Historical Hoorn
Explore the surroundings
Hoorn developed from being a small harbour town into an important trading post for the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC). Its strategic position and easy access to the trade routes gave Hoorn a large role in the Golden Age, an era of prosperity and wealth. You still see traces of this wealth around the city in the impressive façades and architecture of the old city centre, the diverse museums, the pretty narrow streets and the harbours. Hoorn is like an open-air museum, where you can still see and feel the past.
Hoorn Harbours
The harbour town of Hoorn is on the Markermeer. The city has six harbours: the Grashaven, the Buitenhaven, the Binnenhaven, WSV Hoorn, De Karperskuyl and Marina Kaap Hoorn. They are all very easy to reach when approaching Hoorn from Enkhuizen/Medemblik and Edam/Volendam/Marken. The pretty harbours have plenty of moorings and all the mod cons. It doesn’t matter how big your boat is, every skipper will receive a warm welcome in our harbours and friendly city.
Shopping in Hoorn
Hoorn city centre boasts some 460 shops and hospitality outlets, all close together. Large department stores, high-street chains, delicatessens and speciality stores, as well as smaller boutiques selling independent labels and off-beat, hand-made accessories. Hoorn’s got the lot. But there’s more to a day of retail shopping than great shops. Stop for a drink and bite to eat at one of the numerous bars, cafés and restaurants in and around the main shopping area. Not forgetting the cosy pavement terraces in the summer months.
Hoorn market
A large market with some 50 stalls is held in the city centre every Saturday. During the summer, themed Wednesday markets add to the friendly vibe in the centre of town. In various shopping streets, you’ll find a diverse market selling art, curiosities, second-hand books and creative nick-knacks. And there’s plenty of entertainment to make sure that visitors enjoy their day out in Hoorn.
Museums and culture
Hoorn is a haven for lovers of history, art and culture.
The city boasts a wide range of shops, monuments, museums, exhibitions, galleries and studios. Relive the past in the Westfries Museum, Museum of the Twentieth Century, the Steam Tram Museum, the Sailing Heritage Centre, and the history room of the Dutch Cape Horners Foundation. Walking through the city centre is a cultural experience in itself, as you will come across countless outdoor statues and works of art. Go to a show or a concert at Schouwburg Het Park or Theater Het Pakhuis, or catch a film at Cinema Oostereiland.
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