REVIEW · VOLENDAM
Volendam: Traditional Costume Photo with Cheese & Clog Tour
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Simonehoeve Cheese, clogs and restaurant · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Volendam is a quick detour into Dutch style and snacks. You get dressed in traditional Volendam costume, snapped by a photographer, then move right into a cheese-and-clog experience that feels hands-on without taking all day.
I especially like the face-saving practicality of it: you’re given what you need (clothing, time to pose), and you leave with a real souvenir—one high-quality photo per person sized for your fridge or desk. I also like how the guided part gives you context for what you’re tasting, from Gouda/Edam to the clog-making process.
One thing to consider: the experience has the same price for all ages, so kids may feel like a lot at $11 per person. Also, one review noted the staff started a bit unclear at first until things clicked—most likely a communication hiccup, but it’s worth arriving a few minutes early so you can get sorted fast.
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- Where Simonehoeve is and how the experience fits into your day
- Volendam costume photos: the quickest route to a genuinely Dutch souvenir
- The cheese guide: how Gouda and Edam move from craft to flavor
- Clog factory viewing: watching wood turn into footwear
- Shop and tasting time: stroopwafel, fruit wine, and brave cheese samples
- Price and value: why $11 can work if you want both craft and food
- Who this tour suits best (and who might want something else)
- Small pitfalls to plan for before you show up
- Should you book the Volendam costume photo and cheese-and-clog tour?
Key takeaways before you go
- Costume photo first: get dressed, pose, and get your printed photo handled for you.
- Cheese-making guidance: you learn how Gouda or Edam is made, not just the sales pitch.
- Clogs from raw wood: you can see a piece of wood turn into footwear and learn the varieties.
- Tasting with real Dutch favorites: Gouda and Edam, plus biscuits like stroopwafel, fruit wine, and multiple cheese styles.
- Time stays tight: it’s built to fit into about an hour, so it’s efficient rather than slow and leisurely.
Where Simonehoeve is and how the experience fits into your day
This tour runs through Simonehoeve in Katwoude/Volendam, on Wagenweg 2, 1145 PW. The main idea is simple: you’re at one place that blends a cheese setting, a clog workshop, and a shop with Dutch food souvenirs. That makes planning easier than hopping between separate attractions.
If you’re coming from Amsterdam, there’s a straightforward public-transport option. Take bus 316 from Amsterdam CS (IJzijde). You can buy the ticket at the station or from the driver, but note that no cash is accepted on the bus. You’ll find the cheesefarm and clog factory just a couple of meters from the stop called Hotel Volendam, and it’s recognizable by a nearby windmill.
Timing matters. You’ll need to arrive somewhere between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Since the total duration is about 1 hour, I’d plan to be there early enough to check in, get fitted, and avoid feeling rushed.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Volendam.
Volendam costume photos: the quickest route to a genuinely Dutch souvenir
This is the part that sells the whole concept, and for good reason. You get into traditional Volendam wear—think the iconic shapes and layers you’d never pick from your own closet. Men wear the warm, baggy trousers; women typically wear the high, pointed bonnet. Then you add the other signature item: wooden clogs.
Once you’re dressed, the photographer takes care of the pose. You’ll get a picture of you and your group, and you’ll receive one high-quality photo per person as a finished souvenir, sized 15 x 23 cm. The details matter because you’re not just getting a random snapshot that you later lose on your phone. This is a printed photo you can actually keep.
A practical tip: clogs look cute and traditional, but they also feel different underfoot. If you’re walking with them for even a short time, pace yourself. Also, if you have glasses or hair that you don’t want moved around by costume headwear, think about how you’ll secure it so you’re comfortable when the photographer asks you to pose.
One small bonus from the reviews: staff helped people get ready smoothly for photos, including when other groups rolled in. So if you see a larger-than-usual group arriving at the same time, it doesn’t automatically slow you down—it’s more about being ready to go when your turn comes.
The cheese guide: how Gouda and Edam move from craft to flavor
After the photo time, you shift into the guided portion. This is where the tour stops being just a costume moment and becomes a true cheese education stop.
You’ll learn how to make a typical Dutch Gouda or Edam. Even if you’re not trying to replicate the process at home, this is valuable because it explains the logic behind the flavors. Gouda and Edam are often sold as simple categories, but the tour approach makes you think in terms of technique and aging—why one style tastes a certain way and what you should expect when you buy it later.
You also get tasting opportunities during the tour and shop time. The tasting list isn’t vague. You’ll see and taste classic cheeses like Gouda and Edam, and you’ll get the chance to try styles that show how big the Dutch cheese range can be.
One review highlighted a guide who took time with photos, which usually means the same guide energy shows up in the cheese explanation too: you’re not shoved through.
Clog factory viewing: watching wood turn into footwear
Next comes the clog story. In the clog factory area, you’ll get the chance to see wood turn into footwear. That sounds basic, but it’s the kind of visual craft that makes a difference when you’re trying to understand a tradition rather than just buy a souvenir.
