There is much to marvel at in Amsterdam for sure, but after spending a few days there, chances are you’re looking for an easy way to stretch your legs and get out of the city for a bit. The Netherlands is such a small country that there are countless wonderful day trips that you can take!
For the first in our mini-series on Dutch day trips, look no further than Zaanse Schans.
Known for its multitude of windmills and charming green houses, Zaanse Schans is both an open-air museum and a real town, where people still live.
Located slightly north of Zaandam, the historic center is super cute and well-maintained, composed of a variety of 17th and 18th century structures that were moved to the area to protect them.
Just outside the historic area, there is a stretch of waterfront with several antique windmills. Some have cafés inside, some are still fully operational, and some are residences! This quaint area harkens back to a simpler time, and is one of the best examples of traditional Dutch culture and heritage near Amsterdam.
Due to its proximity to Amsterdam and ease of access, Zaanse Schans is very popular! Be prepared for crowds if you go during peak season, and try to get there early in the morning to avoid other tourists. The town is quite small and the main thoroughfares can get pretty cramped.
Note that it’s totally possible to explore Zaanse Schans for free– the outside area is open, and you can choose to pay to enter museums if you choose.
One last note, “denk aan de buren,” as they say in Dutch– think about the neighbors. While it may feel like a life-sized dollhouse, real people live here, too, so it’s always nice to be respectful. We saw someone going into someone’s backyard while we were there, maybe not realizing that it’s someone’s private residence. Word to the wise!
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However you want to get there, Zaanse Schans is a quick journey from anywhere in Amsterdam. There are several options for getting there, easily customizable for your budget and preferences.
The easiest way to get there is by bus. The Connexxion Bus (Line 391, called the Industrial Heritage Line) goes between Amsterdam Centraal and Zaanse Schans a few times each hour. Zaanse Schans is the final stop, and it takes about an hour to get there. In the summertime and peak season, there is another bus, the 891, which is even faster.
There are also a variety of guided day tours available, sometimes combining Zaanse Schans with other nearby attractions like Volendam or Marken. There are a bunch of tours from companies like Viator or GetYourGuide at a variety of price points.
If you prefer the train, the NS service has a “sprinter” option. You can hop on a train towards Uitgeest at Amsterdam Centraal, and get off at Zaanse Schans, Zaandam (4 stops after Centraal.) It’s a slightly longer walk from the train station, but with prime views of the windmills.
Lastly, if you’re feeling up to it, it’s actually a very easy bike ride to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam. As in much of the Netherlands, it’s super flat and the roads are well-paved and smooth. It takes about an hour to get there, but keep in mind you may have to wait a bit at the ferry crossing in Zaandam. It’s a quick, free boat ride across the river, and then you’re almost there. We used the bicycle route suggested on Google Maps and it was a no-brainer. There’s ample bike parking in front of the entrance to the historic area, and it’s nice to stop in Zaandam on the way back for a snack and to peek at the one-of-a-kind Inntel Hotel (see photos below!)
Zaanse Schans Main Attractions
The Windmills
The Netherlands is known worldwide for its windmills, but some of its most iconic are found in Zaanse Schans. Lovingly placed along the Zaan River you will find a variety of styles, colors, and sizes of beautiful windmills, conveniently placed on a path perfect for walking or biking for an up-close view.
Several of the windmills are still operating, producing a variety of traditional products (dyes, oils, paints, and more) and hosting daily demonstrations. You can see chalk and paint being made daily at windmill de Kat, or purchase homemade (windmill-made?) flour every Friday at de Bleeke Dood.
Back in the day, this area was known as the Zaan District. It was one of the first industrial areas in Western Europe due to a life-changing invention by Dutchman Cornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest called the crankshaft. In the late 1500s, he built this contraption to convert horizontal wind into a vertical motion, transforming how windmills were able to saw wood. Previously this was all done by hand… and the Netherlands is an intensely windy place, so you can imagine the impact this invention had.
In the years that followed, the area boomed, with loads of other inventions joining the crankshaft to catapult the area into one of Europe’s largest industrial hubs. Coupled with the rise of Dutch Golden Age era shipbuilding and exploration, the Zaan District was in hot demand– not just for ships, but also homes, shops, and barns, too. Later, windmills would also be used to grind spices and make paint, oil, and other materials as well.
In its heyday, there were over 600 windmills in Zaanse Schans. Today, 8 remain, lovingly transported to the riverfront area in the 1960s from around the region along with many of the other structures in the historic village.
Historic Village
Paired with the historic windmills, the nearby village will definitely give you a sense of having time-traveled. There are several little shops that you can go into for souvenirs, cafés selling coffee and Dutch treats, and even the very first Albert Heijn grocery storefront.
If you’ve walked more than a few blocks (in any direction, in any Dutch town or city!) you’ve probably seen at least one Albert Heijn. Despite having grown up hearing about clogs, Gouda cheese, and tulips, after living in the Netherlands we know that a truer emblem of Dutch culture is their consuming devotion to their favorite grocery store 😉
There are also 7 museums to check out in this area, mostly dedicated to the Zaan District’s legacy of manufacturing. Historic grocery shopping and baking come to life at the Museumwinkel and the Bakkerijmuseum, where you can purchase fresh bread and treats, and you can enter the restored home of a successful merchant family at the Honig Breethuis. Our personal favorite was the clog-making demonstration, and the opportunity to stand inside a giant clog. Name something more Dutch, we dare you!
Jumping forward to the 20th century, you can visit a chocolate factory called the Verkade Experience, where the original machines are still hard at work producing chocolate and cookies to enjoy. If you’re a fan of historic clocks, check out the collection at the Museum Zaanse Tijd, but if home goods are more your scene, the Zaan Museum has an extensive collection from the area.
Overall, Zaanse Schans is a delightful place to spend a half-day or so exploring. After navigating the crowded streets of Amsterdam, getting out of town is always a treat. Zaanse Schans is conveniently located, but you still feel like you’ve ventured way back in time.
Keep an eye out for the next few Amsterdam day trips coming your way soon! We’ve got Utrecht, Gouda, Delft, and more queued up, and cute-as-a-button Haarlem and sophisticated Den Haag (the Hague) are already live. And speaking of tulips… our guide to Keukenhof will give you all the best tips for a stress-free visit to the world capital of tulips.
In the meantime, you can pin this guide for later on Pinterest here or by clicking on the photos below.
