Discover Marken: Terps, harbour and history

Marken has been shaped by its history with water. Preserved terps, houses on stilts and maritime traditions give the village its distinctive character. There are also sights and activities that reveal different sides of this heritage – from the lighthouse at the tip of Marken to demonstrations at the Klompenmakerij.

Terps and houses on stilts

As the influence of water grew, Marken’s residents had to live on raised terps. Thirteen of the so-called werven remain today. They illustrate a form of settlement shaped by the conditions of the time. When building on the terps was no longer possible, residents built houses on stilts. Only the upper floors of these houses were inhabited. Both building styles tell of different responses to the same challenge: creating a place to live in water-shaped Marken.

The “Around Marken” route leads over the characteristic terps, through typical streets and through the Kerkbuurt. It brings together several elements of the village’s character in one walk. If you prefer to explore history through spoken stories, you can use the “Walk around Marken” audio tour, which includes eleven stops. A free app plays the audio story automatically when you reach each stop.

Maritime history and living traditions

Floods brought farming and livestock breeding in Marken to an end. The residents then turned to shipping, particularly fishing. Authentic Marker Botters are still moored in the harbour: wooden fishing boats with flat bottoms and distinctive brown sails. The Stichting Marker Botters moors and maintains these boats. The Botters are therefore not just part of maritime history; they are still present in the harbour today.

Traditional dress is also part of Marken’s cultural heritage. It is worn on days such as Koningsdag. If you are interested in history and traditional everyday culture, you can also visit the Marker Museum in the historic village centre. It is housed in six historic buildings. One house has been preserved as it was left in 1982; it contains traditional clothing, a box-bed sleeping alcove and antiques collected by Sijtje Boes herself.

Lighthouse and craftsmanship

Het Paard van Marken stands at the tip of Marken. The lighthouse dates from 1839 and was once used to guide ships from the Wadden Sea to Amsterdam. As it is inhabited, it can only be viewed from the outside. Both its history and the current visiting restriction are relevant to understanding this striking structure.

For another insight into traditional craftsmanship, visit Klompenmakerij Marken. Visitors can see wooden clogs being made there using an authentic steam engine. The demonstration focuses on the manufacturing process, adding a tangible craft to the village’s history rather than focusing only on historic buildings and boats.

Getting there and finding your way around

Marken was connected to the mainland by a causeway in 1957. The centre is car-free: visitors park at the entrance to the village and continue on foot. Alternatively, the crossing between Volendam and Marken on the Volendam-Marken-Express takes about 30 minutes. If you plan to travel by boat, check the timetable for your travel day.

There is also a current restriction to bear in mind if you are planning a walk: large sections of the dyke footpath are expected to remain closed until autumn 2027 because of dyke reinforcement work. Check the latest information before setting out, so you can plan your route accordingly. The mainland connection, the boat crossing and the car-free village centre are different aspects of getting around; for your specific journey, it is worth considering the best option and the current path status.

Discover more destinations: Ilpendam, Monnickendam, Uitdam, Zuiderwoude, Purmer.

See the main travel guide: Waterland.