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Van Gogh Museum
2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Van Gogh Museum

10
4.8/5
2.1k reviews

The Van Gogh Museum is located on Museumplein in Amsterdam and is a national art museum centered on Van Gogh's works, holding more than 200 of his oil paintings, hundreds of drawings, and a large number of letters exchanged between him and his brother Theo, a collection that ranks among the foremost of its kind worldwide. The origin of this collection is itself a story: after Van Gogh's death in 1890, the paintings were kept by his brother Theo; Theo passed away shortly afterward, and his widow, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, devoted her life to organizing and exhibiting these works, which had received little attention during Van Gogh's lifetime, ultimately bringing them together into this museum. The permanent exhibition lays out a clear viewing route in chronological order of creation: from the dark-toned "The Potato Eaters" of the Nuenen period in the Netherlands, to the numerous self-portraits of the Paris period, then to "The Yellow House," "The Bedroom," and "Sunflowers" of the Arles period, and finally to "Almond Blossom" and "Wheatfield with Crows" created in the last stage of his life in Saint-Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, making Van Gogh's creative trajectory over a brief ten years clear at a glance. In addition to his own works, the museum also displays paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists such as Monet, Gauguin, and Rodin, many of which were personally collected by Van Gogh and Theo at the time; in Gauguin's "The Painter of Sunflowers," the protagonist is none other than Van Gogh, the painter of sunflowers. The building itself is also worth a closer look: the main building was designed by the Dutch De Stijl architect Rietveld and opened in 1973, with exhibition galleries unfolding layer by layer around an open atrium; the oval wing designed by the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa was completed in 1999 and is dedicated to large-scale temporary exhibitions; and the all-glass entrance building opened in 2015 connects the old and new wings into one. The museum is consistently popular, with dense crowds during peak hours, so if you plan to take a close look at the permanent collection, it is recommended to allow ample visiting time.

Amsterdam · 18.8km from Marken
Zaanse Schans
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Netherlands

Zaanse Schans

7.5
4.7/5
604 reviews

Zaanse Schansis a historic village built along the Zaan River. Since the 1960s, historic buildings from across the Zaan region have been relocated here, gradually forming its current appearance and recreating the scene of the Zaan region during its industrial heyday in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Zaan region was once a major industrial hub in Western Europe, where hundreds of windmills historically operated along the river simultaneously, serving industrial functions such as sawing wood, pressing oil, and grinding dyes and mustard. Today, several traditional windmills still operate along the river in Zaanse Schans, each serving different functions like sawing wood, pressing oil, and grinding dyes and mustard, with some open for visitors to explore inside. Iconic green wooden houses, warehouses, and craft workshops line the riverbank, creating a distinctively Dutch pastoral scene. The village features a clog workshop where visitors can watch the entire process of traditional clog carving; the cheese workshop showcases the craft of making Dutch cheese, with fresh products available for tasting. Additionally, traditional craft venues such as a bakery museum and a pewter casting workshop are scattered throughout. Taking a boat tour along the Zaan River is another way to experience it; with windmills slowly turning and wooden houses dotting the banks, looking back at the entire village from the water is a classic perspective of Zaanse Schans. People still live here today, and strolling through the village allows you to experience traditional Dutch industrial and craft culture while seeing a picture of a living, working historic village.

Zaandam · 19.1km from Marken
Dam Square
No. 5 of Night Attractions in Netherlands

