Publication date: 03/11/22 | Update date: 09/12/25
1. Muiden
Muiden is the first of the Netherlands’ most beautiful port towns that we’d like to recommend to you. This small town on the IJmeer has a special charm all of its own. It’s most famous for its medieval castle: the Muiderslot. The port of Muiden is a marina that is very easily accessible for a day trip or a cruise by motorboat or sailing boat.
The closest ports to our network for visiting Muiden:
- Marina Muiderzand in Almere (5 nautical miles)
- Our marinas in Lelystad (+/- 20 nautical miles)
2. Volendam
Volendam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Netherlands, and not without good reason: when you disembark in this harbour on Lake Marken, you’ll immediately notice the original atmosphere! Stroll through the Doolhof and Oude Kom districts and discover the historic heart of Volendam, with its narrow streets and picturesque bridges. Other options include a visit to the Palingsound Museum, the Volendam Museum or the Cheese Factory.
The closest ports to our network for travelling to Volendam:
- Marina Muiderzand (approximately 20 nautical miles)
- Our marinas in Lelystad (+/- 20 nautical miles)
3. Hoorn
Once one of the most important harbours of the Dutch East India Company, Hoorn still bears witness to its former activities. With your boat moored in this Markermeer port of call, you’ll be surrounded by historic buildings and authentic sailing ships. You can visit the famous and imposing Hoofdtoren, a former defense tower, the Westfries Museum or the museum dedicated to the 20th century. Don’t miss the statue of local figure Jan Pieterszoon Koen!
The closest ports within our network for exploring Hoorn:
- Marina Muiderzand (moins de 30 milles nautiques)
- Our marinas in Lelystad (+/- 30 nautical miles)
4. Enkhuizen
Easily reachable from a marina in Lelystad, Enkhuizen is a destination not to be missed. From the picturesque harbour, you can disembark right in the center of Enkhuizen and explore the more than 350 national monuments in the town. Among them, the Koepoort, the Zuiderkerk and the Drommedaris, a 16th-century residential tower, are well worth a visit! You can also visit the Zuiderzee Museum and the Sprookjeswonderland landscape park. Last but not least, Enkhuizen is a town renowned for its herring fishing activities: don’t hesitate to try this specialty!
The ports closest to Enkhuizen within the Port Adhoc network:
- Marina Muiderzand (moins de 30 milles nautiques)
- Our marinas in Lelystad (+/- 15 nautical miles)
5. Sneek
On your Friesian lake shipping route, moor your boat in the pleasant town of Sneek: this Friesian destination is literally surrounded and traversed by water, promising an exceptional stay. In the town, you can admire, for instance, the Waterpoort, the watergate to the town, or the Martini church, almost a century old. Are you more of a cultural visitor? Then pay the Fries Scheepvaart Museum a visit.
Our port closest geographically to Sneek:
- Our marinas in Lelystad (+/- 45 nautical miles)
6. Medemblik
Located on the IJssel lake, or IJsselmeer, the town of Medemblik is a picturesque, historic harbour town also worth discovering on a boat cruise. It’s best known for its old buildings, traditional sailing boats and bakery museum.
Our marinas closest to Medemblik:
- Our marinas in Lelystad (+/- 30 nautical miles)
- Marina Muiderzand, in Almere (40 nautical miles)
- Jachthaven Naarden (43 nautical miles)
7. Urk
Still on the IJsselmeer, just 13 nautical miles from the marinas of Lelystad, Lelystad Haven and Deko Marina Lelystad, Urk is another of the Netherlands’ most beautiful harbour cities. Here, hundreds of people still wear traditional costumes! Directly on the harbour, you can discover a unique lighthouse, the Little Church by the Sea built in 1600, a monument commemorating the memory of fishermen lost at sea and Michiel de Ruyter’s Anchor of the Fleet. In the city centre of Urk, you’ll find numerous stores and restaurants, and can visit the Vishal, the fish market.
Our marinas closest to Urk:
- Our marinas in Lelystad (+/- 10 nautical miles)
- Marina Muiderzand, in Almere (32 nautical miles)
- Jachthaven Naarden (35 nautical miles)
8. Lelystad
Straddling Lake Marken and Lake IJssel, Lelystad is the capital of Flevoland. It has modern marinas overlooking both lakes, offering direct access to the most beautiful harbour villages in the Netherlands.
The programme for discovering the destination includes a city walk, a visit to Batavialand – the maritime museum dedicated to the maritime history of the Netherlands – or an excursion to the Marker Wadden islands to discover the local flora and fauna!
Our ports in Lelystad:
9. Dordrecht
Another beautiful port city in the Netherlands, in South Holland, is Dordrecht. Located at the junction of several major rivers – the Meuse, Merwede and Rhine – the city has long prospered thanks to trade and water transport. Today, Dordrecht still has a strong identity: many visitors want to discover it – and often reach it by boat thanks to the Dutch inland waterways.
You can explore the historic city centre on foot or by bike, stroll through the parks and gardens, visit the Grote Kerk and Kunst Kerk churches, and linger at the Groothoofdspoort: the majestic gate that symbolises the city and bears witness to the importance that Dordrecht has had over the centuries.
Our marinas closest to Dordrecht:
- Jachthaven Strijensas (less than 10 nautical miles)
- Marina Cape Helius, in Hellevoetsluis (25 nautical miles)
10. Zierikzee
Finally, if you’re sailing in Zeeland, we recommend a visit to the beautiful harbour city of Zierikzee. A relatively wealthy trading town in the early Middle Ages, Zierikzee boasts a remarkable harbour, town watergate, town hall and church. Here you’ll find over 500 monuments, pleasant stores and lovely terraces to stroll along. The Sint-Lievensmonster tower is one of the main sights not to be missed.
Our marinas closest to Zierikzee:
- Jachthaven Bruinisse (less than 15 nautical miles)
- Jachthaven Strijensas (33 nautical miles)
- Marina Cape Helius, in Hellevoetsluis (40 nautical miles)
