Lovely day trip from Amsterdam: visit Monnickendam

This post is also available in:

Latest update: 27 July 2022

Picturesque and idyllic. That’s how Monnickendam is usually described. The words are a bit cliché to describe a town, but they are wholly justified in this case. Because wow, what a cute town it is. So let’s see what you can do in Monnickendam on a day trip from Amsterdam.

Discover the old center of Monnickendam

Monnickendam is a cozy town that is close to Amsterdam. It’s only a twenty-minute drive by car (try Sunny Cars or EasyTerra for car rental) or a little over half an hour by public transport. You can easily discover it on foot, and there is plenty to see. Monnickendam has 74 national monuments: from a wooden bridge to historic houses with unique facades.

Due to fire, the ancient buildings have unfortunately been destroyed. So the ones you now see, most of them are from the 17th century. Only the Speeltoren from 1355 is still standing tall. It’s the oldest building in the city. The Saint Nicholas Church is free to visit. It regularly hosts exhibitions.

Waterlands Museum de Speeltoren

The Speeltoren is now home to the Waterlands Museum de Speeltoren. They proudly say that they are exhibiting the most out-of-tune carillon in Europe. A carillon is a musical instrument with bells that you play with ropes. The carillon is already about 500 years old; that’s why the sound is pretty bad. The bells hang in the Speeltoren, and you can also see them in the museum to see how the instrument works.

The museum also pays attention to the history of the landscape in Waterland (the municipality to which Monnickendam belongs), artists from the area, and the shipping and fishing past.

Tip! Are you with 6 people or more? Then Museumhuis Timmerman will be happy to open its doors for you. Contact them.

City walk through Monnickendam

The tourist office of Laag Holland has mapped out a few lovely walks through the city. What about exploring historic Monnickendam with a walking route of only two kilometers? Or read alternately with your walking partner during the dialogue walk, or download the PDF for the facade stone route. It leads you past different houses, and you can read more about the meaning of the gable stones.

City brewery at the harbor

Monnickendam is located on the Markermeer. Waterland Brewery has found a beautiful spot for the brewery and tasting room in the harbor. Bierderij Waterland is the beer lab and tasting room of the brewery. On a sunny day, it is lovely outside. I’m getting a bit of beach club vibes. And I get delicious beers. I try the Silver beer and food tasting with three beers of my choice. The snack platter is huge – I’m not going anywhere anytime soon!

Google Maps location Bierderij Waterland

Tea garden Overleek for a high tea in Monnickendam

Just outside the center, on the water, between the meadows, is the delightful Theehuis Overleek. A small oasis with free-range chickens, homemade cakes, or even a high tea. You can’t make a reservation, so just go on the spec. Surely they’ll have a spot for you.

Google Maps location Theetuin Overleek

Sailing with a whisper boat

Rent a cute whisper boat to discover the Monnickendam area by water. You get on at Theetuin Overleek, and from there, you sail through the beautiful nature reserve and past the various villages. You can even bring a picnic. Of course, you have to book in advance, but no worries: you can cancel free of charge if the weather is terrible, now that’s good service.

Combining Monnickendam with Volendam

Monnickendam is also perfect for visiting from Volendam. Rent a bicycle, fat bike, or e-scooter in Volendam and head out. Highly recommended! Highly recommended!