From Volendam through North Holland
A bicycle route through Purmerend and past fish auction Volendam.
From the fish auction In Volendam, the route goes along the dike where the sweet smell of the water in the Markermeer can be smelled. Along a straight line, the route runs through the polders to Purmerend. The town originated as a trading settlement on the River Where for fishing and shipping. The town is surrounded by polders, such as the Purmer, the Beemster and the Wormer, which were reclaimed in the 17th century. A droogmakerij is a drained area that used to be a lake. Nowhere is this more common than in the Netherlands. The town of Purmerend became the market center of the area. Museums and national monuments are on the route. The route winds along the Noordhollandsch Kanaal and makes a turn at De Rijp. The characteristic straight roads lead towards Middenbeemster. This is the oldest village in the Beemster with partly a protected village sight. Driving through Edam on a Wednesday in July or August, you may find the Cheese Market. Continuing through Volendam and past the fish auction, you can look back on a fine cycle route at your final destination with satisfaction.