Northeast Netherlands: Marken, Volendam, Amsterdam with a dog
What to do in the Netherlands with a dog? What are the places you absolutely have to know? What activities to do with your dog? Julia and her dog Bianca tell you about their one-week road trip in 2 episodes! And to start, let's follow them to Marken, Volendam and Amsterdam.
If the Netherlands appeals to you but you don't know where to start to organize your next trip to the Netherlands with your dog, or if you are looking for good tips to explore the Netherlands with your dog , then this new article from the EmmeneTonChien.com Mag is for you!
I didn't have the chance to travel to the Netherlands with Musher, so when Julia, Ambassa'Dog, offered to tell us about her trip with her dog to share her experience with all the dog lovers, I said yes immediately! I couldn't wait to discover her van adventures in the Netherlands. Adventures to follow in two episodes. Julia and her dog Bianca take you behind the scenes of their road trip in the Netherlands . From charming villages to lively cities, passing through magnificent landscapes and dog-friendly places , let their tips and experiences guide you to a unique and unforgettable stay in the Netherlands. Julia shares the details of her 5-day holiday in the Netherlands with her dog. A packed itinerary that will make you want to go! But before that, she gives you a quick overview of the regulations for traveling legally in the Netherlands with your dog.
I'll let Julia speak for this first episode.
Summary
Netherlands: what you need to know to travel with your dog
Hi! We're Julia and Bianca from the Instagram account @biancaadventures . We decided to take a short 5-day road trip in the Netherlands over Easter weekend in March. This date wasn't chosen at random: late March and April are tulip season in the Netherlands! If you're hoping for plenty of sunshine during your trip, be aware that the weather in March and April varies between rain and sun.
Things to know before traveling by car in the Netherlands:
- By car, if you are passing through Belgium (Antwerp, Ghent or Brussels), you will need to register at the LEZ on the Internet (the equivalent of our Crit'air stickers in France). Registration is free if your vehicle meets the criteria. Otherwise, you will have to pay the right of way.
- Remember to check in in Amsterdam. I can't help you with that because I didn't know about it before I went there.
- There are no tolls in the Netherlands. However, all parking is paid (usually 3 to 4 euros per hour, and free on Sundays in some cities). So plan your budget!
Here's what's important to know about traveling to the Netherlands with your pet and what's mandatory:
- Your dog must be old more than 15 weeks.
- An identification by chip ou tattoo is obligatory.
- La rabies vaccination is obligatory.
- To have the european passport provided and completed by a veterinarian.
Now that you know everything about what to expect when crossing the border with your pet, here is a day-by-day breakdown of everything I did with my dog during this 5-day road trip in the Netherlands.
Musher's seasonal advice
Marken and Volendam: first steps of my trip to the Netherlands with my dog
For our first day in the Netherlands, we visited Marken , a very pretty fishing village that can be explored in about two hours. I recommend getting lost in the little streets and wandering around at random to fully appreciate the place. We explored the town and then enjoyed a stroll along the seafront.
For parking, you will find a paid car park at the entrance to the city (3 euros per hour).
Marken has several restaurants, but I recommend trying a small dish from one of the food trucks on the harbor. I personally tried the Dutch fish and chips , which is made with cod. Bianca loved the cod that the vendor kindly gave her.
After the lunch break, we left again to visit Volendam which is only a 20 minute drive away.
Musher and Sophie: “Musher is already jealous! We're so envious. By the way, I spotted Café Blek , which is dog-friendly, a little closer to the center; it looks really nice! Maybe they give out treats there…”
Volendam is also a fishing village! Upon arriving in the town, you'll find numerous paid parking lots, but be patient; a little further on, just past the campsite parking areas, you'll find a free parking lot: “ Parkeerplaats ” (yes, they do exist in the Netherlands!). In addition to being free, this parking lot is right next to a small beach and a path through cow pastures offering a stunning view of a windmill (be aware that if the cows are present, the gates will be closed to the public for obvious reasons).
