Bunschoten-Spakenburg: Fishing History and Harbor

In Bunschoten-Spakenburg, you can discover maritime history in its museums, shipyards and museum harbor. There are also waterside trails and insights into traditional dress and crafts. You can tailor your stay to the topics that interest you most.

Fishing and Shipyards

The Visafslag is a Rijksmonument (national heritage site) and a rare, well-preserved example of a historic fish auction. Visitors can sit on the old benches, watch a demonstration and take part in the auction. Groups of 12 to 60 people can visit the Visafslag by appointment between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. From May, it is open to everyone on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; visitors can watch a short film and receive assistance from a volunteer. Admission is free. Check the opening hours before your visit.

The Museumhaven has served as a mooring place for botters used by Zuiderzee fishermen since the 13th century. Spakenburg is home to a third of the entire botter fleet in the Netherlands. The Botterwerf Spakenburg is also part of the maritime working heritage: it dates back to 1750 and is still in daily operation. Its slipway can accommodate four botters at a time for maintenance. Another shipyard, Scheepswerf Nieuwboer, has been operating at its current location since 1675 and is also open daily; however, it is not open to the public.

A trip on an authentic fishing boat takes you through the old harbor and out onto part of the Eemmeer. A guide is on board; the schedule may vary seasonally. During the Spakenburgse Dagen, the museum harbor filled with botters, which visitors could take out onto the Eemmeer. The 2026 edition was held for the 54th time. Residents showcased traditional dress, music and dance; the program also included activities for children.

Museums and Living Traditions

The Museum Spakenburg is located at the old harbor, opposite a centuries-old shipyard. Covering more than 1,500 square meters, it features, among other things, fishermen’s houses, a farmhouse, a shop, a school, a smokehouse and a rotating exhibition. The Klederdracht- & Visserijmuseum focuses on a different subject: during the summer months, more than 100 traditional-costume dolls are on display. They depict different stages of life, from infancy and marriage to various periods of mourning. The museum is wheelchair accessible; knowledgeable staff are available to lead tours or provide explanations.

Korenmolen de Hoop also offers a glimpse into a traditional craft. When there is enough wind, it operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays; visitors can watch the millers at work and buy freshly milled flour. Check the opening hours in advance. At Handwerkhuis, you’ll find folk-art products and Spakenburg fabrics, as well as craft supplies and wool from various brands, including Katia, Lana Grossa, Phildar and Scheepjes.

On Foot, by Bike or on the Water

A guided walk through the historic center takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. The route passes the old and new harbors, fishermen’s houses and the Visafslag; along the way, you’ll hear stories and anecdotes about Spakenburg. You can also do the walk independently, and it is suitable for all ages, including children. If you’re planning a guided tour, check the date before you travel.

For a bike ride, the Rondje om Spakenburg route takes in several aspects of the landscape. It starts next to the shipyard at the TOP-point Museum Spakenburg, follows the Oostdijk along the former Zuiderzee and offers views of the Eemmeer. The route continues through the polder landscape to old farmhouses on the Eemdijk and to the Palendijk. Other cycling routes from Spakenburg start along the dike beside the Eemmeer and offer views of the water, bird species, old farmhouses and the polder landscape. The former Zuiderzee remains recognizable as a historical landscape name.

If you’d rather be on the water, you can rent a sloop or sailboat in Spakenburg. From the Eem, you can see old farmhouses; the trip can continue via the Randmeren to Amersfoort. This gives you different ways to experience the area: a walk through the historic center, a bike ride through the polder landscape or a trip on the water.

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