Our Zaandam and Zaanse Schans Day Trip from Amsterdam

Last updated on June 15th, 2025

We loved our day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Zaandam! This charming area gives visitors a taste of traditional Dutch life with its wooden windmills, historic houses, and local crafts. We spent about 4-5 hours exploring Zaanse Schans and another one hour in Zaandam, which felt like the perfect amount of time to see everything without rushing.

Zaanse Schans is located in the Zaanstreek region, which historically was part of Waterland, so it shares some characteristics with Waterland. That’s a region that’s well worth a visit, so plan a day trip to Waterland using our guide! Its history is closely tied to the industrial development of the area, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Zaan River provided a source of water power, which was used to drive windmills and other machinery. These mills were crucial for industries such as papermaking, oil pressing, and sawmilling.

Today, Zaanse Schans preserves a collection of authentic Zaanse windmills, houses, and workshops, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s industrial past. While some of the windmills were actually moved here from other parts of the Netherlands, it doesn’t take away from the experience. We found it to be a great snapshot of Dutch culture and history. The site feels a bit like a living open-air museum.

Even if you’re short on time in Amsterdam, I’d say Zaanse Schans is still well worth the visit. It’s easy to reach by public transport and gives you a break from the busy city. Just be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds! I’ll share more tips on getting there and what to see in the rest of this post.

Planning Your Zaanse Schans Day Trip

A trip to Zaanse Schans needs a bit of planning. I’ve picked up some useful Zaanse Schans tips to share.

Best Time to Visit

Zaanse Schans gets busy, especially in summer. To dodge the worst crowds, I suggest arriving early. The site opens at 9 AM, and it’s much quieter before 11 AM. Another good time to visit is late afternoon, after 3 PM. Most tour groups have left by then. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.

If possible, try to avoid peak summer months (July and August). Spring and fall offer milder weather and fewer tourists. Winter can be chilly, but there’s a cozy charm, and it’s magical when there’s snow on the windmills.

However, a few minor attractions are closed during the low season, and only two or three windmills are open to visitors. Check the website to see which mills will be open on the day of your visit.

Avoid Dutch school holidays if you can. The village gets packed with families then.

Zaanse Schans’ attractions are spread out, so you’ll be out in the open a lot. Since this is north Holland and the North Sea is right there, you can never say for certain if there will be rain or heavy winds. Always be prepared with the proper gear.

Planning ahead can make your Zaanse Schans trip much more enjoyable. Here are some key things to keep in mind for a great day out.

Timings and Ticket Information

Zaanse Schans is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, but some sites open at 10 AM. Entry to the area is free, and there are many free things to do, but some specific attractions and all the windmills charge separate fees to enter. You’ll have to buy them at the cash desk of each attraction.

If you’re driving or not buying any discount pass for Amsterdam and its regional sights, I suggest buying a Zaanse Schans Card online before you go. Besides giving you access to all the paid sights and two mills of your choice, you also get a digital audio tour, free access to the restrooms, and you don’t waste time standing in line to buy tickets. The Zaanse Schans card saves money if you plan to visit multiple paid sites. Without it, expect to pay about €7.50 per windmill and about €12 per museum.

If you have the I Amsterdam Card for 1 to 5 days, then all the Zaanse Schans attractions are already included. If you have the Zaansche Molen membership card, you can visit any of the open mills and the mill museum. All the museum entries are included in the Museum Card, but not entry to any mills or other workshops and experiences. Go City Passes get you entry to only the Zaans Museum, Verkade Experience, Weaver’s House and Coopery in addition to the free experiences. However, the passes let you get to Zaanse Schans on a bus tour or by the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus.

I recommend setting aside at least 3-4 hours to explore. This gives you time to see the main sights and sit down for a bite to eat without rushing.

The I Amsterdam Card is excellent value if you want to visit several attractions in Amsterdam and the surrounding region over the course of 1 to 5 days. This card also allows you to travel for free within the city’s public transport network. Transport to Zaanse Schans is NOT included in this card.

Accessibility for Travelers with Disabilities

Zaanse Schans has made efforts to be more accessible, but there are still challenges. The main paths are paved and suitable for wheelchairs. Some buildings have ramps, but others have steps.

Many windmills aren’t wheelchair-friendly due to steep, narrow staircases. The Zaans Museum is fully accessible and offers a great overview of the area’s history. Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the visitor center, but it’s best to reserve one ahead of time.

