Edam is most famous for its namesake cheese, known as Edam cheese. It is a semi-hard cheese with a red or yellow wax coating. The cheese market, where the cheese was traditionally bought and sold, used to be a significant event in Edam's history. While the market is no longer operational, visitors can still learn about the cheese-making process and sample Edam cheese at various shops and museums. Edam is known for its well-preserved historic architecture. The town features picturesque canals, na