Its perfect location puts you right in the heart of Amsterdam, while the Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and the expansive polder landscape are literally around the corner. An ideal base for anyone who loves to explore, taste, and enjoy.

Cycling
North Holland is the cycling province par excellence. In addition to an extensive junction network, you'll find numerous inspiring themed routes that lead you through polders, villages, and wetland nature reserves.
Looking for a beautiful ride? Check out this route: Rondje Twiske via Fietsknoop.

Walking
From the B&B, you can step straight into the beautiful nature reserve 't Twiske. Here you can enjoy endless walks along reed banks, tranquil ponds, and green paths.
Easily plan your walk via Komoot, or use the handy app for even more inspiration.

Rent a boat or canoe
Fancy a peaceful adventure on the water? Rent a boat or canoe and discover the serene beauty of Oostzaan and the Oostzanerveld nature reserve. An ideal way to experience the tranquility, wildlife, and expansive views up close.

Visit a charming city
Several charming cities are located nearby: Amsterdam, Zaandam, Alkmaar, Volendam, and Edam. Perfect for a day of culture, visiting museums, strolling through charming shopping streets, or taking a boat tour of the iconic canals.

Day Trip to Amsterdam
From Oostzaan, you can quickly reach Amsterdam—ideal for anyone who enjoys city breaks with character. Amsterdam is a city that immediately embraces you with its mix of history, creativity, and relaxed vibes. Think iconic canals lined with houseboats, elegant mansions, and cafés where you can linger for hours.
The city is packed with highlights. Stroll through the world-famous Red Light District, where history and nightlife collide, or immerse yourself in the colorful chaos of the Albert Cuyp Market, where scents and flavors from around the world converge. Take a relaxing break in Vondelpark, the city's green hotspot. Fancy a bit of luxury? Shop to your heart's content in P.C. Hooftstraat, where designer stores line up one after the other.
And of course: no trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum. Stand face to face with works of art you've only seen in books—an unforgettable experience.
Tip: Combine your visit with a canal cruise. It will give you a completely new, almost cinematic perspective on Amsterdam.

Amsterdam-Noord
Across the IJ River lies Amsterdam-Noord, a neighborhood that has become the city's creative playground in recent years. Everything here is a little different: rawer, more artistic, and hipper. This former industrial zone is now a breeding ground for artists, designers, street artists, and young entrepreneurs.
Visit the futuristic Eye Film Museum, where architecture and film converge. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Then head to the A’DAM Lookout—the skydeck with a jaw-dropping panorama. For true adrenaline junkies, the swing over the edge is a must.
The NDSM wharf is arguably the beating heart of North: a mix of creative studios, street art, concept stores, festivals, and markets. The vibe here is laid-back and alternative, but always with an energetic undercurrent. Perfect for those who love to discover something a little off the beaten track. Among all those hotspots you will find trendy coffee bars, microbreweries, vegan eateries and rooftop bars that are also popular with locals.

Heart of the Zaan Region
Zaandam has a story that dates back to long before modern times. It was once two villages—Oostzaandam and Westzaandam—separated by the Zaan River. In 1811, Napoleon decided it was time for a change and merged the villages into the city of Zaandam. Thanks to its location near Amsterdam, Zaandam grew into a vibrant trading center. Impressive warehouses arose along the Zaan River, each a silent witness to the Golden Age. Many of these iconic buildings still stand, such as the famous Verkade complex, which continues to capture the imagination.

Architecture
Zaandam is beloved for its unique, almost fairytale-like architecture. The city center is built in the style of the classic "green Zaan houses"—a nod to the traditional timber construction of the region. The most striking example? The iconic town hall, designed by Sjoerd Soeters. This building is a creative blend of Zaan architectural styles and a must-see for design and architecture enthusiasts. Here, every corner feels photogenic, as if you're strolling through a modern interpretation of a historic village.

Shopping
Shoppers will be in their element in Zaandam. The city center is modern, charming, and filled with a mix of well-known brands and small boutiques. You'll find everything from fashion to lifestyle and from gadgets to delicious food spots. Just outside the center lies Zuiderhout, a shopping area with designer stores, outlets, and home furnishings—perfect for those looking for something special. After a day of shopping, relax on a sunny terrace in the city center and enjoy the relaxed Zaan atmosphere.

Culture
The cultural heart of the region is undoubtedly the Zaanse Schans. This world-famous place feels like an open-air museum where the past comes to life. Authentic windmills, craftsmen, traditional wooden houses, and a stunning landscape combine to create a unique piece of the Netherlands. Be sure to visit the Zaans Museum, where you can discover the history of the region and learn more about life and work in the Zaan region through the centuries.

