Opmeer: Agricultural Show, Walking Routes and History

Opmeer combines a recurring event with signposted paths, longer routes and historical sites. When planning your stay, it makes a difference whether the agricultural show, an outdoor excursion or a historic site is your main focus. Boats also offer a way to explore the surroundings from the water; children’s birthday parties with mini golf can be held at De Pyramide.

The agricultural show as a reason to visit

The Opmeer Agricultural Show has been held all day on the first Monday in August for 110 years. At the show, the agricultural sector presents its full breadth to a large audience. This makes the event day a clear focus for travel planning. The 2026 edition combined an agricultural trade fair with shows, competitions, demonstrations and family activities. The exact programme may vary from year to year. If you are planning your visit around a particular programme item, check the details for the relevant edition.

Walking and comparing routes

Several walking routes are signposted in the centre of Opmeer; one starting point is at the municipal building. You can also go for walks in the village centres and the surrounding countryside.

Two named routes differ considerably in length. The “Landscape and Nature” walking loop is 13 km long and focuses on nature in Opmeer. The seasonal Opmeer Tulip Route runs for more than 30 km through the polders of the municipalities of Opmeer and Koggenland; it can only be completed on foot or by bicycle. The distances provide a concrete comparison for planning your route; with the Tulip Route, you also need to choose between walking and cycling. As the route is seasonal, check the dates when planning your visit.

Another option is the Opmeer Doortraproute: it briefly enters the neighbouring municipality of Hollands Kroon via the hamlet of de Lage Hoek, then returns along the Weelpolder near Aartswoud. As route conditions can change, check the current route before setting out.

Out on the water

Botenverhuur Opmeer rents out boats that let you explore the surroundings from the water. When you hire a boat, you receive a map showing suitable routes. This means that boat hire comes with its own route guidance for exploring from the water.

History and special occasions

The Short Stirling Monument in Opmeer commemorates the crew of an Allied Short Stirling bomber that crashed on 11 May 1941. The memorial includes a bomber propeller blade, a steel V-shaped frame, a plaque and a brick plinth.

At Museum ’t Loosje, a tour traces the 85-year history of Simon Loos. Unlike the monument, which commemorates a single incident, the tour focuses on a longer history.

De Wip is a house built around 1700, originally a Saxon farmhouse. It later served as a café, where workers involved in draining the Wieringermeer would stop for a drink after work.

The first drawbridge was built here in 1591, when an old overtoom was replaced by a lock with a drawbridge.

Children’s birthday parties with mini golf can be held at De Pyramide. If a birthday is the reason for your stay, you can ask De Pyramide directly for details about the celebration.

Discover more destinations: De Weere, Aartswoud, Hoogwoud.

Go to the main travel overview: Opmeer.