Things to do in Purmerend for self travelers

This self-guided audio walk explores historic Purmerend through the story of trade, water, and town life. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want an accessible introduction to the city’s old center, especially travelers interested in local history, markets, and everyday Dutch heritage. The route begins at City Hall Purmerend, where the civic heart of the town comes into focus, then leads along Gedempte Where and past Huize Henrys. From there, you continue to the former fish market and the area around Museum BroekerVeiling, a reminder of the region’s long connection to commerce and waterways. The walk then opens onto Koemarkt, one of Purmerend’s best-known public spaces. As the route loops through the center, you trace the memory of the poultry market, goods and cloth market, horse market, and cattle market, with stops near Makado and several points around Koemarkt that reveal how different trades once shaped the town. The tour ends back in the Koemarkt area. Along the way, the most memorable experiences include standing where fish, cloth, horses, and cattle were once sold, seeing how canals and filled waterways directed city life, and discovering how a compact Dutch town still carries the rhythm of its market past.