Attractions in the north of the Netherlands
Many historic towns are scattered around the IJsselmeer. You have a wide choice of destinations and never have to travel far from your holiday apartment or house. In Enkhuizen in North Holland, a picturesque old town with historic buildings and fortification walls from the 16th century awaits you. Close to the town are Medemblik and Hoorn, where you can find more witnesses of past centuries. Lemmer, Makkum, Workum, and Hindeloopen are interesting places on the side of the IJsselmeer that borders Friesland. In addition to noteworthy harbors, they attract with picturesque half-timbered houses in the region's typical architectural style and a relaxed atmosphere. From your accommodation at the IJsselmeer, it's just a stone's throw to the metropolis of Amsterdam. In the capital of the Netherlands, you should not miss visiting world-famous attractions such as the Anne Frank House and a canal cruise in the Venice of the North.
Thanks to the dike: the IJsselmeer is a vacation paradise
Whether you plan your vacation in a holiday apartment or a house well in advance or find a cheap last-minute offer and rent accommodation spontaneously - at the IJsselmeer, eventful and varied days are certain. For most visitors, the focus of a break in Friesland is undoubtedly the diverse water sports opportunities on the freshwater lake. Thus, the highlight is the IJsselmeer itself. But together with the attractive surroundings, the proximity to the city of Amsterdam, and the attractions in Enkhuizen, Makkum, Lemmer, Alkmaar, Hoorn, Andijk, and Medemblik, the IJsselmeer offers the best conditions for an unforgettable stay in the Netherlands for all family members.
The IJsselmeer offers activities for the whole family
A large part of the holiday apartments and houses are located in a quiet area within walking distance to the IJsselmeer. If the accommodation has a garden, your dog will also feel completely at ease. In a family-friendly bungalow in Friesland with several rooms, families with children and with or without pets can enjoy a relaxed vacation in the Netherlands. Even the youngest can learn windsurfing or sailing on the IJsselmeer, as there are special offers for children. Adults also have a diverse program available: The most famous and popular water sports centers are Lemmer, Makkum, Medemblik, Andijk, and Enkhuizen. Prefer a relaxed round on the water? Numerous providers rent everything from paddle boats to yachts, making hobby captains happy. In a house with its own boat dock, you even have your private harbor right at your doorstep. An excellent network of cycling and hiking trails also ensures unforgettable moments for active vacationers who are not as comfortable on the water. Extensive walks are also a joy for the four-legged friend, as in a vacation with a dog at Ijsselmeer, the pet also wants to have its fun. If you prefer the beach and sea, the "real" North Sea is not far away.
Culinary Holland: from Eel to Onions
Whether you are a water sports enthusiast or prefer to explore the IJsselmeer on foot or by bike, the fresh air will make you hungry and stimulate a healthy appetite. In the small towns and villages around the former Zuiderzee, you will find numerous dining options. Classic fish and chips stalls, as known from the Netherlands, are of course not missing. In the restaurants, you can enjoy Frisian fish and shellfish dishes as well as specialties from around the world. The eel from the IJsselmeer, by the way, has the reputation of being the most delicious! After visiting the attractions and museums in the region, there is always a bar or café nearby inviting you for a break. Naturally, the holiday apartments and houses also have fully equipped kitchens. Often there is a grill in the garden, allowing you to cater for yourself during your stay in a privately-owned house or bungalow. The nearest supermarket is usually just a few minutes' drive away. In the municipality of Edam-Volendam, a cheese market is also held regularly, where you can find the famous Dutch cheese, Edam!
Tradition, art, and culture around the IJsselmeer
The best insight into the history and culture of the IJsselmeer is provided at the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen. Here, you can learn everything about the creation of today's water sports paradise. Another point of interest is the Nieuw-Land Polder Museum in Lelystad in Flevoland. The museum illustrates, through historical films and models, what life and the landscape around the IJsselmeer looked like in the past. Are you interested in how a typical residential and artisan district was structured around 1850? Then visit the open-air museum Zaanse Schans with your children: Here, authentic wooden houses are lined up next to beautiful windmills. Other cities where you can experience the history of the Netherlands up close include the island of Marken in North Holland and the former island of Urk in Flevoland. Many residents still wear traditional costumes and wooden shoes. A walk through the two islands takes you back in time. If you are an art lover, visits to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam should not be missed during your vacation. The exhibitions attract visitors from all over the world.
In the north of Holland, the IJsselmeer awaits your visit
Contrary to what the name might suggest, the IJsselmeer is a lake - the largest in the Netherlands. Until 1932, this area was known as the Zuiderzee, a bay of the North Sea. However, the construction of the 29-kilometer-long and 90-meter-wide dike laid the foundation for the IJsselmeer. It separates the freshwater lake from the Wadden Sea. An inner dike, built in 1976 from Enkhuizen to Lelystad, has since divided the lake into the Markermeer in the southwest and the IJsselmeer in the northeast. The Dutch provinces of Flevoland, North Holland, and Friesland border the former Zuiderzee. Along their coasts lie many quaint towns and villages, where numerous holiday apartments or houses are available. Most of the affordable accommodations can be found in Lemmer, Andijk, Makkum, Wervershoof, and Workum. The best way to get there is by car or by renting a car from Amsterdam. The international airport Schiphol there is only 50 to 100 kilometers away, depending on where you rent a private house for your IJsselmeer vacation.