Things to do & places to visit in Enkhuizen, North Holland Province, The Netherlands

In one of the largest civil engineering works undertaken anywhere in the world during the 20th century, what was once a sea called the Zuiderzee, was turned into a combination of reclaimed land called polders and a huge lake, now known as the IJsselmeer. To fully appreciate the scale of this project, drive into town, first through the Flevoland polder to Lelystad. Then the approach to this beautiful town is via the 30-kilometer (19-mile) long dyke. You will not get a better impression of the scale of the work that took place. You first drive through mile after mile of reclaimed land, then on a road that goes right over the 'sea', with water on both sides. Enkhuizen itself was once one of the main operational bases of the East India Company (VOC). The town today is a water lovers' paradise. Boats abound; at times, every second street seems to be a canal. The Zuiderzeemuseum here has both an inside and outside section. It is devoted to the history of the Zuiderzee and the cultural heritage of the town.

Enkhuizen city in , North Holland Province, The Netherlands. Timezone: Europe/Amsterdam, current date and time: Thursday, May 16, 2024, 3:00.

Enkhuizen Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

61°F - 48°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly and breezy

Feels like

24%

Chance of rain

74.0 millimeters

Amount

15.8 mph

Wind speed

74%

Humidity

15.7

Daylight length

5:43 AM

Sunrise

9:27 PM

Sunset

47%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (19)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Sow to Grow (6 reviews)
- heel informatief museum
Thursday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Science Museums • Educational sites • Children's Museums • History Museums

In Sow to Grow you will experience the history, future of plantbreeding. In a historical environment, with modern media you will discover the origin of our food. Learn about the importance of plants in the foodsupply and the way in which they contribute to a healthy lifestyle and feel good moments. Real objects, movies and animations on a tablet, and do-activities will make your visit to an instructive experience you will never forget. From now on free admittence with Museumkaart. See more..
5.0 De Graaff Van Enckhuysen (1 review)
Speciality & Gift Shops
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4.5 Zuiderzeemuseum (1.132 reviews)
- Fun for the children and not only :)
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours History Museums

The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen revives the stories of people who once lived on the shores of the Zuiderzee. See, hear, taste and smell everyday life around the Zuiderzee as it was before the Afsluitdijk (IJsselmeer Barrier Dam) changed the sea into the IJsselmeer in 1932. The Zuiderzee Museum is oriented toward the history, the current situation and the future of this area. It focuses upon the themes of water, crafts and communities. This story is visualized in the Outdoor Museum with historical buildings, and in the Indoor Museum with thematic exhibitions. See more..
4.5 Sprookjeswonderland (301 reviews)
- Best amusement park for young children!!
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks • Rides & Activities • Playgrounds

Our kids (2,6 and 7 years old) enjoyed this park to the maximum! All games are suitable for their age. Also the fairy tales mini village, that was so much fun. We needed around 3 hours to finish the whole park (the weather was a bit rainy, so we were almost the only visitors , with a couple of other families , so on normal days, the park would certainly need 4 hours to finish). The staff was so nice. So much recommended for families with younger children. See more..
4.5 Snouck Van Loosen park (65 reviews)
- End 19th century version of social housing project
Parks

The concept of the last Snouck van Loosen family member seems to have been: working class people could also live in a park-like environment. In contrast to similar social housing projects in earlier centuries known as 'hofjes' (small courts) this one includes a park and houses that look like villas (housing several families). Very pleasant to walk around (not far from the railway station). See more..
4.5 Flessenscheepjes Museum (39 reviews)
- Unexpected but interesting!
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

My friend and I went on a day trip to Enkhuizen and didn’t plan to visit this museum, but when we walked past we were immediately intrigued. A museum about ships in a bottle? We talked to the lady who gave us a tour. The amount of remarkable ships (and many other things) that are in these bottles is amazing, and a video that shows how it’s done really clarifies a lot. Besides it being a museum, the building itself also holds a piece of Enkhuizer hostory in it’s heart, but the friendly lady of the museum can tell you all about it. Absolutely worth a visit. Entry is cheap, it won’t take up much of your time, but there is lots to see and learn! See more..
4.5 Cultureel Centrum Drommedaris (28 reviews)
- Convenient and Beautiful
Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Concerts • Theatre & Performances

