Holiday apartment in Ilpendam – Churches, polders and waterways

Ilpendam combines historic village views with polder landscapes and waterways. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Ilpendam, you will find various starting points here for planning your trip: churches and architectural history in the village, routes through the Purmer and paths leading out into the open landscape.

Holiday apartment in Ilpendam between local history and landscape

The Hervormde Kerk at Kerkstraat 19 is a single-nave building with a five-sided apse. Parts date from 1656; it was partially renovated in 1850 and fitted with a west tower in 1868. The tower contains a bell frame with a 123-centimetre-diameter bell made by Gerhard Schimmel in 1682, as well as a mechanical tower clock mechanism by Eijsbouts dating from 1923.

The history of the Heilige Sebastianusparochie also goes back a long way: it began with the construction in 1411 of a chapel dedicated to the Roman martyr Sint Sebastianus. A new church was built in 1656 on the site of a church dedicated to Saint Sebastian that had burned down in 1640. Ilpendam is also notable for its characteristic ribbon development with distinctive buildings.

Another historical reference is Slot Ilpenstein. It was built around 1622 on the site of a redoubt constructed by the Spanish and demolished in 1872. Together with the church and the buildings, this fact makes the local history a tangible part of trip planning.

Waterways and open landscapes

In the 17th century, the towpath connection from Amsterdam to Purmerend was laid directly past Ilpendam. The canal was later widened and incorporated into the Noordhollandsch Kanaal. As a result, the connection between the village, the canal and the polder landscape is one of the defining themes around Ilpendam.

From Ilpendam, BoatVerhuur Waterland takes visitors directly into the open landscape, towards peace, spaciousness and nature. No previous experience or boating licence is required for the boats. The surroundings can be explored on the water; you can rent a boat to discover the 't Varkensland nature reserve.

Cycling routes, polder paths and nature observation

The Hekkenroute starts in Ilpendam and leads through the extensive polders of the Purmer to Edam. Along the way, there are good chances of spotting meadow birds and possibly a kestrel. The route also has 14 stiles.

The Beleef het levend veen cycling route follows a winding dyke to Ilpendam. From there, it offers views across the Purmer, while the difference in elevation of the polder becomes visible. After leaving the centre of Ilpendam, the route crosses the Noordhollandsch Kanaal by ferry and then continues to the Bezoekerscentrum Ilperveld.

The signposted Vurige Staartroute follows the Oudelandsdijkje cycle path on the outward journey and the Purmer grass embankment on the return journey. In addition, the Ilpendam–Landsmeer ferry connects Ilpendam and Landsmeer.

Which accommodation suits your plans

When choosing a holiday apartment in Ilpendam, you can be guided by the activities you want to enjoy during your holiday: local history alongside cycling and polder routes, nature observation alongside excursions on the water. This keeps the choice of accommodation closely connected to the experiences you are seeking in Ilpendam and along the routes described.

More destinations for planning your trip: Marken, Purmer, Broek In Waterland, Zuiderwoude, Monnickendam, Watergang, Uitdam, Katwoude

For the higher-level travel overview: Waterland.