I recommend contacting attractions in advance to check specific accessibility details. Some places offer special tours or assistance for visitors with disabilities.

How to Get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam

A day trip to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam is easy. It is a neighborhood of Zaandam, near Zaandijk in the Netherlands.

The train is the best way to get to Zaanse Schans. It’s quick and drops you close to the village at stop Zaandijk Zaanse Schans. Trains leave from Amsterdam Centraal every 15 minutes. The ride takes about 20 minutes. From there, it’s about a 20 minute walk over the Zaan river and a bit farther to the information center where you can pick up the Zaanse Schans Card if you want it. If not, the museum and a few other experiences are also very close.

You can also get there by bus, where the closest stop to the information center of the open air site is Zaandam, Zaanse Schans. If you’re starting from Amsterdam Centraal, take a metro to Noorderpark and then take bus 391 almost to the entrance.

You can also take a sprinter train to Wormerveer station and then switch to bus no. 69 that also goes right to the entrance.

Zaandijk Pedestrian Ferry: Take a short ride on the Zaandijk Pedestrian Ferry to cross the Zaan River from Zaandijk on the west bank to the Bonte Hen mill on the east bank. This is a fun way to get to Zaanse Schans if you’re arriving by train.

I highly recommend getting the I Amsterdam Card. It is excellent value if you want to visit several attractions in Amsterdam and the surrounding region over the course of 1 to 5 days. This card also allows you to travel for free within the city’s public transport network. Transport to Zaanse Schans is NOT included in this card, but the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket lets you travel outside of Amsterdam for 1 to 3 days, while also saving you a good bit of money.
The I Amsterdam Card lets you save on most of the popular attractions, but the Go City Explorer and All-Inclusive Passes include a few exclusive offers and some tours that include transportation to and from locations outside the city. It’s a great choice if you’d rather not deal with public transport trains and buses outside of the city. Both passes let you use the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus to get you to Zaanse Schans, while the All-inclusive pass lets you take a bus tour directly to Zaanse Schans.
If neither passes work for you and you like the idea of a guided tour with transportation, this tour from Amsterdam is very popular.

Do you like photography? Zaanse Schans is great for that but so is Amsterdam if you know where to look. Use our guide to the best places to take pictures in Amsterdam.

Best Things to Do in Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans packs a lot of Dutch charm into a small area. Here’s a handy interactive map of the village.

We loved strolling through the village’s charming streets lined with Zaan- style brick and green wooden houses with gabled roofs. These were actually moved here from around the Zaan region to preserve them. While the houses are inhabited and not open for public visits, you can still admire their charm from a respectful distance.

There’s a lot to do besides strolling around the village. Here are the spots you can visit, but under each type of attraction, I’ve listed them in order of what we thought were the best and we needed to prioritize.

Windmills of the Zaan River

The iconic windmills are the stars of Zaanse Schans. I counted eight working mills along the Zaan River, each with its own story. Two more smaller ones stand apart from the main ones.

You can go inside some of the mills for a fee, and if you have the Zaanse Schans Card, you can enter them for free. Each mill is dedicated to a specific job. Once you’re inside, you may be able to climb the steep stairs up to the platform just below the huge whirling blades. You can also watch the huge wooden gears turn. The millers are happy to chat about their work.

Here are the different windmills that you can visit depending on the day.

The Houseman: The Houseman (De Huisman) is one of the oldest windmills in Zaanse Schans, and it’s a real beauty. You can’t help but be impressed by the craftsmanship and design. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the area. This is a spice mill and warehouse, where you can indulge your senses and sample an array of flavorful and aromatic spices.

De Bonte Hen: De Bonte Hen (The Speckled Hen) is a vibrant oil mill that stands at the northernmost end of the mills. The mill’s unique octagonal design, featuring a balcony and a slender silhouette, sets it apart from others. It’s not just a pretty face; this windmill has a fascinating history and is still operational today. For many years, this “top turner” was utilized to extract oil from various seeds and nuts. After years of neglect, it was renovated and now used often. The original oil cellars are still there, while the next door press cake barn was converted into a home.

The Young Sheep: The Young Sheep (Het Jonge Schaap) is one of the best windmills to visit in Zaanse Schans just for seeing how everything works. This sawmill, the last of its kind in the Netherlands, features a distinctive hexagonal structure and is the only remaining operational “top-turning” timber mill in the country. It’s a great place to see the inner workings of a traditional mill and appreciate the skill and hard work that goes into it.

