Edam

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    Top attractions in Edam

    See all tours & things to do in Edam

    The 7 Best Things to Do in Edam

    Cheese, canals, and cobblestone lanes, the quaint town of Edam offers visitors
    plenty of attractions amid a postcard-perfect setting. You won't want to miss the
    the entertainment at the Cheese Market on Wednesdays from 10:30AM - 12:30PM
    in July and August.

    • Fort Edam

      1. Fort Edam

      Surrounded by a moat, the fortress was once part of the ring of fortifications around Amsterdam. 255 soldiers once manned the fort, armed with nine machine guns and five cannons.

    • Cheese Market

      2. Cheese Market

      From the 16th century to 1922, local farmers arrived at the Kaasmarkt to sell their
      prized cheese. At one point, the market sold 250,000 rounds of it per year.

    • Cheese Tasting

      3. Cheese Tasting

      Pop into the Kaaswaag, or cheese weigh-house, to sample the delectable dairy
      product. You'll find aged Edam has a slightly salty taste, while the younger
      ones have a hint of nut.

    • 4. Edams Museum

      Located on the Damplein (Dam Square), the museum has exhibits in the City Hall
      and in the former merchant house, which is the city's oldest brick house and has a
      floating cellar.

    • Grote Kerk (St. Nicolaaskerk)

      5. Grote Kerk (St. Nicolaaskerk)

      Named after the patron saint of sailors, St. Nicholas, this is one of the largest in the
      country, with stained-glass windows reflecting coats of arms and historical
      scenes.

    • Windmill Country

      6. Windmill Country

      The best way to explore the countryside crisscrossed by canals is to go by
      bicycle. Edam is one hour from the town of Zaanse Schans and its eight well-
      preserved windmills.

    • Holland by Barge

      7. Holland by Barge

      Barge operators offer comfortable accommodations that traverse the country's
      waterways, stopping at towns along the way. Barges can cater between 8 and 20
      passengers.

    Planning Your Visit

    • How many days to spend in Edam?

      You can see Edam's attractions in one day, but if you need to escape the hustle
      and bustle of Amsterdam, why not stay a few days, exploring the surrounding
      countryside and enjoying small-town Noord-Holland?

    • Getting around

      It's easy to get around the heart of the city and see its top attractions on your
      own two feet. Alternatively, you can rent a bike.
      If you plan to visit Edam for the day from Amsterdam, bus 110 and 316 leave
      every 35 minutes and stop in nearby Volendam.

    • Where to stay in Edam

      You can find accommodations in the very heart of Edam, or, alternatively, Volendam is 1.5 miles away.

    Good to know

    • Language
      Dutch and lots of English
    • Currency
      Euro (€)
    • Time Zone
      UTC (+01:00)
    • Country Code
      +31
    • Best time to visit
      The temperature doesn't get too hot in Edam, which means you can plan your visit for July or August, when the weather is warm and pleasant, the days are longer, and the local cheese farmers bring their wheels to trade in the traditional fashion.

    Things to Do in Edam

    Cities in Netherlands

    Other Sightseeing Options in Edam

    Want to discover all there is to do in Edam? Click here for a full list.

    What people are saying about Edam

    Overall rating

    4.7 / 5

    based on 1,941 reviews

    Just the best day from start to finish, a nice change after the busyness of Amsterdam. Richard (our guide) and Jan (our driver) were both the nicest people you could wish to meet and experience this day with. Starting with visiting the Small church and Big church in the prettiest village learning the history as walked by landmarks and old traditions. Next stop: learn how cheese is traditionally made & taste lots of samples! Move on to Volendam fishing village for spectacular views and a bite to eat before the last stop of the day to see traditional clogs being made and of course see the windmills in their finery.

    Amsterdam: Volendam, Edam and Windmills Live Guided Tour Reviewed by Suzanne, 8/10/2020

    We had a wonderful time with Evelyn (our guide) and Jan (our driver). Because of the very low amount of tourists nowadays due to COVID, we ended up having a private tour. The tour is very convenient because the driving times are very short (everything is close by) and we get to spend a significant amount of time exploring each place we stopped.

    Amsterdam: Volendam, Edam and Windmills Live Guided Tour Reviewed by Rodrigo, 9/14/2020

    I believe, as Steve told us, there are good and excellent tours. And, if you want to have a fantastic experience, you need to go with Private Day Tours 100%. Enough information to not drive yourself tedious or overwhelming, and with a special touch with humour and a great companion. What a legend!

    Dutch Countryside: Private Full-Day Tour by Luxury Car Reviewed by Victor, 8/26/2020

    Best Tour! The tour was awesome and the Windmills were a blast. Had the best cheese ever and hot chocolate at the Zaanse! The tour guide and the driver were extremely helpful and welcoming! A big thank you to them and to The Tour Company. Thanks a million, Leo and Pat

    Amsterdam: Volendam, Edam, & Zaanse Schans Small-Bus Tour Reviewed by Leonardo, 8/30/2020

    Great trip, our guide - Xavi was brilliant, helpful and always with smile. Really reccomend this trip if you want to find out some stuff about area and key points. Great value for the money. Very good and modern bus. Thank you

    Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken Tour Reviewed by Tomasz, 8/9/2020

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