What is the Zuiderzeemuseum?

Zuiderzeemuseum can be found in the historic center of Enkhuizen in North Holland. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Zuiderzee or South Sea region, consisting of an indoor and an outdoor museum. The outdoor museum features over 130 authentic houses, where you will learn all about life around the South Sea from 1880 to 1930, the last period before the Afsluitdijk was completed in 1932. The indoor museum boasts a fascinating collection of photographs, traditional costumes, a large collection of wooden ships, and more.

Is Zuiderzeemuseum worth a visit?

Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen is well worth a visit. More than 140 authentic buildings from around the former Zuiderzee or South Sea were brought together to create this complete open-air museum. Stroll through the cobbled alleys, visit the cheese warehouse, and take a look at the smithy. This is where the history of the Zuiderzee area is brought to life. In addition to the outdoor section, there is also an indoor museum. With the aid of photographs, traditional costumes, and a large collection of wooden ships, you will experience what life looked like before the Afsluitdijk dike transformed the Zuiderzee into IJsselmeer lake. Interesting, educational, and well worth a visit.

What attractions and landmarks are near Zuiderzeemuseum?

Attractions and landmarks near Zuiderzeemuseum include Sprookjeswonderland in Enkhuizen. Sprookjeswonderland or fairytale wonderland is a beautiful park for young children, where fairytales come to life. Most of the attractions are suitable for even the youngest children. The stunning village of Hoorn is less than a 30-minute drive away. This harbor town overlooking IJsselmeer lake boasts a beautiful old inner city full of monumental buildings, well worth a visit! The Museumstoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik, a museum steam tram line, is a special attraction in Hoorn. A piece of history on wheels on which you can go on an exciting trip through time to Hoorn, Medemblik, and Enkhuizen.

Photo: © Zuiderzeemuseum

Zuiderzeemuseum

Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen, located in a beautiful fishing village by IJsselmeer lake, brings the stories of the people living around the Zuiderzee in the past to life.

Discover everyday life around the former South Sea or Zuiderzee.
Travel 100 years back in time and stroll through the cobbled alleys past workshops and fish smokeries.
The indoor museum is the Zuiderzee's treasury; dive into a sea full of stories.

Address:: Wierdijk 12 22
1601LA Enkhuizen
Visit the website
Opening hours & tickets

The Zuidermuseum consists of indoor and outdoor museums. There are more than 130 authentic houses, shops and workshops in the outdoor museum. Watch craftsmen and women at work, experience everyday life as it was, and enjoy the authentic ambiance. Don't miss the contemporary design presentations inspired by life and work in the past. Much attention is given to the past, present and future of the area in relation to such themes as water, traditional crafts and communities.

Historic Dutch experience in the buitenmuseum

The buitenmuseum (Open-Air Museum), open from March to October, is visited with a true museum ferry. Here, you will see authentic buildings and learn all kinds of things about life around the Zuiderzee between 1880 and 1930 – in other words, the last years before the completion of the Afsluitdijk in 1932. There are workshops, a fish smokery, a rope maker and more, and you can talk to Urker 'locals' or join a meal in a 1920 household.

There is much fun to be had for children as well. They can try on traditional clothing, make a clog boat of their own or send their very own message in a bottle.

Watch this video: Zuiderzeemuseum Enkhuizen

The binnenmuseum: treasure room of the Zuiderzee

At the indoor museum (open year round), discover the varoius collections presented from a contemporary perspective. Dive into a sea full of stories and experience life on the banks of what used to be the South Sea in an interactive exhibition.

More in the area

If in Enkhuizen, do make sure to at least visit the pleasant harbor and enjoy some fish on a terrace. Another special experience is a trip by historic steam train and the museum ship Friesland past the historic towns of North Holland: Hoorn, Medemblik and Enkhuizen.

Discover the sights of the IJsselmeer region in the center of Holland. Visit Volendam, the Afsluitdijk and Batavialand and go for a boat and bicycle ride through nature. Read more

Discover the IJsselmeer region

Accessibility and parking at the Zuiderzeemuseum

Enkhuizen is less than an hour by car from the capital city of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Enkhuizen is also well accessible by public transport. If traveling by car, make sure to pay attention to where you may and may not park and paid parking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Zuiderzeemuseum can be found in the historic center of Enkhuizen in North Holland. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Zuiderzee or South Sea region, consisting of an indoor and an outdoor museum. The outdoor museum features over 130 authentic houses, where you will learn all about life around the South Sea from 1880 to 1930, the last period before the Afsluitdijk was completed in 1932. The indoor museum boasts a fascinating collection of photographs, traditional costumes, a large collection of wooden ships, and more.
Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen is well worth a visit. More than 140 authentic buildings from around the former Zuiderzee or South Sea were brought together to create this complete open-air museum. Stroll through the cobbled alleys, visit the cheese warehouse, and take a look at the smithy. This is where the history of the Zuiderzee area is brought to life. In addition to the outdoor section, there is also an indoor museum. With the aid of photographs, traditional costumes, and a large collection of wooden ships, you will experience what life looked like before the Afsluitdijk dike transformed the Zuiderzee into IJsselmeer lake. Interesting, educational, and well worth a visit.
Attractions and landmarks near Zuiderzeemuseum include Sprookjeswonderland in Enkhuizen. Sprookjeswonderland or fairytale wonderland is a beautiful park for young children, where fairytales come to life. Most of the attractions are suitable for even the youngest children. The stunning village of Hoorn is less than a 30-minute drive away. This harbor town overlooking IJsselmeer lake boasts a beautiful old inner city full of monumental buildings, well worth a visit! The Museumstoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik, a museum steam tram line, is a special attraction in Hoorn. A piece of history on wheels on which you can go on an exciting trip through time to Hoorn, Medemblik, and Enkhuizen.

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