The first West Frisian city you encounter today is Hoorn. At the beginning of the Eighty Years' War, Hoorn was briefly the most important trading city in Holland. This was because Amsterdam initially sided with the Spaniards, while many cities rallied behind the Revolt. The Zuiderzee cities, together with the Sea Beggars, blockaded the port of Amsterdam. At Hoorn, this escalated into the Battle of the Zuiderzee between the Spanish fleet and the rebels. Past the Binnenhaven, on the Bossuhuizen, you can see colorful friezes depicting the Battle of the Zuiderzee
Along with Hoorn, Enkhuizen was one of the most prosperous cities during the 'Golden Age', the unprecedented Dutch flourishing period between roughly 1600 and 1700. Both cities were bases for the Dutch East India Company (VOC), which held the exclusive right to trade with Asia (the East Indies). The prosperity brought about by this trade is still evident today in the splendor of both city centers. You can find out all about it at the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen. A visit is highly recommended.
Tip: From April to October, a ferry sails between Enkhuizen and Stavoren in Friesland. The ferry service has been operating since 1886, long before the Zuiderzee became the IJsselmeer. It is a pleasant trip of less than an hour and a half and a relaxing alternative to the Afsluitdijk, which is not accessible by bicycle until the end of 2025 (although a free bicycle bus does run). However, you do miss a significant part of the
