Publication date: 03/11/22 | Update date: 03/10/23
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. To visit it, you'll disembark at Muiden harbour, a marina easily accessible, for instance, from the Marina Muiderzand in Almere.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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. If you'd like to find out more about Urk's history, head for the Old Town Hall.
8. Lelystad
Straddling Lake Marken and Lake IJssel, Lelystad is the capital of Flevoland. It boasts modern marinas overlooking both bodies of water, offering direct access to some of the most beautiful harbour villages in the Netherlands. Boaters visiting the Netherlands will find all the services they need at these marinas! A stroll through the city, 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 are just some of the activities on offer.
9. Harderwijk
In Randmeren, on the Wolderwijd, Harderwijk is an ideal stopover if you want to discover a harbour city with a rich history and a modern port. Moor your boat at the quayside and set off on a cycling tour of the Veluwe nature reserve and the old Hanseatic town. Visit, for instance, the Vischpoort and the Vischmarkt, the old fish market. Want to find out more about Harderwijk's history? Pay the Stadsmuseum a visit!
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. Looking for a berth near Zierikzee? Our premium marina in Bruinisse is only a few kilometers away.