In this article, I present the town of Edamfamous for its cheese, but with many other points of interest!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the town of Edam in the Netherlands
- What you can see and do on site
- How to reach it easily
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, visit tips
- Things to see and do in the area
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Edam, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Edam: a charming town to discover old Holland!
If visit Amsterdam is an experience in its own right, capable of keeping you busy for several days, the capital's surroundings are well worth a visit. Among the most charming towns is Edam, famous in our region for its cheese.
Here she is!
Presentation of the town of Edam
Edam is a small town in the Netherlands, part of the municipality ofEdam-Volendam. It is located 22 km northeast of Amsterdam, next to the Volendam and less than 20 km from Markena lovely peninsula to visit!
If the name Edam immediately brings to mind cheesethe small town established following the damming of a canal in the 13th century was a major goods transit point. It was a fishing and shipbuilding center for many centuries, with 33 quays in the 16th century, linked to the country's main cities. However, flooding prompted Emperor Charles V to close the port. the port and locksThis led to the slow decline of the fishing industry from the 17th century onwards.
At the same time, it was granted the right to organize a market3 times a year, to boost sales. This right will be transformed into a weekly authorization, from the 16th centuryfor a cheese market that will become the trademark of the town of Edam.
The good news is that he's been rehabilitated in 1989 ! You can find out all about it, along with the other activities I've listed below!
Facts and figures about the town
- There are approximately 7380 inhabitants in the town of Edam
- The municipality of Edam-Volendam has a population of around 29,000.
- It takes its name from the little river E or IJewhich flowed here
- You can walk to Volendam along the coast for about 30 minutes!
What can you see and do in Edam?
Edam can be a pleasant little stopover on a trip to the Netherlands, for its authentic atmosphere. The town seems to have retained its aura from the past, and there's a lot to see!
The canal and its typical houses
Edam's small town center is criss-crossed by a channel which you can walk along. A pleasant stroll to admire the facades of the area's typical houses. From their shapes to their colors, it's a great way to discover the Holland of the past!
The Kerk cave (or Church of St Nicholas)
This massive church, built in the 14th century, is a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Worth a visit for its ornate interior, vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows, as well as its huge carillon and red-brick façade.
The clock tower
This tower, called Speeltoren dates back to the 16th century. It belonged to the former church, which has now disappeared, and its distinctive feature is that its bells are located on the outside! You won't want to miss it in Edam!
Edam town museum
This superb little museum tells the story of the history of the town of Edam. You can learn more about the daily lives of its inhabitants, the interiors of period houses and the furniture used. Special mention must be made of the atypical floating cobblestone cellar!
And what about Cheese?
Of course, it's unthinkable to visit Edam without see, smell or taste local cheeses. To do so, you can enter a cheese dairy and do some shopping, or visit the Edam Cheese Museum. It's a real declaration of love to Edam, as playful as it is interesting!
And if you're lucky enough to pass through the town of Edam in July or AugustDon't miss the not-to-be-missed cheese market! Faithful to old traditions, it's held every year in summer (every Wednesday) and gives you the chance to see Edam cheese being weighed, traded and sold. There's plenty to fill up on, and plenty to enjoy!
How do I get to Edam from Amsterdam?
As mentioned above, Edam is not not far from Amsterdamwith around 22 km separating the two towns. To get there from the capital, simply :
- By train from Amsterdam Central Station to Edam Volendam Station. Then take a bus or cab to Edam.
- By bus from Amsterdam, via companies such as Arriva or EBS
- With a rental carsince it's easy enough to park on site
- And by bike ? Yes, it's possible to get from the capital to Edam in just over 1 hour, via some lovely country roads!
Should you visit Edam on a trip to the Netherlands?
Even if Amsterdam could keep you busy several daysI can only recommend that you visit the pretty little villages in the area such as Edam, Volendam or Marken.
Spend a few hours in one of these small towns and you'll discover a different side of the country. More typicalless hectic, and far more authentic.
A great opportunity to breathe the fresh, pure air of the area, to sample local delicacies and, if you have the time, to stay on site and venture into this area of old holland, so pleasant!
What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Amsterdam guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special Amsterdam guide!
Leave a Reply