The Cat: The Cat (De Kat) is the only remaining paint mill in the world. It is used for grinding pigments for paint. This windmill is all about color and creativity, and you can see how different pigments are made. The mill grinds raw materials to create pigments for traditional paint-making, using a recipe developed by the renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn. You can climb the steep staircase inside to emerge outside on the high balcony just below the windmill’s blades. A word of warning though – the way back down is by a steeper ladder-like set of stairs that you use backwards!

The Seeker: The Seeker (De Zoeker) is only open one day a week during the high season. It is the oldest of all the mills and used to pump water before being used to mill oil, paint, and cocoa. Now it is an oil mill again that still works today.

The Cloverleaf Mill: The Cloverleaf Mill (Het Klaverblad) is rarely open to visitors. It is a sawmill for smaller timber sizes.

Windmillhopper: The Windmillhopper offers a unique way to see the various windmills by boat. There’s a guide that explains the history of the windmills, and the tour starts from next to De Huisman mill and lasts about 25 minutes. It’s a convenient and enjoyable way to see everything and make the most of your visit. It is only available during the high season every day except on Tuesdays.

Zaanse Schans Museums

The windmills created a thriving economy not only for for the village and surrounding areas, but for the whole of Western Europe. Commercial shipbuilding and trade were big in the Dutch Golden Age (17th century) as well as in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The rich history of the Zaans region truly came alive when we immersed ourselves in the multi-sensory experiences offered by the museums at Zaanse Schans. We couldn’t visit them all, but the ones we did had interactive exhibits where we could witness firsthand the historical processes of transforming raw materials into finished products and the methods used to transport these goods. These engaging displays breathed life into the stories, and we gained a deeper understanding of the region’s fascinating heritage.

Zaans Museum and Verkade Experience

In the small Zaans Museum, take a deep dive into the local history and culture. You enter it from the information center and it’s a good first stop to get your bearings before exploring the village. Plan to spend about an hour in total here and in the Verkade Experience.

You learn how the Zaan region became an industrial powerhouse in the 1700s. Cover everything from the iconic green-painted wooden houses to the famous Dutch windmills that define the region’s landscape. Explore displays of everyday objects, traditional clothing, artworks, and industrial materials, which together paint a vivid picture of the region’s remarkable history in shipbuilding, whaling, and food production.

Another interesting nugget we learned was that during his visit to the Zaan region, the renowned French artist Claude Monet was so captivated by the area’s stunning landscape that he immortalized it in an impressive collection of 25 paintings and nine sketches. A few of these are on display at the museum.

Zaandam is quite remarkable and there is enough to paint for a lifetime. Houses in all colours, hundreds of mills, and delightful boats. – Claude Monet in a letter to his friend Camille Pissarro

The Verkade Experience is an extension of the Zaans Museum. It showcases the history of the famous Dutch cookie and chocolate company. It’s an interactive and fun way to learn the origins of the company.

Windmill Museum

The Windmill Museum is the northern-most attraction and is all about the history and mechanics of windmills. You’ll learn how these iconic structures work and their importance in Dutch history. It’s an informative and engaging experience that will deepen your appreciation for these engineering marvels.

Zaanse Time Museum

If you’re fascinated by the history of timekeeping, you won’t want to miss Museum ‘Zaanse Tijd‘. Housed in a charming 18th-century weaver’s house, this museum is home to an incredible collection of Dutch timepieces spanning over 500 years. From grandfather clocks to Zaan-style clocks, you’ll find a wide variety of stunning pieces that showcase the craftsmanship and ingenuity of Dutch clockmakers.

One of the most remarkable items in the collection is the first world clock from 1755. This clock displays local times in 17 different locations around the globe, which is pretty impressive considering the technology available at the time. As you explore the museum, you’ll also come across ancient Egyptian water clocks and the oldest collection of church clocks in the Netherlands, giving you a rich sense of how timekeeping has evolved over the centuries.

Albert Heijn Museum Shop

Also known as ‘Albert Heijn’s First Shop’, this museum offers a fascinating glimpse into what a Dutch grocery store looked like back in the late 19th century. The shop was first established by Albert Heijn himself in 1887. The original furnishings and stock are very well-preserved. It’s hard to believe that this small, quaint shop was the starting point for what would eventually become a global retail chain.

