Zaanse Schans is one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Amsterdam. If you’re looking to explore the Dutch countryside, a visit to this charming windmill village is the perfect escape from the city.
The Zaanse Schans neighborhood is unique in that it’s both an open-air museum and an actual town where people still reside. An authentic recreation of a traditional Dutch village, the town gives visitors a glimpse into the country’s past. Windmills, farm animals, museums and fairytale houses make history come alive at Zaanse Schans!
Here’s a practical guide on how to plan a day trip to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam!
How To Get To Zaanse Schans
Only about 15 km from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is easy to reach by several different modes of transportation. The four main options include taking a bus, train, car or guided tour.
Amsterdam To Zaanse Schans By Bus
I’d recommend taking the bus to Zaanse Schans on a day trip from Amsterdam. In my opinion, the bus is the best option because it’s clean, easy to navigate and cost effective. Moreover, the Zaanse Schans bus stop is conveniently located near the Zaans Museum.
From Amsterdam Centraal Station, head upstairs to the bus platform, where you’ll take the Connexxion Bus 391(Industrial Heritage Line) to Zaandam, Zaanse Schans. At the time of my visit, tickets were 11.50 euros and valid for unlimited travel in the Zaanstreek region for the entire day. You can purchase tickets online on the Connexxion website or from the ticket machines at Amsterdam Centraal. Buses depart every 15 minutes, giving travelers a lot of flexibility when planning their day, and the trip takes about 40 minutes.
During the summer months, the Connexxion 891 Bus (Express Line) offers a slightly faster route between Amsterdam Centraal and Zaanse Schans, with the journey taking about 20 minutes.
Amsterdam To Zaanse Schans By Train
Another easy way to get to Zaanse Schans using public transportation is to take a local train. The journey from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans takes about 17 minutes and costs about 5 euros each way. Upon arrival, the walk from the train station to the Zaanse Schans village is about 15 minutes.
Amsterdam To Zaanse Schans By Car
If you already have a car, driving to Zaanse Schans makes the most sense. The drive is only about 16 minutes long and parking at Zaanse Schans costs around 12 euros per day for cars.
Amsterdam To Zaanse Schans Day Tour
Are you looking for an experience where you don’t have to plan anything and you can simply go along for the ride? If so, a guided tour is the way to go!
Viator offers both a full Day Tour of Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken and a Geithoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip From Amsterdam. Both tours seem to be great options depending on your budget and interests.
Things To Do At Zaanse Schans
The Windmills
It probably goes without saying, but the number one reason to go to Zaanse Schans is to see the windmills! During the 18th and 19th centuries, hundreds of windmills dotted the banks of the Zaan river, making it one of the most important industrial regions in Europe at the time. From saw mills to spice mills to paint mills to oil mills and more, these machines helped produce goods in countless industries.
Today, a few of these authentic windmills and wooden houses have been relocated to Zaanse Schans and set up as an open-air museum. The windmills have been so well preserved that a few are still in working condition and are open to the public. For a small fee, visitors can tour a windmill for an up close look at how it works and even go up to the second floor for panoramic views of the village.
Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm
Cheese lovers will be on cloud nine at the Catharina Hoeve, a traditional cheese farm from the 17th century. It’s free to enter and features a small self-guided museum, cheese-making demonstrations, free samples of a variety of cheeses and a small shop. Farm animals and staff dressed in authentic Dutch clothing add to the nostalgic atmosphere.
Wooden Shoe Workshop
Another fun stop in Zaanse Schans is the Wooden Shoe Workshop. Pop by for a photo op with the colorful wooden shoes outside the building, then head inside to take a brief walk through the history of this Dutch icon. A mini museum and live demonstration help educate visitors about the clog-making process and why they become so popular in the Netherlands.
Albert Heijn Museum Shop
Albert Heijn is a large supermarket chain in the Netherlands, but the company began as a quaint general store over a century ago. A reconstruction of the original store, the Albert Heijn Museum Shop in Zaanse Schans illustrates how a grocery store would have looked in the 1800s. Admission is free so you’ve got nothing to lose by stopping in for a quick peek.
Ride A Bike
If you want to ride a bike in the Netherlands but are overwhelmed by thought of cycling through bustling Amsterdam, I’d suggest trying it out in Zaanse Schans instead. Rent a bike from a local shop and explore on your own or take a guided tour.
For those arriving in Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam by train, bike rentals are available from Zaanse Schans Bike Rent Station just outside the Zaanse Schans / Zaandijk train station. Grab a cycling map and spend the day exploring the picturesque countryside.
A small-group tour is also a great way to go if you’d rather have a knowledgable guide show you around the area. Get Your Guide’s Countryside Bike Tour and Zaanse Schans Windmills is a solid choice that starts at Amsterdam Central Station. Hereyou’ll meet your guide, hop on a train to Zaanse Schans and spend a half-day cycling and sightseeing before returning to Amsterdam by train.
Shop For Souvenirs
Zaanse Schans is filled with cute shops, selling everything from cheese and chocolate to clogs and other small crafts. It’s a great place to pick up some of your favorite Dutch souvenirs as a memento of your visit to Holland!
Zaans Museum
The Zaans Museum is a history museum illustrating the region’s industrial heritage and culture. For those looking to learn about the background of the windmills, Holland’s golden age and the area’s role as a significant trading hub at one time, you’ll definitely want to stop in.
While you’re there, also be sure to check out the Verkade Experience. This exhibit is set up like a chocolate and biscuit factory from the early 1900s and demonstrates the cookie and chocolate making process.
where to eat At Zaanse Schans
The restaurant selection in the village isn’t the best, so I’d recommend bringing your own food if you can. However, if that isn’t an option there are a few places to grab a meal or quick snack on a day trip to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam.
De Tweekoppige Phoenix: A cute bar and cafe comfortably situated near the Wooden Shoe Workshop.
Restaurant De Kraai: A cozy restaurant mainly serving traditional Dutch pancakes, along with a few sandwiches and small snacks.
De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis: A more upscale option, known for its quality food and scenic location with waterfront views.
Blik op de Zaan: Small store and chocolate shop offering everything from chocolate bars to ice cream to hot chocolate.
Zaanse Schans Need To Know
- Zaanse Schans is technically free to enter, but visitors have to pay to enter the windmills, some of the museums, etc.
- For the best Zaanse Schans day trip, visit in the morning to avoid the crowds. I’d highly recommend arriving as early as you can to see the windmills, explore the area and take photos without tons of people in the background. By the time the masses arrive around mid to late morning, you’ll have seen most of the sights and can enjoy a leisurely stroll popping into shops and museums.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella or raincoat in case of an unexpected shower.
- Restrooms are available, but like most in Europe, you have to pay to use them.
If want more ideas for the best things to do in the Netherlands, check out my post on 16 Awesome Things To Do In Amsterdam!
Have you visited Zaanse Schans before? What was your favorite thing to do in this adorable town?
