Urk 4K Walking Tour 🇳🇱 | Unique Former Island Village in the Netherlands

In this video we take a look at the former island of Urk on January the 20th at around 10.30 AM in the morning. A peaceful and quiet winter walk with a temperature of about 2 degrees Celsius.

About Urk

Urk is a former island and fishing village in the Netherlands, located in the province of Flevoland on the eastern edge of the IJsselmeer. Until the 20th century it was completely surrounded by water, but land reclamation projects turned it into part of the mainland. Despite that physical change, Urk has retained a very strong sense of island identity.

The village has a long maritime history and is still one of the most important fishing communities in the country. Fishing is not just an industry there but a central part of daily life, culture, and family tradition. Many residents are connected to the fishing sector in some way, whether directly at sea or through processing, trade, or logistics.

Urk is known for its tight-knit social structure. Families often have deep roots going back many generations, and surnames repeat frequently. The community is strongly religious, predominantly orthodox Protestant, and church life plays a major role in social norms, weekly rhythm, and local customs.

The old center of Urk reflects its island past. It consists of narrow streets, small closely built houses, and winding alleys that once protected residents from wind and storms. The harbor remains the heart of the village, with fishing boats, smokehouses, and monuments commemorating fishermen lost at sea.

Culturally, Urk stands out within the Netherlands. It has its own dialect, distinctive traditions, and a reputation for being inward-looking and conservative, though modern influences and younger generations are slowly changing this image. The village has also received national attention at times due to social issues, media portrayals, or reality television, which locals often feel does not fully reflect everyday life there.

Today Urk is a growing municipality with modern neighborhoods alongside the historic core. While it is no longer an island geographically, many residents still describe it as one in mindset, shaped by centuries of life at sea, shared hardship, and strong communal bonds.