As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by the sight of wooden counters, copper scales, and all sorts of decorative items from the era. One of my favorite exhibits is the hand-operated coffee grinder – it’s incredible to think about how much manual labor went into running a grocery store back then!

The best part? Entry to the museum is completely free! It’s open on both weekdays and weekends, so you can easily fit a visit into your schedule.

Bakery Museum de Gecroonde Duyvekater

The Bakery Museum ‘In de Gecroonde Duyvekater,’ opened in 1972, spotlights the history and tradition of Dutch baking. Originally a bakery since 1658, it still makes traditional products like marzipan and ‘Duivekater,’ a sweet holiday bread. The smell of fresh bread and pastries is just heavenly. You’ll see the bakers in action and learn about the history of the craft. The museum is decorated in a 19th-century style and offers free entry.

Jisper House and Honig Breethuis

The Jisper House (Jisperhuisje) and Honig Breethuis a beautifully preserved historic home that offers a glimpse into traditional Dutch life. The former is a fisherman’s cottage and the latter was the home of a merchant family. Both are filled with period furnishings and interesting artifacts that bring the past to life. Jisper House is rarely open to visitors, but Honig Breethuis is open for a few days a week.

Traditional Dutch Craft Workshops

Zaanse Schans is full of workshops where you can see old-school Dutch crafts in action. Most workshops are free to visit. Don’t be shy about asking questions – the artisans love sharing their knowledge.

The Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm

Cheese Farm ‘De Catharina Hoeve’ offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe the cheese-making process and taste various cheeses, including Edam, Gouda, goat, sheep, and nettle cheeses. Established in 1987 in a traditional Oostzaan style by Albert Heijn, the farm features historical architecture and hosts daily demonstrations. It is open to the public for free, with a shop selling a range of cheeses.

Weaver’s house

The Weaver’s House, built elsewhere between 1722 and 1730, is a historic dwelling that showcases the traditional craft of sailcloth weaving. It served as a home and workspace for two families and contains five looms. After being saved from demolition, it was relocated and restored to the Zaanse Schans in 2015.

The house now operates as a museum, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about and experience home weaving firsthand on authentic looms. Entry to this one is not free, but it is worth paying the small fee. It is also included in the card.

Clog Workshop

The Wooden Shoe Workshop ‘De Zaanse Schans’ dives into the history and craftsmanship of clogs, featuring a clog museum with a remarkable collection of antique wooden shoes, including unique bridal and church styles, and the extraordinary ‘diamond clog’. Visitors can watch skilled artisans create clogs.

Admission is free, and the workshop also serves as the largest clog shop in the Netherlands, offering a variety of souvenirs.

Craft Center De Saense Lelie

The Craft Center De Saense Lelie (The Science Lily) is a historically significant building in Zaanse Schans, originally a granary from Westzaan. Relocated in 1973, it now serves as a craft center and shop showcasing various artisanal products, including Delft blue pieces, gold, silver and diamond jewelry, and freshly baked syrup waffles! Visitors can explore the historic atmosphere of the 18th-century warehouse while enjoying free entry.

The Tinkoepel Pewter Foundry

Visit the Tinkoepel Pewter Foundry for free to see how pewter items are crafted. The process is fascinating, and the end products are beautiful. The building is an 18th-century tea dome where daily demonstrations of pewter casting using historic bronze molds from the 13th century take place.

The foundry was relocated here in 1967 and is still run by the Blaauboer family, who continue the craft passed down through generations.

Tiemstra Coopery

Learn about the traditional craft of barrel-making at Tiemstra Cooperage. originally part of a shipyard. You’ll see how these essential items for storage and transport were made in the past and appreciate the skill involved. It’s an interesting and educational stop. It’s open for visitors with specific entry fees and free access with the Zaanse Schans card.

Shop for Treats and Souvenirs

Liqueur Distillery De Tweekoppige Phoenix

De Tweekoppige Phoenix is a tasting room and distillery of local spirits situated in a barn dating back to the 17th century. You’ll learn about the distillation process and get to sample some unique liqueurs, including local specialties made from natural ingredients. You can also enjoy a range of refreshments in a historic setting.

View on Cacao

Step into the world of chocolate at View on Cacao (Blik op Cacao). Here, you’ll dive into the rich history of cacao production in the region. Expect to learn about the entire chocolate-making process, from bean to bar, and don’t miss the chance to sample some delectable and unusual treats.