You’ll also learn about different varieties of clogs. That matters because clogs aren’t only one look. Shapes, styles, and how they’re used can vary, and learning the basics gives you better taste when you’re browsing in the shop. You’ll know what you’re looking at instead of treating every pair of wooden shoes as the same thing.
A practical note: even if you’re not buying clogs, the factory viewing is still one of the more memorable parts because you see the transformation in front of you. For people who like crafts and making-processes, it’s usually the section that sticks.
Shop and tasting time: stroopwafel, fruit wine, and brave cheese samples
The final stretch is the part you’ll feel in your stomach. Once you’ve gotten the costume and craft bits, you’re given time to look around the shop and taste.
This is where you’ll spot popular Dutch biscuit favorites like stroopwafel. It’s sweet, sticky, and very “only Netherlands” in the best way. You can also taste Dutch fruit wine, which is a nice change of pace if you don’t want only cheese-to-cheese pairings.
Cheese tasting is a highlight here, and it gets specific. You might encounter:
- Gouda or Edam samples
- A very firm style, including a two-year old cheese that can feel rock hard in the slice
- A cheese option flavored with cumin seeds, which is a famous flavor you’ll either love immediately or decide is a personal dare
If you’re sensitive to strong flavors, start with small bites and work your way up. Strong aging notes and cumin can be intense, but trying a few samples is the point: you’ll learn what kind of Dutch cheese you actually prefer, not just what the shop sells best.
And yes—your photos are waiting for you at checkout once you’re finished perusing. That’s one of those behind-the-scenes details that saves time and reduces stress. Instead of trying to track down a photo later, it’s tied to the experience you just completed.
Price and value: why $11 can work if you want both craft and food
At $11 per person and about 1 hour, this is an efficient pick. The biggest value driver is that you’re not only tasting things. You’re also getting a ready-made keepsake photo: one high-quality printed photo per person (15 x 23 cm). If you price that out in your head, it’s part of what makes the whole tour feel fair.
On top of that, you get:
- Costume fitting and a professional-style photo session
- A guided explanation connected to cheese making (Gouda/Edam)
- A viewing of the clog-making process
- Shop time with tastings like stroopwafel, fruit wine, and multiple cheeses
Is it a full-day cultural deep dive? No. But you’re not paying for a marathon. You’re paying for a compact experience where the souvenirs aren’t random postcards—they’re photo and food-based, and they tie directly to what you watched.
One caution: since the price is the same for all ages, it’s not automatically the cheapest activity for families. If you’re traveling with kids, you may want to weigh whether they’ll enjoy the costume part and the snack/tasting part enough to justify the cost.
Who this tour suits best (and who might want something else)
This is a strong match if you:
- Want an easy, structured activity in North Holland
- Like hands-on craft elements (cheese making and clogs)
- Want a classic Dutch photo without arranging your own costume rental and photographer
- Enjoy tasting food with context, not just eating samples in a store
It can be especially fun for families. One review mentioned the guide engaged children and encouraged them to interact. That kind of energy matters in short tours, because kids can get bored fast if there’s no momentum.
It’s also a good choice if you like straightforward logistics. The meeting point is fixed at Simonehoeve, and the experience is self-contained. You’re not bouncing around town for different parts.
If you’re looking for a silent, slow museum-style experience, this might feel a little too playful and sales-shop adjacent. But if you want the Dutch-style combination of photos, crafts, and tasting, this format delivers.
Small pitfalls to plan for before you show up
Because the experience is designed to run on a tight schedule, a few things can make a noticeable difference:
1) Arrive ready to be fitted
Costume dressing takes some coordination. If you show up right at the start of a time slot (or late), you’ll feel rushed.
2) Don’t underestimate clog comfort
Even a short walk in clogs can feel awkward if you’re used to sneakers. If you’re wearing the wrong socks, you might be uncomfortable fast.
3) Language is covered, but you’ll still want clarity
The live guide comes in Spanish, Dutch, English, French, and German. That’s excellent. If you’re traveling with a group, make sure everyone can follow the language you’re assigned so the cheese and clog explanations land well.
4) Some cheeses are meant for the adventurous palate
A two-year old cheese and a cumin-seed cheese can be intense. Try small bites first if you’re unsure.
5) Plan for a bit of social timing
One review described a moment when another arriving group joined in for a photo together. So if you arrive during a busy moment, expect a little friendly crowd energy.
Should you book the Volendam costume photo and cheese-and-clog tour?
Book it if you want a short, fun Dutch experience that blends traditional costume photos, craft watching, and real tasting time in one stop. It’s especially worth it if you like the idea of leaving with a tangible souvenir: a printed photo you didn’t have to arrange yourself.
Skip it or consider alternatives if you’re traveling with kids and price sensitivity matters, since the cost applies to all ages. Also consider another type of attraction if you prefer deep museum-style history over photo sessions and shop tastings.
If your goal is to get a taste of Volendam in the most practical way—clogs, cheese, and a great photo—this one is a solid pick for a 1-hour window in North Holland.
