Souvenir Shops on Hoofdstraat

Marken is a small village in North Holland that was an island in the Zuiderzee until a causeway joined it to the mainland in 1957, and it has long been one of the favourite destinations for day trips from Amsterdam. The reason is simple. Its green wooden houses on piles, its harbour, its lighthouse and its air of having been left behind by time make it a very picturesque place, and the traditions of dress and craft that survive here add to the charm. Where visitors come, shops follow, and a stroll through the village inevitably passes a number of small stores selling souvenirs, mostly on the main street and in the harbour district.

The typical stock reflects the image of the Netherlands that visitors expect to take home. Wooden clogs, in plain and painted versions and in miniature as key rings and ornaments, are the best-known item, along with small wooden windmills, Delft blue ceramics, tulip-themed gifts, cheese and stroopwafels, postcards and prints. Some shops specialise in items related to the island itself, such as models of the local boats, figures dressed in the Marken costume with its striped skirt and cap, and books about the history of the village. Smoked fish, one of the traditional foods of the Zuiderzee, is sold in the village, and some shops stock local jam and sweets. Quality ranges from cheap mass-produced goods to genuine handmade items, so it pays to ask where things were made.

The shops have their own history. In the mid-twentieth century, as tourism grew, a few local families opened businesses in their own cottages, selling directly to the coach parties that arrived. One of these women is remembered in the village as a pioneer of the trade, and her shop, still in operation, is reputed to be the best known. The details of her story vary, and visitors who are interested can ask in the shops. Tourism has become a major part of the local economy, and the visitors help to keep the traditions and the buildings alive, although the village has also tried to protect its quiet residential character.

Practical points are simple. Shops are generally open every day, with longer hours in the summer, and they take cash and cards. Browsing is free. Bargaining is not usual. Bring a bag, and avoid weekends in high season if you prefer quiet.

The street suits families, souvenir hunters and day trippers, and a stroll takes about an hour, with time for a coffee and a pancake. Marken is reached by bus from Amsterdam via Monnickendam. Combine it with the museums, the harbour and the lighthouse.