Not even twenty minutes away from Amsterdam you'll find an oasis of peace. Grazing cows, polders, small canals and grassland birds. The village of Katwoude is situated beside the water of the Gouwzee in the municipality of Waterland, which is nationally and internationally famous for its cheese farmhouses. At Simonehoeve cheese farmhouse and clog makers you can watch how cheese is made and clogs are carved. How does Gouda or Edam cheese get its flavour?
The vicinity around Katwoude - Waterland - is an excellent cycling and walking area. From Katwoude there are many routes that you can follow, and Monnickendam, Marken and Edam-Volendam are surprisingly nearby. Book a hotel or stay at Katwoude campsite if you want to stay here longer. There is also a windmill in the polder at Katwoude, De Kathammer, which is open to the public (except for the winter months). During a thirty-minute tour, the miller Roel will tell you all about the history and operation of the windmill. The highest mill window gives you the best view over the polder!
(Did you know that in the municipal redivision of 1991 Katwoude was the smallest municipality in the Netherlands?)