The monumental tower (1540) is a well-known landmark. As a vivid stage for all cultural reated activities, the Drommedaris connects, inspires and moves. The versatility of the Drom is showcased throughout all the activities that take place behind these thick walls: enjoy a night out in our theatre, drift away while listening to the best musicians, watch the latest movies in the cinema, have a laugh at a cabaret show or hang out and relax in Drombar. Or get married here! Everything is possible in this one-of-a-kind tower that has a long history and a bright future ahead! See more..
4.5 Zuiderkerk (27 reviews)
- From the early 1400s
Churches & Cathedrals

They started construction work in 1422! Imagine the foundation had to be made in swampy terrain. The walls of the church are as high as the foundation walls were deep. Completed in 1458. The tower was ready seven decades later. From a present-day perspective it is astonishing to see how people were motivated to build such a huge church, as soon as they had more resources than necessary to survive at a minimal subsistence level. Early 1400s Holland was poor and still they built a structure that lasts till today. See more..
4.5 Westerkerk (23 reviews)
- Gothic style church with exceptional wooden tower
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Completed in 1540, but extensions and changes were made during subsequent ages. Striking is the wooden tower standing alone next to the main building from 1519 (currently under repair). It took some 70 years to build the church. Younger than the nearby Zuiderkerk, but more spacious. Interesting to hear the floor of the church contains more than 1500 tombstones. See more..
4.5 VVV Enkhuizen (5 reviews)
- Efficient and friendly
Spent < 1 hour Visitor Centers

At a central location, just opposite the railwaystation, this office offers good advice on what to do in Enkuizen. They also provide you with a small map (very useful to find your way around). A pity some attractive buildings like Koepoort and Westerkerk are under repair. Very friendly helpful staff. See more..
4.5 Waterpoort Oude Gouwsboom (1593) (2 reviews)
- Wonderful watergate
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

This is another picturesque watergate, part of the "Veste" (fortification) of Enkhuizen. Dating from 1608 the gate also functioned as a sluice and not just to control boat traffic. It is possible to walk or even cycle on the "Veste". Highly recommended. See more..
4.5 Cortshuis (1617) (2 reviews)
- Dutch Renaissance style house in historic part of Enkhuizen
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

The house of the "marktmeester" (marketmaster) dates from 1617 and was once regarded as having the loveliest Renaissance style facade in North-Holland. Indeed a colorful beautifully ornamented facade demonstrating progress and wealth in the newly independent territories early 17th century. The seven provinces in the north defeated Spain and prospered. Reason for celebration. See more..
4.0 Stadsgevangenis van Enkhuizen uit 1612 (15 reviews)
- Nice piece of history.
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

A really croocked building. The inside is small but historical. The information is interesting, the old floors and cells are well preserved.. It's sometimes a bit creepy, and croocked. When you turn to fast in a cell you can get seasick of it. But it's amazing to see, would really recommend visiting this when you can. Entry fee is really cheap, a bit to cheap I would say... would pay more for it. See more..
4.0 Stadhuis van Enkhuizen uit 1688 (14 reviews)
- Candide et Constanter (Honest and Steadfast)
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Square building that looks a bit like a smaller version of the palace on Dam square in Amsterdam. Vellekoop, the architect was the son of a partner of the famous Jacob van Kampen. One can tell that it is from a period -late 17th century- when the heydays of Enkhuizen are over (only the facade is nicely ornamented). Still, a monumental building worth having a look at. See more..
4.0 De Westerpoort of Koepoort uit 1654 (14 reviews)
- Part of the city wall (vesting) walking path
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

About an hour walking on the old city walls around the west side of the city-boundary, great for an afternoon run or stroll, beautiful old hazelnut trees. Nice historical City gate part of the defence structure. See more..
4.0 Rijksmonument Snouck van Loosenhuis uit 1742 (10 reviews)
- Beautiful restored historical building not always open
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

This building on "de Breed straat" is beautifully restored, but not always open for the public to view See more..
4.0 Gebhard Ferry (6 reviews)
- Charming ride on historic ship
Spent 1-2 hours Ships

Enjoyed the spacious salon and wide windows of this old restored ship, travel in comfort and leisure. See more..
4.0 Waterpoort De Boerenboom (1593) (2 reviews)
- Watergate Enkhuizen
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

