Amsterdam is certainly a beautiful city, with its famous canals, tons of bikers, and no lack of incredible architecture.
However, if you’d like to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, I highly recommend trying a top Amsterdam windmill tour! Zaanse Schans is a picturesque village right outside of Amsterdam, and it known for how well its historic windmills have remained preserved.
You’ll learn about the windmill’s historic significance, as well as Dutch cultural traditions through visits to workshops, canals, cheese shops, and more.
Best Amsterdam Zaanse Schans Windmill Tours
| Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam | Countryside & Zaanse Schans Windmills Private Tour | Zaanse Schans Windmills and Volendam Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Combination Tour | Best Private Tour | Best Small-Group Tour | |
 | |||
 |  |  | |
| Departure: | De Ruijterkade 151, 1011 AC Amsterdam | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Overhoeksplein 51, 1031 KS Amsterdam |
| Start: | 8:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:15 AM |
| Duration: | 10 hours | 5 to 6 hours | 5.5 hours |
| Includes: | Live commentary on board, tour of the cheese factory + clog factory, 1-Hour Boat Cruise, bottled water | Private tour and transportation, WiFi on board, A visit to the dykes, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water | Group size max 8 persons, Cheese tasting, Dutch fruit wine, Expert guide, Air-conditioned vehicle |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Zaanse Schans Windmill Tours For 2024
- Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam
- Countryside & Zaanse Schans Windmills Private Tour
- Zaanse Schans Windmills and Volendam Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam
- Private Tour to the Windmills, Cheese and Clogs and Volendam from Amsterdam
- Keukenhof & Windmill Village Guided Tour From Amsterdam
Amsterdam Zaanse Schans Windmill Tour Reviews
1. Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: De Ruijterkade 151, 1011 AC Amsterdam
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM
- Includes: Live commentary on board, tour of the cheese factory + clog factory, 1-Hour Boat Cruise, bottled water
Starting things off on the right foot, we bring you one of the most comprehensive tours of its kind. This 10-hour expedition is the perfect opportunity to get to learn about Dutch culture thanks to the small group setting.
If that sounds like fun to you, I highly recommend checking out the Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip from Amsterdam.
Starting off at 8:00 am, you’ll meet up with your guide and you and the rest of your group will hop onboard a comfortable, air-conditioned coach. Get ready for a spectacular day full of sightseeing with a professional guide who offers excellent insight into local way of life and history.
The journey there is a nice one, with comfortable seating and large windows to view the Dutch countryside while listening to your guide’s educational commentary on the enchanting region.
The excursion commences with a trip to the legendary Kooijman Souvenirs & Clogs Wooden Shoe Workshop (is there anything more stereotypically “Dutch” than this?!), where you’ll watch how these craftsmen put their talent into creating clogs.
I have to say, I was tempted to grab a pair myself when I saw how much skill and passion goes into making these whimsical shoes. By now, your stomach may be growling, so it’s time to head on over to the heavenly Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm!
Expand To See More
This place is known around the world for being a cheese haven, and it’s here where you’ll learn about the intricate Dutch Gouda-making process involving techniques kept over hundreds of years!
Take some time to try these rich delicacies before making your way over to the remarkable working Molen De Kat windmill and learn about its history and mechanisms.
If you’d like, you can climb all the way up to take in some incredible majestic views of the surrounding landscape before you have a few hours of free time to explore the Keukenhof flower gardens. You’re in the Netherlands, so you have to see the blooming tulips, of course!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Countryside & Zaanse Schans Windmills Private Tour
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM
- Includes: Private tour and transportation, WiFi on board, A visit to the dykes, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water
Perhaps that first tour sounded like fun to you, but you’re in the market for a tour that’s a bit shorter. If so, then the Countryside & Zaanse Schans Windmills Private Tour is just the ticket!
Not to mention, it’s a great opportunity to explore a charming fishing village and Marken Haven’s iconic houses! I really appreciated that this tour included a hotel, port, train station, or airport pickup which made things so much more convenient for us and we were able to sleep in a little longer because of it!
Your transport for the day is an upscale, air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle (the type depends on your group size) which was very comfortable and smooth and has wifi so you’re never without service.
As it’s a private tour, you only travel with your party and get full access to ask your guide any questions you may have! Our first stop of the day is a fun one, as it’s the Volendam fishing village full of artisanal goods, tradition, and amazing Dutch architecture.
Renowned for its picturesque setting, you’ll be able to learn a ton about Dutch culture, history, and the fishing industry that kept the village going for hundreds of years.
Expand To See More
Right on the scenic waterfront, you’ll see tons of colorful wooden houses built on stilts and learn about what life was like here in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Cheese Factory Volendam is a must for any cheese lover, where you’ll learn about the intricacies that go into their unique cheese-making process and of course, sample a wide variety of delicious cheeses. Learn about the clog industry and how they’re made, and even spot locals in traditional Dutch costume!