I'm warning you right now, Volendam is a very touristy town, full of people and souvenir shops. There's also a beach, but we didn't try it and don't know if dogs are allowed.
While there I recommend you go see the Mill by passing through the meadows (“ De Kathammer ”), the Marina Volendam (port of Volendam), the statue De Visserman and stroll through the streets of Volendam.
You will also find the Cheese Factory . It 's a cheese shop, unfortunately dogs are not allowed for hygiene reasons.
Treat yourself to a topped waffle or take a break at a café terrace to enjoy the view.
After a busy day, we headed to our first accommodation of the road trip: the Van Der Walk Hotel . I highly recommend this place because after a good day of hiking, arriving in a luxury hotel with a pool, hammam, and sauna is very pleasant. I chose this hotel at the last minute after my Airbnb was canceled, but I was ultimately very happy to relax in the spa and enjoy an extra-large hotel room with a king-size bed and a terrace! Please note that dogs are welcome at no extra charge, but a €100 deposit will be required and returned after the room has been checked.
Musher and Sophie: “If you prefer guided tours to self-guided visits, it's possible to take this day trip to Edam, Volendam, and Marken with your dog. The itinerary includes hikes, visits, and exploring the three villages. Your dog won't necessarily be allowed at all the visits (especially the cheese factory, as Julia mentioned), so it's ideal if there are two of you! ”
Visiting Amsterdam with a dog
Off we go for our second stop on our road trip in the Netherlands with our dog: heading to Amsterdam !!
We parked in a paid car park 40 minutes from the centre of Amsterdam ( ParkBee Amsteldok , 3 euros per hour). Once parked, we began exploring the city with a visit to a park to stretch Bianca's legs: Sarphatipark.
I highly recommend you go there, because there, dogs are free in the park and there is also a dog park! Part of it is forbidden to them because it contains a lot of free birds but don't panic, the park is well demarcated and bridges with grids on the ground prevent dogs from running towards the birds.
We then went around Amsterdam with our dog, obviously passing through places well known to the public:
- Red Light District : the famous prostitution district.
- Dam Square : the central square of Amsterdam.
- Begjinhof : a medieval courtyard in Amsterdam but dogs are not allowed.
- Negen Straatjes : an area of shops, bars and restaurants (dogs are allowed in).
- Jordan : the working class neighborhood. I loved this neighborhood because it was one of the least touristy places in the city.
- Vondelpark : a very large park in the heart of Amsterdam where dogs are allowed to roam free (be careful if your dog doesn't like bikes because that's all there is in the Netherlands!).
After a long day in Amsterdam, we headed to Hillegom for the night. We booked a room in a private home and were welcomed by Tineke, who also has a dog. She was incredibly welcoming, and Bianca received treats throughout our stay.
Musher and Sophie: “If you want to enjoy the fresh Dutch air, you can go for a walk in the Sarphatipark dog park in Amsterdam, an address shared by Julia and Bianca!
Are you curious to know what happens next on this adventure? Me too! Musher is already drooling… In episode 2, Julia and Bianca travel along the west coast of the Netherlands. From Keukenhof to Gouda, via Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, and Maastricht, discover their visits, stops, and activities on this Dutch road trip here: Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Maastricht and more with a dog . Don't miss a single detail of this trip along the west coast of the Netherlands with a dog!
organize your holidays
Ready to visit Amsterdam with your dog? Has this article made you want to organize a vacation in the Northeast of the Netherlands? Prepare them serenely by clicking on the following links:
Read also
Here are 3 suggestions for dog-friendly accommodations in Volendam and Amsterdam. You can find the full list here . Note: these accommodations are not QUALIDOG certified, so please check the specific conditions for your pet on site.
(By booking your tickets and stays via these links, you will be supporting the site since we will receive a small, very useful commission to finance the many pending projects!)
