Marken

Marken is a village in Zaanstreek-Waterland, North Holland, Netherlands. It is known for its characteristic wooden houses and traditional costumes. It's a peninsula in the IJsselmeer lake, but connected to the mainland by a causeway.

Understand
This picturesque little village was originally situated on an island. Floods were regular and often disastrous. To protect their belongings and themselves from the water, the inhabitants created artificial dwelling hills on which they build their houses. As fishery became the main economic activity, the population grew rapidly. When the Afsluitdijk was finished in 1932, and the Zuiderzee became the fresh water IJsselmeer with no access to the sea, fishery activities came to an end. When the dike between Marken and the mainland was closed in 1957, Marken wasn't even a real island anymore. Nevertheless, the village still has the looks and feel of a fishermen's town and an island. For over a century, it has drawn in visitors who wanted a glance at its traditional costumes and picturesque houses.



Get in
The N518 connects Marken to nearby Monnickendam. There, it connects to the N247. If you're coming from Amsterdam, take the A10 and then follow the N247 and N518 to Marken.


 * Bus 311 runs from Amsterdam to Marken and back, and passes through Broek in Waterland and Monnickendam.
 * Bus 610 connects Marken to Volendam

In the main tourist season, 24 March - 6 November in 2011, there's also a ferry connection to Volendam, which leaves about once in 30 to 45 minutes.

A great way to get to Marken is by bike. There are many cycle routes that will take you there.
 * From Amsterdam Central Station - Marken Cycle Route (51 or 45 km).
 * From Purmerend train station - Volendam Cycle Route (45 or 37 km).

Get around
Marken is a village and you can easily get around on foot. Alternatively, you can rent a bike via:

Volendam and Monnickendam have a larger number of bike rental options, and are a comfortable biking distances from the peninsula.

See
Marken's main attraction lies in its lovely old wooden houses, traditional atmosphere and folklorist elements.Traditional costumes are now rarely worn, and usually for tourist purposes, but are still fun to see. Many of the wooden houses are listed as National Heritage Sites and some are placed on wooden poles, to protect them from the water. The main sights include:

Buy
Marken has been a popular tourist destination for decades and souvenirs are all around. You'll find a good range at the Sijtje Boes house, which is the oldest souvenir store in town. Marker Folklorestoffen (Buurt II 5) sells the typical fabrics that you the traditional Marker costumes were made of. On Rietland 4 there's a shop that sells the actual costumes.

Eat
There are a few restaurants. As Marken is originally a fishermen's town, there's a lot of sea food around. Hotel Hof van Marken also has a restaurant.

Sleep
Accommodation is limited on the peninsula, and most people stay in Amsterdam, Volendam or Monnickendam. There is a hotel though, and it gets good reviews.

Go next
Nearby villages include:
 * Monnickendam
 * Volendam
 * Broek in Waterland