When you think of the Netherlands, which place comes to mind first? Probably Amsterdam, Rotterdam, maybe Texel or Terschelling. But did you ever hear of Urk, Makkum or Medemblik? The places around the Ijsselmeer are really worth seeing and I would like to introduce some of them here.

If you look at a map of the Netherlands, you will immediately see that the Ijsselmeer is the main feature of this country. It is now divided by a dam between the Markermeer and the Ijsselmeer and separated from the Waddenzee by another dam, which has the effect that the Ijsselmeer is fresh water.

Hoorn
Not only Amsterdam lies along the Markermeer, but also the city of Hoorn. Even from a distance you can see the Hoofdtoren, the main tower. Right in front of it we are moored with the Novel and many other of the fleets. There are several marinas and a large park right by the water. The city is lined with historic houses. On the central square “Roode Steen” and in the many small streets there are nice cafés and restaurants where you can have a good walk. When I am in Hoorn, I walk through the Julianapark. Many small paths lead through the forest or directly along the water. It is beautifully green here..

Stavoren
When we start a tour, Stavoren is often the first destination. We moor here, passing the typical colourful houses directly at the harbour. The town has just 960 residents. You can reach it by ferry or by train. You can swim on the small beaches or simply watch the sheep graze. My walk takes me in the other direction. The dike towards Hindeloopen is long and I have my peace and quiet. With a beautiful sunset over the Ijsselmeer, I like to end the day here.

Workum
North of Stavoren lies the village of Workum. The harbour is very small and many of the sailing ships do not fit next to each other here. On the other hand, it is a little quieter in the harbour. The many smaller marinas between the houses are striking. Residents can literally sail right up to their front door. A walk through the old town is worth it. The small houses are lovingly restored and well cared for. All is still right with the world here.

Makkum
The place is in the immediate proximity of the Kornwerderzand lock. So before we walk onto the Waddenzee, we enter the harbour through a long driveway. I don’t get to see much of it, because that’s exactly when the sails are lowered and packed. There is no time to enjoy the entrance. Makkum is particularly popular with water sports fans. A large beach and many campsites and holiday homes invite you to do so.

The town itself is idyllically situated on the dyke. The small Van Doniakerk is almost picturesque. My places to go are the supermarket “Jumbo”, where you can get the best stroopwafels, and the local bakery. We are in Friesland and the suikerbrood is a speciality here. For those who know it; it tastes like the sabschy dough of a French roll. Really delicious!

Medemblik
Often the last port of a tour we head for. From here it is not far to Enkhuizen. Medemblik is a versatile place. Most ships moor opposite the pretty Radboud Castle. So do we. But sometimes we go a little further into the town to moor a little further back in the harbour basin in a green idyll. To get there, Arnold has to steer the Novel through a very narrow bridge. He has maybe 15 to 20 cm of space to the right and left. For our guests as well as for the people on land, this passage is spectacular.

The Nieuwstraat is the shopping mile of the city. I always rush to the Kruidvat drugstore. Because only they have my hair colour. In the evening, sailors and skippers meet in the Brakeboer. There’s always something going on here in the evening.

Urk
A very special place. Urk used to be an island and its people still see Urk as an island and I have the feeling that they are an island too. Everything is a bit different here. The people of Urk are conspicuous either by their rattling scooters, which they drive over the quiet dike, or on the water with their boats of all kinds and above all with their loudness. Urk is just Urk.

I discovered the nearby forest for myself. A beautiful circular path through the trees leads past grazing cows to the dike, on which I then walk back to the ship. At least in the forest you have some peace and quiet from the Urkers.

Conclusion
A trip around the Ijsselmeer is not only recommended by water. Far away from Amsterdam, you can discover the unique beauty of the Netherlands.