Historic Harbor (de Dijk)

De Dijk is the waterfront promenade of Volendam, a famous fishing village on the IJsselmeer shore of North Holland, and it is the place where most visitors spend their time. The village grew up behind a sea dike, and the promenade runs along the top of it, with the harbour on one side and a long row of wooden houses, restaurants, shops and cafes on the other. It is lively, cheerful and unashamedly touristy, and it keeps a clear sense of its identity as a fishing community.

The harbour is the focus. Traditional wooden fishing boats are often moored alongside modern vessels, giving the quays a mixture of old and new, and the water is busy with excursion boats, including those that run to the island of Marken. The village was once a major centre of the Zuiderzee fishery, and the people made their living from herring, anchovies and eels. Since the Zuiderzee was closed by the Afsluitdijk in 1932 and turned into the freshwater IJsselmeer, the fishing industry has changed completely, but the traditions have survived as part of the village's character and as a draw for visitors.

Walking along the promenade, you will find stands selling fresh herring, smoked eel and other local snacks, and restaurants serving fish of many kinds. Several photographers offer the chance to dress up in traditional Volendam costume and have a portrait taken, a popular souvenir, and the costume, with its distinctive lace cap, is one of the best known regional dresses in the country. Street performers and music add to the atmosphere in summer, and the village has a reputation for popular music, as the home of several well-known Dutch bands. Sunset over the water gives lovely light on the wooden houses.

The village has other attractions nearby. Edam, the old cheese town, is only a few kilometres away and can be reached by bike or bus, and Marken, a small former island with its green wooden houses, is reached by boat or by bus. There are cheese and clog demonstrations in the area, and the wide landscape of the Waterland polders, with its dikes and windmills, is good for cycling. Amsterdam is a short distance by bus.

The harbour is open at all times and free to explore. It suits families, photographers, food lovers and day-trippers, and it is busiest in summer and on weekends, so go early in the morning or in the evening for a calmer experience. Allow a couple of hours for a stroll, a meal and a boat trip.