Edam

18km (11 miles) NE of Amsterdam; 2km (1 mile) N of Volendam

A little way inland from the IJsselmeer, Edam (pronounced ay-dam) has given its name to one of Holland's most famous cheeses. Don't expect to find it in the familiar red skin, though -- that's for export. In Holland the skin is yellow. This pretty little town (pop. 7,000), a whaling port during Holland's Golden Age in the 17th-century, is centered around canals you cross by way of drawbridges, with views on either side of lovely canal houses, beautiful gardens, and canalside teahouses.

Getting There

Bus nos. 114 and 116 depart every half-hour or so from Amsterdam Centraal Station. By car from Amsterdam, drive via Monnickendam and Volendam.

Visitor Information

VVV Edam, Stadhuis (Town Hall), Damplein 1, 1135 BK Edam (tel. 0299/315-125; fax 0299/374-236; www.vvv-edam.nl), in the town center. The office is open May to October, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm; November to April, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

What to See & Do

This was once a port of some prominence, and a visit to the Edams Museum, Damplein 8 (tel. 0299/372-644), opposite the Town Hall, gives you a peek not only at its history but also at some of its most illustrious citizens of past centuries. Look out for the portrait of Pieter Dirksz, a one-time mayor and proud possessor of what is probably the longest beard on record anywhere. An intriguing feature of this merchant's house from around 1530 is the cellar, which is actually a box floating on water, constructed that way so changing water levels wouldn't upset the foundations of the house. The museum is open April to October, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4:30pm, and Sunday from 1 to 4:30pm. Admission is 3€ ($3.75) for adults, 1.50€ ($1.90) for seniors, and 1€ ($1.25) for children ages 5 to 17.

Take a look at the lovely "wedding room" in the Stadhuis (Town Hall), and if you visit during summer months, don't miss the cheese-making display at the Kaaswaag (Weigh House). The Speeltoren (Carillon Tower) from 1561 tilts a bit and was very nearly lost when the church to which it belonged was destroyed.