Enkhuizen was a very important port on the Zuiderzee during the Dutch East India Company period starting in the 16th century. The old center is quite well preserved. You can visit the old fortifications and walls that protected the city.
Why go to Enkhuizen?
Many tourists go to the Zuiderzee Museum, which recals life in Holland's Golden era. It's one of Holland's best destinations for kids, and includes an open air park with 135 period houses, businesses, streets and canals. The "inside" portion of the Zuiderzee Museum is housed on a former pepper warehouse dating from the times of the Dutch East India Company. There's a fine restaurant inside as well.
Enthusiasts of water sports will find lots to do. Bike rentals are also popular, and will allow the tourist to easily pedal to adjacent towns and into the Dutch countryside.
Enkhuizen is located in the North Holland region; Noord Holland is one of the most evocative of Dutch regions.
How to get to Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen is about an hour via train from Amsterdam via Hoorn. You can do a day trip from Hoorn. The Zuiderzee Museum is about a ten minute walk from the Enkhuizen train station. Get information on Netherlands and Benilux Rail Passes.
Enkhuizen Attractions
Besides the Zuiderzee Museum, there are old period houses on Breedstraat with Late Gothic or Renaissance facades.
The Dromedaris Tower was built as part of the town's fortifications in 1540 to protect the harbor. There are good views. Inside there are several cells from when it was used as a prison.
From the railway station you can see the harbor, which, besides yachts, offers boats to other destinations and a ferry to the Zuiderzee museum. Town Hall (Stadhuis) is a 17th century masterpiece of the Golden age with a sandstone facade. Inside is richly decorated; there's a small museum of antiquites here.
Tourist office
VVV / Tourist OfficeVVV Enkhuizen e.o.
Tussen Twee Havens 1
1601 EM Enkhuizen
Phone 0228-313164
Fax 0228-315531
E-mail vvvenkhuizeneo@hetnet.nl
Stop in at the tourist office, which is on the harbor side of the train station. They'll have maps, a list of events, offer lodging help, and in season will offer a two hour walking tour of Enkhuizen--worth it if you've never been there.