Alkmaar: More Than Just a Cheese City Less than half an hour from Oostzaan, you'll find Alkmaar: a vibrant, atmospheric city perfect for a day trip. World-famous for its Cheese Market, beloved for its historic charm, and ideal for shopping, drinks, and relaxation. In Alkmaar, you effortlessly combine culture, conviviality, and charming spots.

Shopping, Drinks & Museums
As a shopping city, Alkmaar has been in the top 3 of the Netherlands for years—and you'll immediately notice. Besides the well-known chain stores, you'll discover countless boutiques, concept stores, and unique specialty shops nestled in narrow streets and historic buildings. It's the kind of city where every corner holds a surprise.
Feeling refreshed after shopping? Relax on a terrace or explore one of the many restaurants. From Japanese street food to French bistros, from cozy cafes to fine dining: Alkmaar has it all.
You're also in the right place for a dose of culture. The city is bursting with wonderful museums:
• Dutch Cheese Museum
• Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar (with the impressive exhibition "The Golden Age of Alkmaar")
• Beer Museum De Boom
• Beatles Museum
Theaters, a pop venue, and a cinema also ensure you'll never be bored.

Walk among monuments
Alkmaar is pure history. The city boasts over 1,000 monuments, making a walk here feel like walking through a living painting. Iconic places like the Waag (Weigh House), the 16th-century Town Hall, the imposing Grote Sint-Laurenskerk (Great St. Lawrence Church), courtyards, graceful facades, and romantic canals give the city a unique character.
At the Tourist Information Office in the Waag building, you can pick up a city walk that takes you past all the highlights in an hour and a half.
For children, there's the adventurous scavenger hunt "The Alkmaar Code," and for those who enjoy exploring with their phones, there's even a smartphone route—ideal for families and modern explorers.

Volendam & Edam 

Experience the authentic atmosphere of Volendam
Volendam is one of those places you simply must experience. As soon as you walk along the famous dike, you'll feel it immediately: that unique blend of history, charm, and harbor atmosphere you'll only find here. The colorful houses, the beautiful view over the water, and the bustling harbor make this place irresistibly photogenic.
Stroll past the shops and stalls, where the aroma of fresh fish greets you. Kibbeling (fried fish), herring, or freshly fried fish—you can't go wrong here. Fishing has been Volendam's pride and joy for centuries, and that tradition lives on just as strongly today.
A photo in traditional Volendam costume is an absolute must. It's touristy, yes—but also incredibly fun and a perfect souvenir to take home. You'll also find countless shops on the dike where you can browse for jewelry, clogs, cheese, souvenirs, and typical Volendam trinkets. Be sure to explore the charming Doolhof, the oldest and most characteristic part of Volendam. With its narrow streets, wooden houses, and hidden corners, it feels like stepping back a century in time. From here, you can watch the boats depart for the Marken peninsula—an idyllic outing that perfectly complements a visit to Volendam.

Edam
Just a stone's throw from bustling Volendam lies the quiet, elegant town of Edam—a charming town known for its world-famous Edam cheese. Nestled within the old ramparts, Edam boasts no fewer than 178 monuments. It's a paradise for lovers of culture, history, and picturesque streets.
The city center is filled with charming canals, centuries-old buildings, small boutiques, and cozy cafés with waterside terraces. Edam is small, manageable, and more than ideal for a relaxing afternoon of wandering, exploring, and enjoying.
Until 1922, Edam was an important center for cheese sales. Farmers brought their round cheeses by boat to the market, where traders bought them and distributed them worldwide. Since 1989, this historic tradition has been revived. Every Wednesday during the summer months, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, the Edam Cheese Market takes place—complete with cheese porters, weighmasters, and centuries-old customs. It's like walking into a piece of history.
Edam and Volendam are a perfect combination: a lively fishing village and an elegant cheese town, both with a rich culture and charming charm.

Zaanse Schans

Museums
The Zaanse Schans offers a whole world of museums to discover. At the Zaans Museum, you'll undoubtedly recognize much of what you see outside in the paintings. Be sure to step inside the Verkade Pavilion: here, you'll feel like you're in a former chocolate factory, complete with clanging machines, a massive mass of "melted chocolate," and a gigantic oven that immediately tantalizes the senses.
At the Museum of the Dutch Clock (MNU), you can delve into the fascinating history of the Dutch clock. And if you've always wanted to see the very first Albert Heijn store up close, you shouldn't miss the Albert Heijn Museum Shop. Here, you'll literally step back in time to 1887, with the original furnishings and inventory of the very first grocer.

