//
City and municipality in North Holland, Netherlands
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The small city of Enkhuizen is an old Dutch harbour town, and one of the most prominent ones of the Dutch Golden Age. It lost its trade position by the late 17th century, due to the wars with England, the silting of its waters and the rise of Amsterdam, but maintained much of its historic grandeur. Today, the town is famous for its herring and a beloved destination for its traditional Dutch feel and water sports facilities.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The city's weigh building survived the test of time remarkably well, and even the centuries old weighing mechanism in the main hall is still available. The outside of the building is an excellent example of early Dutch Renaissance architecture. Note also the family weapons captured in the windows: they represent the barber surgeons and doctors who had offices in the weigh building in the 17th century.
The city's main landmark is this 16th-century gate building, dubbed the "dromedary". This monumental building was nicely restored in 2013 and still has its original 17th-century carillon, which plays every 15 minutes. It's halls are for rent for events, but the building is otherwise not open to public.
The basic structure of this former city gate was built between 1649 and 1654, after which it served as the western entrance gate in the city's defence structure. The little clock tower is an 18th-century addition, however,
This well-known museum preserves knowledge about the maritime history of the Zuiderzee, now the IJsselmeer. It comprises a lovely outdoor section, open only in summer, with reconstructed buildings from the region's heyday and local craftsmen and volunteers demonstrating traditional skills and trades. The indoor section houses a fine collection of photographs, paintings, artefacts and more, providing a great insight into life around the region over the centuries. There are many activities for children, making it a very family-friendly museum. If you're coming by car, park at the Stationsplein (near the train station) and walk from there.
Ship in a bottle museum
It's an extraordinary collection, the 1000 or so "ships in a bottle" that are part of this small museum. About half of them are on display, some very old. the museum is housed in the monumental Spuihuisje.
This theme park is a fun day out for young children and adults who have an interest in fairy tales. Its attractions and characters tell the stories of several world famous and local fairy tales, many in the form of outdoor representations. The park also includes play grounds, gardens, a small castle, a petting zoo and some small moving attractions. It's closed most of the winter season.
It's a lovely way of exploring the IJsselmeer waters; rent a small boat (no special license required) and make your own way. Especially in the summer season, it's wise to book well in advance.
Historic triangle along the Zuiderzee coast. Distance: 73 km (in 3 sections).
The place to go for Guinness and Murphy's on tap.
The closest thing to a club used to be called Stadsherbergh, but has been renovated as Brave Hendrik. It holds three halls with different music and is popular with local young people.
The 22 rooms of this hotel are simple but well-maintained and the location close to the harbours gives some lovely views, also from the cosy outdoor terrace. Breakfast is included and there's an on-site restaurant for dinner too. Rooms have free Wi-Fi.
Housed in an old city gate, this hotel offers modern, well-appointed rooms with aircon, coffee and tea facilities and free wifi. The place has been renovated and breakfast is included. Most of the rooms are smaller than the ones shown on the hotel website.
If you like some peace and quiet, this place with its lovely gardens is a good pick for you. It's a B&B style place, with rooms leading into the garden. They are clean, although outdated a bit, and a little dark due to the large trees outside. Service is friendly though. Breakfast is included and prices drop when you stay more than one night.
Nicely renovated rooms and friendly service. The small outdoor terrace has some harbour views, and so do the deluxe rooms. There's a restaurant and bar in house. Check for last minutes and low season rates, as they can be considerably lower than regular ones.
The main road into town is the N302. It connects to Hoorn and the A7 in the west, while running as a causeway to the east, connecting Enkhuizen to Lelystad at the other side of the IJsselmeer water.
Read in the guideThe town is small and easy to navigate the harbour area - where all the sights are - on foot. If you're interested in exploring the surroundings, it's possible to rent a bike.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Amsterdam · International · AMS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Enkhuizen and Netherlands.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
7 min read
Travel tipsUnderstand the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs each, and how to avoid long airport border queues.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.