Zaanse Schans Windmills: Day Trips and Tours from Amsterdam

Charming Zaanse Schans is a unique and underrated part of the Netherlands, with historic windmills that tower above the landscape.

Its traditional Dutch architecture provides an authentic, untouched look into how life in this region centuries ago. Over 600 windmills were constructed in the 17th century, when the area was a hub of industrial production.

Today, there are still ten authentic windmills — some of which have been transformed into museums and workshops, where visitors can watch artisans craft traditional Dutch products, like iconic clogs — wooden shoes — and a handful of world-famous cheeses.

These, as well as the welcoming locals and gorgeous scenery, are just a few of the reasons to look into booking a Zaanse Schans windmills day trip from Amsterdam.

Here's all you need to know about Zaanse Schans windmills, one of the most exciting day trips from Amsterdam.

How to get to the Zaanse Schans windmills from Amsterdam?

Zaanse Schans is located within the city of Zaandam in North Holland. It sits on the River Zaan about 20 kilometers north of Amsterdam and about 25 kilometers to the west coast of the Netherlands.

It is surrounded by other historic towns such as Edam, Marken and Volendam. There are several ways to reach the popular tourist town, such as:

Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans Windmills by car

The Zaanse Schans windmills are a short trip from Amsterdam by car. Depending on traffic and other conditions, the drive can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Starting from the center of Amsterdam, head north on the A10 motorway (ringweg) and follow the signs for Zaandam.

Once you arrive in Zaandam, change to the A7 and follow the signs for Zaanse Schans. Along the way, you'll pass through picturesque Dutch countryside, with plenty of opportunities to stop off and explore the area in towns such as Monnickendam.

Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans Windmills by public transport

Public transportation is a convenient and economical way to get to the Zaanse Schans windmills from Amsterdam.

The best way to travel is by taking a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Koog-Zaandijk, the nearest station to the windmills.

The journey will take approximately 25 minutes with direct trains departing roughly every 10 minutes from Amsterdam, depending on the day.

If you want to avoid walking, you can get off the train at Zaandam station and take the 391 bus right to the windmills.

Guided tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills from Amsterdam

It is also possible to get to Zaanse Schans Windmills from Amsterdam through a guided tour. This a convenient and popular way to travel whilst also having a knowledgeable guide at your disposal.

The tours usually last anywhere between 5 and 9 hours with variations to suit all kinds of time and money constraints. Most of the tours depart from and return to central Amsterdam and travel by private, air-conditioned coach.

What is the typical itinerary?

Although there is plenty of variety between tours to the Zaanse Schans windmills from Amsterdam, most itineraries follow a similar structure.

The journey usually starts with the coach leaving Amsterdam and taking the short drive directly to Zaanse Schans. On arrival, you will have time to explore the area, take photos of the windmills, the old buildings and visit the museums.

Most tours allow time for lunch at a local restaurant serving up traditional fare, likely featuring fish from the nearby fishing villages.

Depending on your selected tour, there might be stops along the way for handmade cheese tasting at Edam, getting a pair of traditional Dutch clogs, or even a canal ride at Volendam.

No matter which tour you choose, you'll be accompanied by a friendly, knowledgeable guide who can answer all your questions and provide insider tips on the area.

All of the tours give you a glimpse into the old parts of Dutch history, with many well-preserved buildings now operating as visitable museums.

Finally, after a full day of sightseeing, the coach will return to central Amsterdam, conveniently dropping you off at your hotel.

In total, day tours last around 3-4 hours for a simple tour to Zaanse Schans and 5-9 hours for tours that also visit nearby towns like Edam, Volendam and Marken.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the Zaanse Schans windmills?

There are a variety of day trip tours running from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans windmills that offer unique experiences and suit different kinds of travelers and budgets.

Whether you're a time-pressed solo traveler or a family looking for a leisurely trip through the Dutch countryside, there's something for everyone.

Guided small group tours to Zaanse Schans Windmills from Amsterdam

The most popular and affordable option is a small group boat tour to Zaanse Schans. These tours from Amsterdam usually take between 3-7 hours and are led by an experienced guide.

These tours will show you the highlights of the old Dutch countryside and will have various pitstops, such as cheese tasting, boat rides and visiting an old clog factory.

On these tours, you'll be accompanied by fellow travelers, allowing you to make new friends and share your experience with each other.

Private tour to Zaanse Schans windmills from Amsterdam

A private tour is more suited to groups, couples or families that want an intimate, tailored experience. Since you have some control over the itinerary, you can explore at your own pace.

After being picked up from your hotel, you'll be driven from Amsterdam in a private vehicle, through the picturesque Dutch countryside until you reach the windmills.

