The Picturesque Day Trip From Amsterdam Rick Steves Says Too Many Tourists Miss Out On

For many tourists, a day trip from Amsterdam means visiting Zaanse Schans, Haarlem, Utrecht, or some of the most beautiful spring flowers in the world at Keukenhof. According to Rick Steves, however, there's an overlooked day trip destination that tourists should add to their itineraries. The spot is called Waterland and, no, it's not a water park or canal-themed attraction. It's a rural municipality located just northeast of the capital. And, as its name suggests, it's pretty wet.

Sitting on the Markermeer lake and marked with canals and rivers, Waterland is home to several charming villages. In an article on his website, Steves highlights three of his favorites: Edam, Volendam, and Marken. The travel expert explains that Edam is known for its local cheese and "storybook lanes," Volendam is a tourist-friendly stop dripping with quintessential Dutch character, and Marken is a resurrected fishing town located in the middle of the lake.

Waterland might not be world famous, but it's easily among Rick Steves' top destinations when traveling to the Netherlands. As the guidebook author says, "To really experience everyday life in the Netherlands, get out of town. In postcard-perfect Dutch villages like Edam, you can mellow out like a hunk of aging cheese."

Depending on your interests and travel schedule, you can visit just one part of Waterland or all three villages Rick Steves recommends. If you head to Edam, the pro traveler suggests timing your trip during a Wednesday when the town holds its cheese market. The event takes place in July and August and includes live cheese trading, horse-drawn cheese carriages, and, of course, plenty of that creamy yellow stuff to taste. Steves notes that outside of the market, Edam is the perfect place to stroll around, taking in the sights or perhaps joining a walking tour. For a more in-depth look at the village's history, stop by the Edam Museum, one of North Holland's oldest museums.

South of Edam is Volendam, which Steves warns has a touristy "Coney Island" feel. A walk down the promenade might not offer the most authentic scenery, yet Volendam is ideal if you're looking for a condensed version of the stereotypical Dutch experience. You'll find terraces serving Heineken, souvenir shops selling tulip magnets and wooden clogs, and Dutch flags seemingly mounted to every third building. Away from the promenade, the village is filled with canals, bridges, and quaint residential streets.

Last but not least is Marken, which Steves describes as a "time-passed hamlet in a bottle." The village is quaint and dotted with clusters of cute and colorful houses. The travel expert mentions Kerkbuurt in particular, a picturesque neighborhood where you'll find the Marker Museum, as well as the harbor for a quick bite of kibbeling (battered fried fish).

Waterland is easily accessible from Amsterdam, so you don't have to worry about staying overnight and booking a hotel in the area (unless you want to, of course). Edam can be reached within just 30 minutes from the capital. Start at Amsterdam's Noord Station and take the bus to the Edam bus station. A bus following a similar route (or the same, depending on which bus line you choose) will also lead you to Volendam. Be sure to get off at the Katwoude, Hotel Volendam stop, where you can walk into the village. Despite being in the middle of the water, Marken is just as easy to reach from Amsterdam. Take the bus headed to the village from Noord Station and get off at the Marken, Minneweg stop. The journey will take only about 25 minutes.

To get between the towns, you may need to rely on other modes of transportation. Travel between Edam and Volendam is best done on foot or, if you're short on time, by rental bicycle. Meanwhile, a ferry is the most direct way to reach Marken from the neighboring villages. Hop on the boat from Volendam and arrive in Marken about 30 minutes later.