Best things to do in the Amsterdam countryside
A day trip to Broek in Waterland.
Looking for “something different”?
Broek in Waterland is better.
If you’re searching for:
Authentic Dutch villages ✔️ Things to do near Amsterdam ✔️ A peaceful day trip that’s not Volendam or Zaanse Schans ✔️ The highest density of heritage buildings in the Netherlands ✔️
The most beautiful village in The Netherlands ✔️
Then Broek in Waterland is your answer. And your reset button.
Just 15 minutes from Amsterdam. But a whole world away. No crowds. No plastic clogs. No waiting in line for a €10 pancake you’ll regret. Just still water, wooden houses, crooked chimneys, and the sound of your own breath slowing down.
Welcome to Broek in Waterland — the best-kept secret north of Amsterdam. Postcard-pretty. Quietly iconic. And yes — it’s real.
What brings you to Broek in Waterland?
Bike, hike, eat, sleep - rinse, repeat.
Looking for fresh air and quiet paths? → Explore by foot or bike
Hungry? Curious? → Lunch at Het Broeker Huis
Planning a wedding, offsite or something special? → Our village venue
Need a place to stay? → Stay overnight in Broek
How to get here? → Practical info & tips
Explore Broek in Waterland
Bike or hike. Or do both.
You don’t need a tour guide to enjoy Broek in Waterland. Just good shoes or a bike.
Wander the village
Cross wooden bridges. Peek into pastel gardens. Hear your own footsteps for the first time in days. Broek moves slow, and so will you.
Bike the Waterland route
Flat, scenic, and quiet. Ride past cows, dykes and tiny villages like Zuiderwoude and Ransdorp. Stop for an apple or a beer – and return to Broek with a sun-flushed face, muddy shoes and an appetite for dinner.
No tickets. No queues. Just go.
Het Broeker Huis
Your local lunch, dinner & coffee spot.
This isn’t a concept restaurant. It’s the village table.
We cook over open fire, with local, seasonal ingredients and no frills. Come for house-baked bread, soups that warm you up, and fresh coffee from house-roasted coffee beans.
Locals eat here. So can you.
Want to know more?
Planning a wedding or meeting in Het Broeker Huis
Yes, I do. Celebrate. Remember. Meet.
Our heritage building and monumental rooms aren't just for weddings and birthdays. They're also a place for strategy sessions, off-sites, team lunches or a quiet brainstorm near the city.
Whether you're celebrating love, saying goodbye, or planning the next big idea – we host it all. With local food, honest hospitality and rooms full of character. Under the trees, in our 17th-century hall or in the garden with a fire pit and a plan.
Just 15 minutes from Amsterdam, and a world away from the usual.
Want to know more about our venue and possibilities?
Stay a little longer at Het Broeker Huis
Our B&B opens this summer.
Too relaxed to leave? We get that. That’s why we’re opening our first guest suite this summer.
Think: soft beds, your own kitchen and a breakfast that’s more like a feast. Perfect for wedding guests, families or just a slow weekend away.
Want to get a heads-up when reservations open?
Getting here & practical tips for your countryside day trip
No tour or ticket needed.
From Amsterdam Central Station:
Bus 312, 314 or 315 to Broek in Waterland (15 min). Better yet — rent a bike and enjoy one of the most beautiful rides in the Netherlands. No guide. No ticket. Just go. You can walk the entire village in 15 minutes — not that you would want to.
Best days to visit: weekdays from 10am to dinner. Evenings for sunset by the water.
Bring: good shoes. A curious mood. Appetite for good food and local treats
Don’t bring: a checklist. A rigid schedule. A rush. Expectations.
Never want to leave again? We understand.
Amsterdam may be the destination
Broek in Waterland is the memory.
Let Amsterdam wear the crown. Broek in Waterland wears the wool sweater, offers you tea and tells better stories.
You came for a quick break from the city. You found something slower, warmer, closer. Something you didn’t even know you were looking for.
And it starts at Het Broeker Huis. Your lunch stop. Dinner spot. Your village living room.
Your reason to stay a little longer.
