Enkhuizen

This is an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. It gained city rights in 1355 and grew to be one of the main trade harbours of the VOC, the Dutch East Indies trade company. The town was one of the first to rally behind the Prince of Orange and in return was granted the exclusive right to produce and place the sea-marks in the Zuiderzee. For that, it was allowed to charge all vessels on that sea, making the whole thing a very lucrative affair. Enkhuizen blossomed in the 17th century, gaining wealth through international trade and herring fishery. Some 25,000 people resided in the city around 1650; substantially more even than today, as some 18,500 people live here (2019). The tide changed at the end of the 17th century, however, as shifting sands made the harbour less accessible, the wars with England took great costs and nearby Amsterdam rose to fame. By 1850, the population had dramatically declined to only 5400 and Enkhuizen became a sleepy fishermen's town.

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. The smaller 506 provides an additional direct road connection to Hoorn.

Enkhuizen is connected by rail, with all trains running in the direction of Amsterdam (1 hour). Until Hoorn, trains provide a "stop service", stopping at several smaller stations, while operating as an intercity fast train after that. Direct connections from Enkhuizen (all via Amsterdam) include Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Central Station, Hilversum, Amersfoort, Apeldoorn and Deventer. Amsterdam of course offers a wide range of other transfers.

In summer, there are two ferry services across the IJsselmeer:

Rederij V&O connects Enkhuizen to Stavoren in Friesland (May-September, plus more limited services in April). The ferries run 2 or 3 times per day, stopping also at the Zuiderzeemuseum, and their schedules match train times. The ferry takes about 80 minutes one way and costs €20/28.50 for an adult's single/return ticket, children up to 12 years €13.50/20, bikes €7.50/10 (as of 2026). Departure times in summer are usually 08:30, 12:30 and 16:30 from the Enkhuizen platform, near the train station, but check in advance.

De Zuiderzee has two daily departures to Urk in July and August. The journey is around 90 minutes. Adults €17.50/22.50 (single/day return), children up to 12 years €10/15, bikes €7.50/10.