Founded in 1300, Hoorn was named for its horn-shaped harbor along the Ijsselmeer, the artificial lake created by the construction of massive dams. Long before the dams, sailors had easy access to the North Sea from here, and this bolstered the success of the Dutch East India Company. A major trader with Asia and the most powerful company in the world, it made Hoorn one of its six home bases. The Dutch navigator Willem Corneliszoon Schouten was born in Hoorn; he is best known as the man who rounded the southern tip of South America in 1616 and named it “Cape Horn” for his birthplace. Brimming with history, the city’s cobblestone streets and age-old cheese warehouses are a delight to explore.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.
Hoorn Walking Tour & Local Performance
Experience the charming city of Hoorn during a walking tour and enjoy a performance by local entertainers.
Dutch Countryside by E-Bike
Pedal along dikes, admiring the scenery through quiet villages and past flower fields.
Tulips & Windmills
Tiptoe through the tulips during an in-depth visit to the bulb fields and greenhouses of a Dutch farm.