Once in Zaanse Schans, explore the historic shipyard (super cool for anyone with a remote interest in vessels), and check out the iconic Holland mills. You can go up to the mill and see its inner workings, and learn about Dutch life throughout the centuries.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Zaanse Schans Windmills and Volendam Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Departure: Overhoeksplein 51, 1031 KS Amsterdam
- Departure Time: 9:15 AM
- Includes: Group size max 8 persons, Cheese tasting, Dutch fruit wine, Expert guide, Air-conditioned vehicle
If you have a few hours and would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the lively Amsterdam, then we have a fantastic tour for you.
The Zaanse Schans Windmills and Volendam Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam allows for a maximum of 8 people per group, allowing for an intimate experience that you simply can’t get on most tours.
If you’d like to discover some of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands, do yourself a favor and just sign up right now. Start your tour by meeting your guide and the rest of your group at the entrance of the This Is Holland building, which is right next to the ADAM Tower.
This is a convenient meet-up spot for most people, and there’s a nice little breakfast joint nearby if you’d like to grab a coffee and pastry or sandwich beforehand. Everyone will then board the air-conditioned coach, and head off for the Dutch countryside until you get to Zaanse Schans.
This iconic windmill village is actually the oldest industrial part of Europe, and is where Dutch heritage was actually born! Watch it come to life as you venture around this fairytale-like location and even go inside one of the windmills to learn how it works.
Expand To See More
After some time here, head on over to the Irene Hoeve Clogs and Cheese Shop, which is a family-owned spot showcasing Dutch craftsmanship.
Here, you’ll get to watch how they make wooden clogs and handmade Gouda cheeses using skills passed down over hundreds of years. It was surprising to me just how much work and intricacy goes into both art forms, and tasting the cheeses made it that much more memorable.
At this point, you and your group get to choose whether you’d like to visit Monnickendam or Volendam.
Monnickendam is known for its old fishing village and smokehouses, with winding streets overlooking the beautiful sea and tranquil atmosphere. Volendam is on an old sea dike, featuring brightly-colored wooden houses, charming cafes, delicious eateries, and a whole lot of traditional Dutch culture at every turn.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Private tour to the Windmills, Cheese and Clogs and Volendam from Amsterdam
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Departure Time: Anytie between 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Includes: Pick up with 1 or 2 Mercedes vehicles (depends on availability), transport by a private air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle, entrance ticket to a Windmill of your choice, local taxes Driver/Host, option to taste the best cheese, option to buy the best waffles in Volendam
We can’t forget this magical tour that will take you from Amsterdam to some of the most breathtaking villages in all of Europe. The Private Tour to the Windmills, Cheese and Clogs and Volendam from Amsterdam Experience is a 5-hour tour that is simply the most comfortable way to do so.
With a luxury vehicle, private group setting, and expert guides and drivers, if you want to feel like the VIP you are check this one out. The fact that this tour includes a hotel, port, train station, or airport pickup was such a big relief, offering us more time to sleep in and not have to worry about booking separate transportation.
You’ll be cruising around today in an air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle (the type depends on your group size) which was very comfortable and small enough to navigate through small streets. As it’s a private tour, you won’t be traveling with any strangers and get full access to ask your guide any questions you may have!
This captivating exploration of Dutch heritage will cover the country’s industrial past, expert craftsmanship, and idyllic village life, kicking off with a visit to Zaanse Schans.
Here, you’ll witness these amazing iconic structures in all their glory and even learn about their inner workings by going inside of one! I really loved seeing the paint windmill, which is famous for its association with Rembrandt who actually bought his paint from it!
Expand To See More
Next up is an immersive experience at a local clog factory where you’ll witness how they make the classic wooden shoes using traditions passed down from generation to generation.
You can even buy a pair for yourself, which is really tempting after seeing just how much love and work goes into each one! Next up is the highlight for me: a visit to the Jacobs Hoeve Cheese Farm!
Here, you’ll learn all about making Dutch gouda and even get to try some after watching how they make it. Then, visit the wonderful fishing village of Volendam and see this exemplary vision of Dutch culture.
The beautiful harbor, amazing lunch at a well-known fish restaurant, and warm atmosphere make it a must-see.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Keukenhof & Windmill Village Guided Tour From Amsterdam
- Duration: 9 hours
- Departure: Ruijtergaard near Amsterdam Central Station
- Departure Time: Contact tour operator
- Includes: Transportation, Guide, Entry to the Keukenhof Gardens, Guided tour of Keukenhof Gardens, Clog-making and cheese-making demonstration, Cheese tasting, Amsterdam canal cruise voucher (if option selected)
Immerse yourself in a fantastic day filled with Dutch beauty and cultural gems with one of the most complete tours of its kind.
On the Keukenhof & Windmill Village Guided Tour from Amsterdam, you’ll explore amazing flower fields, traditional craftsmanship, delicious food, and so much more on this guided experience.
If you’re looking to see as much of the Netherlands as you possibly can in a short amount of time, this is a great way to do so! You’ll start by meeting your guide and the rest of your group at a location just a few minutes walking from the Amsterdam Central Station, which is relatively easy to get to.
