The stories of Waterland, told as you walk.
Self-guided audio walking tours through the old fishing villages of Marken, Monnickendam, Ilpendam and Watergang. Press play, start walking, and the history of each street unfolds around you.
Free to download and available in English, Dutch, German, French and Chinese.
Not a museum. A living walk.
Waterland is best understood on foot, hearing the stories from someone who grew up here. Discover Waterland turns an ordinary stroll into a guided journey through 700 years of history.
Audio that plays as you arrive
Each stop has a narrated story. Reach the spot and the tale of that church, harbour or hidden house begins.
Self-guided, your pace
No timetable, no group, no guide to keep up with. Pause for a coffee, take a detour, and pick up where you left off.
A map that guides you
See every stop on the map and the walking route between them, so you always know where the next story is waiting.
Five languages
Tour text and audio in English, Dutch, German, French and Chinese, so you can share Waterland with anyone.
Real local research
Written by a born and raised local from archives and stories you won't find on the usual tourist signs.
Free to start
Download the app and browse every tour for free. Unlock the full audio when you're ready to walk.
Three steps to your first walk
Download & pick a tour
Get the free app, choose a village, and read what you'll see along the way.
Walk to each stop
Follow the map to the first point. As you arrive, the audio story starts playing automatically.
Listen & wander
Soak up the history, then stroll to the next stop. Finish whenever you like, your progress is saved.
Where the walks take you
Every Discover Waterland tour is a walk through the region with its real stories told out loud, street by street. Each village below has its own character, its own history and its own free tour. Here is where each one leads.
Marken
A former Zuiderzee island of wooden houses on mounds, brown-sailed botters and a car-free centre.
Walk the Marken tour →Monnickendam
A Golden Age harbour town with the Speeltoren, home to the oldest working carillon in the world.
Walk the Monnickendam tour →Ilpendam & Watergang
Two of Waterland's smallest villages, with a Night Watch connection and black-tarred wooden farms.
Walk the Ilpendam tour →Broek in Waterland
Once one of the richest villages in Holland, famous for its painted wooden houses and spotless streets.
Read the Broek guide →Read before you roam
Guides, history and travel tips for exploring Waterland on foot.
The best audio walking tours in Waterland
Which walk to pick, how long they take, and how to reach them from Amsterdam.
A local's guide to Marken, the former island
What to see, where the botters moor, and the story behind the wooden houses.
Monnickendam & the oldest carillon in the world
Monks, mechanical horsemen and an out-of-tune bell that has rung since the 1500s.
Frequently asked questions
Planning a walk in Waterland? Here is what most people ask before they go.
How do I get to Waterland from Amsterdam?
Most villages are 20 to 40 minutes from Amsterdam by bus. Take bus 315 from Amsterdam Noord to Marken, or bus 315 and 316 toward Monnickendam and Volendam. Buses run roughly every half hour, and you tap on and off with a contactless card or phone. You can also cycle the scenic dike route or drive. Our guide to reaching Marken has every option.
Is the Discover Waterland app free?
Yes. The app is free to download and you can browse every tour for free. You unlock the full narrated audio for a tour when you are ready to walk it.
Do I need an internet connection on the walk?
You need a connection to download a tour first. On the walk, bring headphones and your phone, and the audio for each stop plays automatically as you arrive. There is no separate player to fumble with, and your progress is saved if you pause for a coffee or a detour.
Which languages are the tours available in?
Tour text and audio are available in English, Dutch, German, French and Chinese, so you can share Waterland with almost anyone.
How long does a Waterland walk take?
Most walks take 30 to 60 minutes at an easy pace, plus time to linger, take photos or stop for coffee. The Marken and the Ilpendam and Watergang loops run about an hour, while Monnickendam is a compact half hour. You set the pace and your progress is saved.
Your next walk is one download away
Get the free Discover Waterland app, pick a village, and let the stories find you street by street.