Throughout the day, you'll have a private guide who will be able to tailor the itinerary to make sure you visit the attractions most interesting to you in the Zaanse Schans area.

Day tour to Zaanse Schans windmills plus Edam, Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam

Given the proximity of Zaanse Schans to Amsterdam, many day trips will also have the time to show you other worthwhile locations in the area.

The most common additions to a day trip to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam are the nearby towns of Edam, Volendam and Marken.

Edam is famous for cheese production, so a stop here allows you to visit an old, yet still functioning, cheese factory.

Volendam, a quaint fishing village, sits right on the water and is famous for its fresh seafood and stunning canals (on which you can take a boat ride).

Finally, coastal Marken is home to an old clog factory as well as colorful houses built on stakes to raise them above the water.

How much does a day trip to Zaanse Schans windmills from Amsterdam cost?

The cost of a day trip to Zaanse Schans Windmills from Amsterdam starts at €30 but varies depending on the style of travel and tour length.

Day tours that include stops to nearby towns like Edam, Volendam and Marken cost between €30 and €130 per person, depending on the attractions visited.

Group tours range from €30 for a half-day tour, up to €90 for a full day. Private tours are a bit more expensive, ranging from €130-€200 per person.

Private tour costs vary depending on the number of people in your group, and some have a minimum number required for booking. Generally, per-person prices are cheaper when your group is larger.

Many tours also have optional add-ons, such as canal rides, that can change the final price — so double-check the exact cost before you book.

What will you see and do?

Each excursion offers something unique, however, there are a few things that you can definitely expect to see and do on your Zaanse Schans windmills tour from Amsterdam.

From cheese factories to fishing villages and the iconic windmills, all of which offer fascinating insights into the local culture and history. Some of the most common highlights and attractions are listed in further detail below:

Zaanse Schans Windmills

Arguably one of the most important stops on a day trip to Zaanse Schans Windmills from Amsterdam is the windmills themselves. Although hundreds were built back in the 1600s, only 10 remain today.

You'll be able to visit some of the windmills, such as the De Kat (The Cat), and learn about its history of grinding pigment for paint — an operation that still takes place to this day.

Cheese Factory in Edam

Edam is a charming small town known for its namesake cheese production and serves as a popular addition to Zaanse Schans tours. Here, you can find one of the world's oldest cheese factories, which is still operating today.

When you visit the factory, you can learn how they process and package the world-famous cheeses and, of course, taste some of them yourself right at the source.

Volendam Fishing Village

Located about 25 minutes east of the windmills, Volendam is a quaint fishing village right on the water. After exploring the colorful streets, you can try some authentic Dutch seafood and take pictures with traditional Dutch outfits.

A popular Volendam activity is the afternoon canal ride — a wonderful opportunity to admire the traditional wooden houses from the water.

Marken Clog Factory

Another town often included in Zaanse Schans Windmills day trips from Amsterdam, Marken is a colorful village.

What makes this location so special is the way it was constructed — the traditional houses were built on stakes in order to keep them above the water. Here, you can find a traditional clog factory, which still makes wooden shoes by hand.

Other notable attractions include the Paard van Marken lighthouse, the Flood Memorial and the Marken Museum.

Keukenhof Gardens

A beautiful and colorful getaway, the Keukenhof Gardens is home to a fantastic display of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other wildflowers in bloom.

Its size, at 32 hectares (79 acres) of parkland, makes it officially one of the world's largest flower collections. Thanks to the natural surroundings, it's considered a great place to take a walk, admire the vibrant colors and enjoy a picnic.

Although there is always something to see, if you want the full experience, be sure to visit between March to May when the flowers are in full bloom.

When is the best time to visit Zaanse Schans windmills?

Spring is the most popular time to visit, as the area is known for bright flower blooms. If you visit between March and May, the tulip fields and Keukenhof botanical gardens are in full bloom and the air is filled with colors.

However, it's worth noting that this also means crowds will be larger during these months. If you’d like to avoid the hustle and bustle, plan your trip for late summer or early fall when the flowers have died down.

It's worth keeping in mind that accommodation and other costs are generally less expensive in less popular times, so there's never a bad time to visit.

Travel tips

• Be sure to book in advance and online, as day trips to the Zaanse Schans windmills and the Dutch countryside are very popular and can sell out, particularly during spring.
• Some of the attractions in Zaanse Schans have an extra admission fee, so be sure to look up any of the places you're interested in so you can stay within your budget.
• Handmade clogs are a very popular souvenir from the area, however, they are quite heavy, so be sure to leave room in your luggage to make sure you can get them home.
• Last but not least, make the most of your lunch stop to sample some traditional Dutch food, served up by locals.