Dam Square

6.7
4.5/5
413 reviews

Dam Square is located in the center of Amsterdam and is known as the "navel" of the city. It is an iconic landmark of Amsterdam. A five-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station along Damrak will bring you to this square, which is bustling with crowds day and night. Historical background Around the 13th century, residents of Amsterdam built a dam along the Amstel River to prevent flooding, which is also the origin of the name Amsterdam. Although the current Dam Square is not large, it has become the central square of Amsterdam. In the past, ordinary people shuttled back and forth here, witnessing various political unrest and demonstrations such as anti-Vietnam War protests. In contrast, while the square is still crowded today, it is filled with a joyful and leisurely atmosphere. The square today Dam Square features various cafes, restaurants, and bars. Due to its prime location, prices are slightly higher, but business is very good, and you often have to wait for a table. Various street performers are also an interesting sight on Dam Square. You can see jugglers performing with long whips, clowns giving passersby a "surprise" from time to time, student bands performing in the open air, and elderly couples performing traditional Dutch folk dances... The chubby pigeons on the square will also gather around to beg for food from time to time. Everything here is full of vitality and joy. Why not order a drink, sit on the stone steps by the square, smell the coffee in the air, enjoy the novel performances of street artists, and feel this joy with the locals. In the spring and fall, the square often hosts various carnivals and themed markets. At that time, the entire Dam Square transforms into a colorful playground. If you happen to be there, be sure to have a great time. Sightseeing nearby The magnificent buildings around Dam Square are also worth seeing. The magnificent blue-roofed building on the west side of the square is the Royal Palace Amsterdam, which is currently used for royal receptions and ceremonies for the inauguration of new monarchs. Adjacent to the palace is the pointed Gothic church, The New Church, which regularly hosts organ concerts and exhibitions. On the south side of the square is the famous Madame Tussauds Amsterdam, from where you can overlook the entire Dam Square through the huge circular glass. On the east side of Dam Square stands the iconic National Monument. This 22m high white tower is guarded by two stone lions to commemorate the soldiers and civilians who died in the World Wars. The area around Dam Square is also a famous commercial district. Large Dutch shopping centers like Magna Plaza, Maison de Bonneterie, and de Bijenkorf(Dam Square) are just a few steps away from Dam Square. In addition, many buses and trams have stops at Dam Square, and it is very convenient to walk to the main attractions in the city from here. At night, Dam Square is brightly lit, presenting another lively scene.

Amsterdam · 17.2km from Marken

Experiences you can't miss in Marken

Featured Culture & history in Marken

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Netherlands Zaandam windmill village + Edam town + Volendam + Marken + cheese and wooden shoe workshop 1-day tour
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FromCAD 82.23
Day Tour to Windmill Village, Volendam, and Marken from Amsterdam, Netherlands
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 4.7 hrs
English
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FromCAD 103.44
Departure from Amsterdam, Netherlands: Zaanse Schans + Edam + Volendam + Marken 1-day tour
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FromCAD 117.75
Amsterdam City Card - I amsterdam City Card
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4.7/5
· 12 reviews· 247 booked
English
Free cancellation
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FromCAD 95.87
Exploring the Dutch countryside: Zaanse Schans windmill village + Edam + Volendam + Marken from Amsterdam
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4.8/5
· 9 reviews· 156 booked
Duration: 7 hrs
English
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FromCAD 58.89
Heineken Experience: Entry Ticket
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3.7/5
· 6 reviews· 113 booked
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FromCAD 39.29
Red Light Secrets Museum: Entry Ticket
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 61 booked
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FromCAD 22.84

Featured Food & drink in Marken

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Amsterdam: Bols Cocktail Experience and Cocktail Workshop
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4.8/5
· 171 reviews
Duration: 1.5–2 hrs
English
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44 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 54.33
Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam
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FromCAD 48.26
Heineken Experience: Entry Ticket + Rooftop Bar
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FromCAD 47.16
Amsterdam Winkel 43 popular restaurant reservation service
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FromCAD 11.50

Featured Outdoor & sports in Marken

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Amsterdam: Countryside Bike Tour and Zaanse Schans Windmills
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
Free cancellation
FromCAD 85.03
Amsterdam: Leisurely Windmill & Countryside Bike Ride
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5.0/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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FromCAD 68.50
Amsterdam: Cheese Tasting, Windmill & Countryside Bike Tour
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4.8/5
· 51 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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29 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 52.48
Small group full day island tour to Texel from Amsterdam
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Duration: 10 hrs
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FromCAD 393.63
Amsterdam: Waterland District Countryside Villages Bike Tour
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
Free cancellation
FromCAD 70.86
Amsterdam: Guided Land Rover Tulip Tour
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Duration: 150 mins
Free cancellation
FromCAD 149.58

Featured Day tours in Marken

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1-day tour from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken
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FromCAD 81.09
Half-Day Tour to Zaanse Schans + Volendam + Marken + Edam (English Bus Tour)
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Duration: 5.3 hrs
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FromCAD 113.83
Day Tour to Windmill Village, Edam, Volendam, and Marken from Amsterdam, Netherlands
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FromCAD 102.97
Classic North Holland Day Tour from Amsterdam: Windmill Village + Edam + Volendam + Marken
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FromCAD 117.55
From Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans + Edam + Marken 1-day tour (optional cruise)
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FromCAD 136.35
Marken Today's weatherMostly cloudy 5-10℃
Marken weather for the next 2 days11/9: 3-10℃, 11/10: 5-7℃

Free things to do in Marken

What travellers say about Marken

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Fi Wong3 November 2026
5.0
Very amazing experience. Many master pieces of van Goho on three floors and two pieces for Monet

Van Gogh Museum

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Tomo智🐬南宫亦月2 November 2026
5.0
A must-visit place when you come to the Netherlands, this is the museum with the most works by Van Gogh. Of course, the exhibits in the Rijksmuseum also show that the Netherlands is a very wealthy country.