Het Jagershuis: Trash & Treasures

“Trash & Treasures” is an antique shop – “Het Jagershuis,” the oldest house in Zaanse Schans, built in 1623 for the Jager family. The building features unique Gothic details and decorative wood carvings and has a rich history, including a past as a lumberyard.

The house dates back to a time when tar, rather than paint, was the primary means of protecting wood. Various types of tar, such as coal tar, carbolineum, and Stockholm tar, were used before the iconic green, high-gloss paint became popular. As a result, this particular house is completely black in color.

The shop offers a variety of antiques and collectibles, so it’s an appealing destination for visitors wanting to uncover unique souvenirs.

The Windmill Shop is the perfect place to pick up windmill-themed souvenirs, from miniature models to decorative items.

The gift shop Orse-Ket aan ’t Glop, originally a bookshop believed to be haunted, now offers unique gifts and creative workshops, including soap-making and candle-making.

Vrede Souvenirs & Gifts Warehouse is a historic four-bay granary. It now serves as a gift shop with unique souvenirs.

Culinary Experiences in Zaanse Schans

Outside of cheese, chocolate, or liquer tasting, Zaanse Schans two places to sample Dutch treats for a meal during your visit.

We headed to a warehouse-style pancake house called De Kraai for lunch. Dutch pancakes are thinner than American ones but bigger and crispier. We tried both sweet and savory options. In addition to their specialty Dutch dishes, the restaurant offers a diverse array of sandwiches, fresh salads, soups, aromatic coffees and teas, and a selection of pastries.

For a more elevated meal, Restaurant De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis is a specialty dining establishment, housed in three historic buildings and an adjoining garden. One of the buildings used to house an orphanage. It has a striking lilac-colored tile fireplace and a terrace overlooking the water.

Some of the best restaurants in Zaanse Schans are actually not exactly in the village but across the river and in Zaandam, so if you time your visit right, you may want to have lunch before or after seeing everything.

What to Do in Zaandam

Zaandam is a charming town just north of Amsterdam. The train from Amsterdam stops here on the way to Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is actually in Zaandam! It’s the famous area with several windmills very close to Zaandam town.

If you have the time, a short visit either before or after Zaanse Schans is worth it. Zaandam town itself doesn’t have as many windmills as Zaanse Schans, but there are a few scattered around town. We spotted one called De Held Jozua near the train station.

You can stroll along the river Zaan and around the heart of the town, where you’ll see some very quirky architecture. Specifically, check out the facade of Station Zaandam and the Inntel Hotel. Gedempte Gracht is the main shopping street in town.

Czar Peter House is a must-see. It’s where Russian Tsar Peter the Great stayed in 1697. The tiny wooden building is now a museum. It will take you about 30 minutes to tour.

If you’re a Claude Monet fan, the Zaanse Schanse Museum doesn’t have more than a few paintings and sketches of his. To see copies of all of the works he did of the area, visit Monet Atelier in Zaandam NL. There’s a small entry fee and you can also watch a video about Monet and his history in Zaandam.

Visit Zaanse Schans or Kinderdijk?

There is a Zaanse Schans alternative if you want to several Dutch windmills in one area. It’s called Kinderdijk.

If you ask any local about where to see windmills in the Netherlands, they’ll probably point you to one of these two sites. But choosing between Zaanse Schans and Kinderdijk can be tricky. Both spots showcase Dutch windmills and charm, but they’re quite different.

You’ll love Zaanse Schans for its cute green houses, museums showcasing the area’s history, and working windmills. It’s a historic village and living museum. Some of the mills and heritage houses are transplanted from other parts of Holland. It’s closer to Amsterdam, making it an easy half-day trip. You can watch artisans make traditional products like clogs and cheese, which is pretty cool.

Kinderdijk is very close to Rotterdam. It can feel more authentic, and there are no other attractions besides windmills. It’s a UNESCO site with 19 original windmills in a row. The scenery is stunning, especially at sunset. It’s farther from Amsterdam, so plan for a full day out if that’s your base.

I’d say both are worth seeing if you can. But if I had to choose just one, I’d pick Zaanse Schans for its variety and convenience. For a deeper dive into Dutch water management, pick Kinderdijk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a trip to Zaanse Schans can bring up some questions. I’ve been there a few times, so I’ll share what I’ve learned to help make your visit smoother.

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