Marken

A charming island village accessible by ferry or causeway, famous for its distinctive green and red wooden houses and strong maritime heritage. The island offers a peaceful escape with beautiful cycling routes, local museums, and traditional fishing culture.

Things to do

• Visit Marken Museum — Explore the island's maritime history and traditional costumes in this intimate museum housed in a historic captain's house.
• Cycle the island perimeter — Ride along scenic cycling routes that circle Marken with views of the IJsselmeer lake and traditional green-and-red wooden houses.
• Explore Havenbuurt harbor district — Stroll through the picturesque harbor area lined with characteristic Marken houses and working fishing boats.
• Visit Kerk (Church of Our Lady) — See the iconic white church with its distinctive cupola, a landmark that overlooks the island's waterfront.
• Take a boat tour on the IJsselmeer — Depart from Marken's harbor to experience traditional sailing and fishing traditions on the surrounding lake.
• Walk to Paard van Marken lighthouse — Hike across the causeway to this red-and-white striped lighthouse that marks the island's eastern point.

Food to try

• Smoked eel (gerookte paling) — Marken's signature dish—fresh local eel from the IJsselmeer lake, traditionally smoked and served warm or cold.
• Kibbeling — Battered and fried fish pieces, typically cod, served with lemon and eaten as a popular local snack along the harbor.
• Volendam herring (Haringfilet) — Fresh herring fillet caught in nearby waters and often served at harbor stalls, best eaten raw with onions in the local tradition.
• Paling in 't Groen — Smoked eel served with green herbs and butter, a traditional preparation unique to the region's fishing communities.
• Waterland cheese — Local artisanal cheese from the surrounding Waterland region, often sampled at small shops and markets on the island.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the traditional dress heritage — While no longer worn daily, Marken's distinctive black and white traditional costumes remain significant to local identity and are displayed in museums and during festivals.
• Embrace the cycling culture — Bicycles are the primary transport on Marken; respect cycling paths and expect locals to navigate the narrow streets by bike even in poor weather.
• Fish markets follow the catch schedule — Fresh seafood availability depends on the season and daily catches, so timing visits to the harbor in early morning offers the best selection of locally-caught fish.
• Tides and causeway access matter — Check tide schedules as the causeway connecting Marken to the mainland can be partially flooded during high tides, affecting vehicle and pedestrian access.