Set on the banks of the Markermeer River, just 30 minutes north of Amsterdam, the town of Edam has long been synonymous with its famous cheese. With well-preserved heritage homes and medieval townhouses lining charming canals and a pretty harbour, it’s also a very picturesque holiday destination. Our Gurus’ pick of the best places to stay in Edam is a chic boutique bolthole with fantastic food - a lovely reflection of the town itself!

Delve into Edam’s rich history at the Edam Museum, housed in a prosperous 16th-century merchant's residence, or admire the leaning Speeltoren bell tower, and the magnificent Grote Kerk as you amble around on foot. Guided tours offer an insight into the town’s prominence as a cheese and timber centre during the Dutch Golden Age, whilst cheese tastings at De Kaaswaag - the historic cheese weighing house - are not to be missed. Re-enactments of Edam’s famous Wednesday Cheese Market at held in July and August, complete with traditional music and costumes.

Adventurers can cycle or stroll along canal-side paths in the sunshine, or venture into the bucolic countryside to spot grazing cows and seasonal displays of bright tulips. Long walks take ramblers through pretty rural villages, where family-owned eateries promise generous lunches of daily specials — often including local cheese. Whether you’re a cheese enthusiast or a fan of medieval architecture, the best place to stay in Edam offers a brilliant springboard for discovering all that the town has to offer.