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11 Fun & Best Things to Do in Zaanse Schans, Netherlands

Tourists on a boat tour in Zaanse Schans

One of the most well-known symbols of the Netherlands is the windmill, and nowhere in the country is it more fun to see windmills than in Zaanse Schans. The village is quirky outside Amsterdam, with restored windmills, a venerated cheese shop, and a cobbler’s house full of famous wooden shoes.

Usually undertaken as a day trip from Amsterdam, visiting the Zaanse Schans village is certainly something you’ll want to fit into your Netherlands itinerary. Technically, you can enjoy the entire experience in just a few hours, but allowing at least half the day for exploration is usually best.

The village has opening hours almost every day of the year, so you can make your trip no matter what month you visit the Netherlands. Let’s learn more about Dutch culture and this curious windmill village that’s an easy day trip from Amsterdam.

TL;DR

  • Most Significant Landmark – The Paint Mill (De Kat)
  • Best Free Activity – Visiting Zaanse Schans
  • Best Activity for Kids – Zaanse Schans Clog Workshop
  • Best Activity for Adults – Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm
  • Best Food – In de Gecroonde Duyvekater Bakery Museum
  • Best Place to Stay – Boutique Hotel Zaan

Things to Do in Zaanse Schans, Netherlands

Zaanse Schans village isn’t a huge place that takes days to explore, and it’s pretty easy to wander along its paths and see everything in a few hours, but that doesn’t mean you should go without a plan and some basic knowledge about what you’ll see during your tour. Consider getting a Zaanse Schans Card to save on entry fees and parking.

1. Take a Boat Ride to Zaanse Schans

Tourists on a boat tour in Zaanse Schans
EKH-Pictures / Adobe Stock

Address: Prins Hendrikkade 59-72, 1012 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands

I mentioned this place is often a tourist day trip destination from Amsterdam, so why not arrive in the most Dutch way possible?

The Dutch once dominated the oceans with a naval force that circumnavigated the planet, but you don’t need to join the Royal Netherlands Navy to enjoy some time out on the water. One of the best options for visiting Zaanse Schans is by boat, where you can cruise around the canals that pass the village on a trip from Amsterdam.

The all-day Zaanse Schans boat tour experience along the River Zaan means avoiding the roads and taking a more idyllic path through the Zaan region. Not only does the tour allow you to visit the clog museum, the cheese farm, and the bakery museum (all of which I’ll cover), but…

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