Hidden treasure - Hotel Spaander
by craigbooth
The Hotel Spaander makes a trip to Volendam worthwhile.
I haven't actually stayed in this hotel, but I have eaten there, and whenever I can I visit the lounge for coffee and appelgebak.
Volendam for me is rather too horribly over-developed for tourism, but this place is an island of real value.
The lounge is a stunning room, which feels like a ship's saloon.
The artwork which covers every square foot of the walls, and has been given by visitor artists since the end of the 19C is fantastic. It alone is worth the trip to Volendam.
Amazingly, it doesn't get too busy, so you really do feel special to have avoided the hordes outside. The sheer pleasure of sitting in Hotel Spaander's lounge
What to do.
by Lalique
The village has a great shopping street, which is the only one there of such type, going along marina. The street is full of souvenir shops and small cafes and restaurants.
MY ADVICE: If you want to buy some souvenirs, go to Volendam. There they are much cheaper than in Amsterdam.
Kindergarten children in traditional costume
by Martin_S.
In the Volendam museum we just happened to catch a group of kindergarten children dressed in traditional Dutch costumes. What the occassion was I could not determine from the people in the museum, so we just enjoyed watching.
TAKING PRECAUTIONS
by hevbell
A lot of the houses along the shoreline sit low behind the road which acts as a dam, to protect the buildings from any flooding. I just love all these typiclally Dutch looking houses with the gabled roofs and such. So much nicer than the plain "boxes" that make up the houses where I live!
EXPLORE THE BACKSTREETS
by hevbell
Since we were there in October, Volendam wasn't nearly as busy as I'm sure it gets in the middle of summer but it was still nice to get away from the really touristy area at the harbour, with all the gift shops & restaurants, and explore some of the quieter backstreets of the old town.
If you look closely at this photo you can just make out one of the typical lift bridges crossing the canal in the background.
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Selection of Dolls
In the backstreets of Volendam
Somewhere to eat?
Fish vendor