I found the guide to be excellent at time management, organization, and overall knowledge. As you drive to your first destination, they’ll offer educational explanations, historical commentary, and fun anecdotes along the way.
The first stop of the day is at the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens, where you’ll get to see and learn about the daffodils, crocuses, and of course, tulips!
Expand To See More
The 45-minute guided tour was very comprehensive, as they tell you how each is cultivated, as well as the history and cultural relevance. Honestly, it’s the most entertained I’ve ever been about flowers, and I plan on going back and checking it out again.
Next up is the Zaanse Schans windmill village, where you’ll feel like you’ve gone back hundreds of years! You’ll get to watch how Dutch wooden clogs are made, and fill up on delicious cheeses while watching an interesting cheese-making demonstration.
Then, go on a guided walking tour through the unique village and learn all about its history before enjoying some leisure time to explore as you wish.
Oh, and you also have the option of adding on an Amsterdam canal cruise, where you’ll get to appreciate some of the biggest tourist attractions from this relaxing, beautiful point of view.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
FAQs About the Zaanse Schans Windmill Village
Q: What is Zaanse Schans?
A: Zaanse Schans is a residential area in Zaandam, near Amsterdam, where you can experience the 18th and 19th-century Dutch countryside. It has a collection of wooden houses, windmills, barns, and workshops that showcase the traditional crafts and industries of the region.
Q: How can I get to Zaanse Schans?
A: You can get to Zaanse Schans by car, train, bus, boat, or bicycle. It is about 12 miles from Amsterdam and takes around 30 minutes by car or train. There are several parking lots near the entrance of Zaanse Schans. You can also take a bus from Amsterdam Central Station or a boat from Amsterdam IJburg. If you prefer cycling, you can rent a bike and follow the scenic route along the river Zaan.
Q: What can I do at Zaanse Schans?
A: There are many things to do at Zaanse Schans, such as:
- Visit the windmills and learn how they were used for sawing wood, grinding spices, making oil, and producing paint.
- Explore the museums and workshops and discover the history and culture of the Zaan region. You can see how cheese, clogs, chocolate, pewter, and clocks are made.
- Stroll around the village and admire the colorful wooden houses and gardens. You can also visit the bakery, the grocery store and the pancake restaurant.
- Enjoy a guided tour on foot, boat, or bicycle and get more insights from a local expert. You can also join a workshop or a demonstration and try your hand at some of the crafts.
Q: When is the best time to visit Zaanse Schans?
A: Zaanse Schans is open all year round, but the best time to visit is between March and October when the weather is pleasant and most of the attractions are open. The opening hours vary depending on the season and the day of the week, so check the website before you go. Zaanse Schans can get busy during peak times, especially on weekends and holidays, so plan your visit accordingly. You can also book your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines.
Q: How much does it cost to visit Zaanse Schans?
A: The entrance to Zaanse Schans is free, but some of the attractions charge a fee. You can buy individual tickets for each attraction or get a Zaanse Schans Card that gives you unlimited access to most of them for one day.
FAQs About the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
What are Keukenhof tulip gardens?
A: Keukenhof tulip gardens are the largest flower gardens in the world, located in Lisse, near Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. They are also known as the Garden of Europe and showcase over 7 million flowers, including over 800 species of tulips every spring during the Tulip Festival.
Q: How can I get to Keukenhof tulip gardens?
A: You can get to Keukenhof tulip gardens by car, train, bus, or bike. It is about 25 miles from Amsterdam and takes around 45 minutes by car or train. There are several parking lots near the entrance of Keukenhof. You can also take a bus from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Amsterdam Central Station, Haarlem, Leiden, or The Hague. If you prefer cycling, you can rent a bike and follow the scenic route along the flower fields.
Q: What can I do at Keukenhof tulip gardens?
A: There are many things to do at Keukenhof tulip gardens, such as:
- Admire the colorful flower displays and arrangements in the outdoor gardens and indoor pavilions.
- Learn about the history and culture of tulips and other flowers at the museums and exhibitions.
- Enjoy the events and activities for all ages, such as musical performances, workshops, demonstrations, and children’s playgrounds.
- Explore the surrounding area and visit the nearby attractions, such as the windmill, the petting zoo, and the bulb farms.
Q: When is the best time to visit Keukenhof tulip gardens?
A: Keukenhof tulip gardens are open only for 8 weeks every year during the spring season. The exact dates will vary but normally from mid-March to mid-May. The best time to visit is between mid-April and early May when most of the tulips are in full bloom. Keukenhof can get crowded during peak times, especially on weekends and holidays, so plan your visit accordingly. You can also book your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines.
Q: How much does it cost to visit Keukenhof tulip gardens?
A: The entrance fee to Keukenhof tulip gardens varies depending on your age and group size. You can buy individual tickets or combination tickets that include public transport or other attractions.
Sites Seen
Tour Guides
Value
The Keukenhof's Tulips and Windmills Small-Group Tour is our Editors Choice for the best Amsterdam Zaanse Schans Windmill Tour