Shopping
The Zaanse Schans has much more to offer. In the cozy wooden buildings, you'll find a surprising selection of shops selling everything from textiles, cheeses, and clogs to artisanal delicacies, antiques, curiosities, wooden toys, dyes, and oils.
Craftsmen also revive centuries-old traditions here. See with your own eyes how pewter is cast or how cheese used to be made. The decor of wooden houses, barns, and mills completes the experience—it's like stepping into a different era.
Need a break? Then take a seat in one of the cozy cafes and restaurants on the Schans.
More information can be found at: www.zaanseschans.nl.

Mills
The invention of the crankshaft laid the foundation for the impressive industrial mills in the Netherlands. In 1594, Cornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest first applied this principle in a sawmill. From that moment on, sawing trees by hand was a thing of the past. Thanks to its abundant wind and water resources and its proximity to the trading center of Amsterdam, the Zaan region rapidly grew into one of Western Europe's first industrial areas. Of the more than a thousand windmills that once lined the Zaan River, thirteen have been preserved—six of which can be proudly admired at the Zaanse Schans.

Het Twiske 

Experience nature, savor the tranquility & enjoy the outdoors.
Less than 5 kilometers from the bustling capital lies an oasis of peace and quiet: Het Twiske nature park. Here, everything revolves around water, space, and relaxation. The area has protected Natura 2000 status, and you'll immediately feel it when you breathe in the fresh air and let the tranquility wash over you.
Het Twiske has been mapped since the 13th century and was once a vast peatland along the Twiske River. Today, it's a paradise for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Active & healthy: walking, cycling, boating
In Het Twiske, you can truly indulge yourself. Explore on foot, hop on a bike, or explore the water your way.
Cruise across the glistening lake in a whisper boat. Paddle a canoe through narrow creeks nestled among reed beds.
Have a picnic by the waterfront overlooking stunning vistas.
Visit the Twiske Mill, where you can see how the polder is still drained. The care farm is also highly recommended — here you can stock up on local produce to take home, straight from the farm shop.
Working up an appetite? Settle down on the terrace of the Twiske Pavilion, Twiske Haven, or De Appel, where you can enjoy a drink, lunch, or dinner surrounded by nature.

Exercising at Het Twiske
With the Amsterdam skyline on the horizon, Het Twiske is the perfect spot for athletes who want to combine peace and nature.

Running on kilometers of trails

Hiking on well-maintained routes
You can choose your own route or follow one of the marked walking and running trails. Het Twiske always offers the perfect mix of challenge and relaxation — surrounded by birds, water, and greenery.

Mountain biking in Het Twiske

Are you a true mountain bike enthusiast? Then Het Twiske is the perfect place for you. Tear up two challenging MTB routes, each about 3.5 kilometers long, connected by excellent cycle paths. Along the way, you'll encounter elevation changes, plus mud and sand sections that will really test your skills. Perfect for those who love action in a beautiful natural setting.

A day at the beach in Het Twiske

Fancy a mini-vacation, but don't want to be stuck in traffic? Het Twiske offers seven beaches, perfect for a day of relaxation. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy a refreshing dip in the large recreational lake, or simply drift off with a book by the water's edge.

Here, every day feels like a summer getaway, surrounded by nature.

Unique diving spots in the Stootersplas
Put on your diving suit and go! The Stootersplas, with a depth of up to 30 meters, is a true paradise for divers. At Kure Jan beach and De Leers beach, you'll find specially constructed diving spots with platforms. Ideal for beautiful shore dives. Various interesting objects are hidden in the water—great for beginners, advanced divers, and groups.

Twiske for children
Children can have endless fun at Het Twiske.
The Adventure Playground features a suspension bridge, a cable car, a tube fort, a care farm, a ferry, and a real king's swing. Prefer to play Indian? Visit the Indian village at Speelsloot, complete with colorful wigwams and a real totem pole.

More of a climbing fan? Then Twiske Climbing Park is a must: climb high between the trees and tackle adventurous courses.
More info: klimparktwiske.nl

Fishing
Het Twiske is a wonderful spot for anglers. Bring your chair, cast your rod—just relax! At the Stootersplas, you'll find plenty of beautiful fishing spots, suitable for both anglers and beginners. Please note: you need a valid fishing license (VISpas).

Rent a boat
Twiske Haven – boats and water activities
twiskehaven.nl
+31 75 684 4890
Rent a mountain bike, surfboard, or SUP
surfandbike.com/ fietsverhuur

More activities nearby
twiske-waterland.nl/ activiteiten