Enkhuizen between Zuiderzee history and waterways

Enkhuizen leads directly into its harbour and city history with the Drommedaris: the building, also known as Ketenpoort, was constructed in 1540 as a city gate and defensive tower and overlooked the city’s harbours and the former Zuiderzee. Since 1959, the Drommedaris has operated as a cultural centre; its programme includes performances of music, theatre, film and other genres, as well as cabaret, dance and children’s theatre.

The historic centre of Enkhuizen comprises 361 officially protected monuments; the city can be crossed on foot in around 15 minutes. The Westerkerk, also known as St Gomarus Church, is located in the historic centre and is one of the 100 most beautiful officially protected monuments in the Netherlands. The Koepoort is one of Enkhuizen’s two surviving city gates and dates from the 17th century. De Librije is the only surviving 17th-century municipal library in the Netherlands at its original location. Westerstraat 125 is also home to the Munt, the building where VOC coins were minted.

Culture and museums

The Zuiderzee Museum is dedicated to the history, present and future of the former Zuiderzee; communities, crafts and water are at its heart. The museum has two locations: the Treasure House and the Zuiderzee Village. At the open-air museum, the programme includes demonstrations of net making and net repair, historical depictions of everyday life featuring a 1900 family kitchen, and shopping experiences based on historical examples.

The museum collection Saet & Cruyt is an integral part of Sow to Grow, A Plant Science Experience, and brings the history of horticultural seed production to life through historical tools and objects. Sow to Grow is also a visitor experience focusing on food and plants, based on self-directed learning, discovery and hands-on experience. The Flessenscheepjes Museum displays 1,000 ships in bottles, several hundred of which are on permanent display.

Experiences for different age groups

At the Flessenscheepjes Museum, children can discover ships in bottles during a children’s treasure hunt using a map and various tasks. Sprookjeswonderland offers attractions, performances and fairy-tale displays, as well as a playground, a petting zoo and ornamental gardens. Another special way to explore the city is a historic escape route through Enkhuizen, based on puzzles and adventures.

The Jazz Festival takes place in Enkhuizen every year. The “Canon van Enkhuizen” route is 6.7 kilometres long, includes 17 information panels and can be started at VVV Enkhuizen. Along the way, it shares local stories about Enkhuizen sea heroes, painters and photographers, women, the Battle on the Zuiderzee and everyday life.

Cycling through polders and countryside

The 31-kilometre “Langs dijken en velden” cycling route starts in Enkhuizen, passes through Lutjebroek and Westwoud to Venhuizen, and returns via the Zuiderdijk along the IJsselmeer. Along this route, there are stalls selling fresh regional products from local farmers, producers and plant breeders. The different lengths of the walking and cycling routes provide a clear timeframe for planning the day.

Canals, harbours and ferry connections

From Enkhuizen’s historic centre, visitors can take canal cruises or rent a boat to explore the waterways and the open West Frisian countryside. Enkhuizen has several harbours, including marinas and its own harbour for historic ships of the brown fleet. Through locks, boats can travel from the city centre to the IJsselmeer and the Markermeer.

Bicycles can be taken on the ferry connections from Enkhuizen to Medemblik, Stavoren and Urk. The Museum Steam Tram offers a day trip from Enkhuizen via Medemblik to Hoorn, starting in the harbour of Enkhuizen.

Park and historic waterways

The Snouck van Loosenpark is a historic, green park associated with one of the earliest social housing projects in the Netherlands. The historic Boerenhoek comprises canals, ditches and waterways that connected the city farms with the lands in the polder. The Oude Gouwsboom is a historic water gate in Enkhuizen’s fortifications; the fortress has two water gates.

For the overarching travel overview: North Holland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Koggenland, Wormerland, Heemskerk, Bloemendaal, Naarden, Huizen, Edam-Volendam.