In order to improve defence and control of the west side of Enkhuizen a "vest" (fortification) was built in 1593. At intervals watergates were made to control boat traffic. De Boerenboom is one of them, built in 1608. See more..
4.0 Pakhuis "Het Peperhuis" (17e eeuw) (1 review)
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

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4.0 Oude Weeshuis (17e eeuw) (1 review)
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

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4.0 Station Enkhuizen (1 review)
- Once crucial to link up Holland and Friesland
Architectural Buildings

The station building dates from 1885, the year the first railway connection with Hoorn and Amsterdam was completed. At the time the station also was an important connection with Stavoren and Leeuwarden across the then Zuiderzee by ferryboat. The dock is (still) next to the station. See more..
4.0 De Enkhuizer Waag (1 review)
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

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3.0 Synagoge Enkhuizen (1791-1964) (2 reviews)
- Modest end 18th century synagoge, now in use by Christians
Churches & Cathedrals

Completed in 1791, this modest synagoge served its purpose for more than 170 years. Built during a time when the Netherlands still was a predominant Protestant state and religious minorities were only to some extent tolerated. Like other minorities in Enkhuizen the Jewish Dutch population kept a low profile and blended in as much as possible. No wonder the synagoge was built in neo-classical style, end 18th century the prevailing style. Most Enkhuizer Jews survived WOII, the sjoel remained untouched. Now in use by the Hersteld Apostolische Zendingkerk. See more..
3.0 Bakkersgildehuis (1639) (1 review)
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

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3.0 Doopsgezinde Kerk Enkhuizen (1892) (1 review)
- Sober en ernstig
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

Aan de Venedie in Enkhuizen tref je een wat somber ogend kerkgebouw aan, de Doopsgezinde Kerk. Doopsgezinden noemen zowel de preek als hun kerkgebouw "Vermaning", dus wat je ziet is de Vermaning van Enkhuizen. Deze Vermaning, in neo-renaissance stijl, werd in 1892 in gebruik genomen. Hij verving een eerdere Vermaning op dezelfde locatie, namelijk een kerkgebouw uit 1798. Dit eind 18e eeuw gebouw verving indertijd weer een doopsgezinde schuilkerk uit ongeveer 1630. De huidige kerk oogt zoals gesteld nogal somber, ondanks de vele decoratieve natuurstenen hoekblokken, spanningsbogen en speklagen. De kerkzaal is t.o.v. de ingangspartij dwars geplaatst. Aardige rondboogvensters. Ook het interieur is sober, maar dat is bij vrijwel alle doopsgezinde kerken het geval. Een preekstoel uit 1650 is toegevoegd, na koop van een kerk in Appeltern. See more..
3.0 Staverse Poortje (17e Eeuw) (1 review)
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

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3.0 Lutherse Kerk Enkhuizen (1 review)
Churches & Cathedrals

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3.0 Speeltuinvereniging Kindervreugde (1 review)
- Nostalgische speeltuin
Playgrounds

Nostalgische speeltuin met klassieke, veilige speeltoestellen voor (kleine) kinderen met (groot-)ouders op een terras waar heerlijke koffie wordt geschonken. See more..
La Vie En Rose Damesmode (0 review)
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality & Gift Shops
La Vie en Rose, zowel in de Westerstraat als online dé winkel voor jouw nieuwe favoriete outfit, van top tot teen! Duurzaam, draagbaar, on trend!" Merken: King Louie | Zilch | Seasalt Cornwall | White Stuff | Danefae Copenhagen | Froy & Dind | DuMilde | Cissi och Selma | Fox's Mode | John Hanly | Nell by La Vie | The English Soap Company | Eribé. Assortiment: Damesmode: Jurken, rokken, broeken, jassen, tops, truien, blouses, jumpsuits, vesten, kortom álles! Beenmode: Pantys, maillots, sokken. Sieraden: Oorbellen, kettingen, armbanden, ringen. Accessoires: Shawls, tassen, riemen, baretjes, handschoenen. Wonen: Dekens, kussens, zeep, bekers. Liefs, Hanneke van La Vie en Rose Damesmode. See more..
Liquor/Wine Store the Dike (0 review)
Speciality & Gift Shops
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