Rijksmuseum

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_TI***hq26 July 2026
5.0
The place is beautiful and the whole experience with audio book is amazing. It usually takes around 1 hour and 30 min to see the palace thoroughly. The staff was amazing and the place was tidy and really capturing

Royal Palace Amsterdam

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Maddie913 October 2026
5.0
An amazing experience. Something I have been meaning to go to for years but could never get tickets. Definitely worth doing and experiencing.Tips: book the half hour pre talk before, even if you know all about Anne Frank, it is definitely worth it to set the scene before the tour

Anne Frank House

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Aries Patrick Abadilla Reyes5 November 2026
5.0
We really enjoyed our canal cruise in Amsterdam! It was such a relaxing and beautiful way to see the city from a different perspective. Cruising along the canals, passing under the charming bridges, and admiring the traditional Dutch houses was definitely a highlight of our trip.I travelled with my parents, and it was a lovely experience for all of us. It was especially nice to be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights without having to walk around too much.The views were beautiful, and it was a great opportunity to take photos and appreciate Amsterdam’s unique charm.Overall, a wonderful experience and definitely something I’d recommend when visiting Amsterdam, especially if you’re travelling with family. A lovely way to make memories together! ❤️

Amsterdam Canal Cruises

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Viana’s Journey11 August 2026
5.0
Few small activities you can actually participate in after the guided tour such as karaoke while cycling, selfie corner (you can have the soft copy). We’ve given an extra glass of beer for tasting experience (in total, we’ve gotten 3 glass of beer for one person)

Heineken Experience

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MARK MORDOVTSEV24 May 2026
5.0
The Red Light District is one of the most unique and famous areas in Amsterdam, but I recommend visiting with respect for local people and rules. The atmosphere at night is very lively and interesting, especially with the canals, lights, and historic streets. I also suggest exploring the nearby cafes and smaller streets because some of the best views and authentic Amsterdam vibes are outside the busiest tourist spots.One important thing to remember is that photography of workers behind the windows is strictly forbidden and should always be respected. Overall, this area is much more than nightlife - it is also an important historical and cultural part of Amsterdam with a very unique atmosphere.The photo was taken in the Red Light District area in Amsterdam Centrum, near the famous canals and historic streets close to Oude Kerk (Old Church). This part of the city is easy to explore on foot from Amsterdam Central Station, which is around 10-15 minutes away walking distance. The area is surrounded by narrow canals, old Dutch buildings, cafes, bars, and nightlife attractions. Evening and nighttime are the most atmospheric times for photos because the neon lights reflect beautifully on the canals and create the classic Amsterdam nightlife atmosphere.

Red Light District Amsterdam Centrum

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Mohamed khaliel26 October 2026
5.0
Zaanse Schans feels like stepping into a postcard, where traditional Dutch windmills, charming green wooden houses, and peaceful canals create a truly magical atmosphere! 🇳🇱🌷✨ This beautiful village captures the timeless charm of the Netherlands and offers a glimpse into its rich heritage. A perfect destination for slow travel, stunning photography, and unforgettable memories! 💚 Would you love to experience this Dutch fairytale in person?

Zaanse Schans

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EmperorXi18 February 2025
4.0
It's very good! One of beautiful spots in Europe. Kind Dutch people, and everyone can speak English. Recommend for travelers

Canals of Amsterdam

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Lavender and Sun23 August 2022
5.0
Dam Square was originally built at the end of the 12th century. The north of the Dam Square on the Amstor River is now the Old Town. The houses in this area used to be shops and were very lively. A celebrity was also born here - Zacharias Jansen, the inventor of the telescope.

Dam Square

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Marken?

Don't miss these attractions in Marken: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Royal Palace Amsterdam. If you like Culture & history, try Netherlands Zaandam windmill village + Edam town + Volendam + Marken + cheese and wooden shoe workshop 1-day tour. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Amsterdam: Bols Cocktail Experience and Cocktail Workshop.

You can give Amsterdam: Bols Cocktail Experience and Cocktail Workshop and Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 1-day tour from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken, Half-Day Tour to Zaanse Schans + Volendam + Marken + Edam (English Bus Tour), and Day Tour to Windmill Village, Edam, Volendam, and Marken from Amsterdam, Netherlands. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 8 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Marken is around CAD 81.09 – CAD 136.35. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

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