Zaanse Schans Windmills

Zaanse Schans Windmill Village

The Zaanse Schans Windmill Village is an open-air museum and conservation area on the east bank of the Zaan River. With its green wooden houses, it displays the traditional architecture of the area and has several functioning windmills and craftsmen’s workshops, which are open to visitors. The Zaanse Schans is also home to the Zaans Museum. A visit to the Zaanse Schans Windmill Village truly is a great day trip from Amsterdam.

Zaanse Schans Tours

Buy your Zaanse Schans tour tickets and join an exclusive group excursion that will take you to this beautiful Dutch countryside, where you’ll see the iconic windmills, taste some cheese at a cheese factory, visit an authentic Dutch bakery and experience much more! This wonderful day trip is a must if you’re visiting the Netherlands. Tours to Zaanse Schans are often combined with a half-day visit to Volendam or a full-day tour that includes Giethoorn.

– Order your tickets with our exclusive Tours-tickets.com discount code ‘THINGSTODO10’ and get 10% extra off –

Zaanse Schans photo impression

Check out the photos below to get a sense of what to expect on your visit. We took these photos on a beautiful summer day from the water.

The Zaanse Schans, a beautifull piece of countryside and the probably the best views of Dutch windmills just outside the rush of the city. There are lots of visitors to the Netherlands who dream of nothing but visiting the quiet countryside, after experiencing all the hustle and bustle of the Amsterdam city life. It does not surprise us these visitors flock the Zaanse Schans area of the Dutch town of Zaandam. As an idealized re-creation of a Dutch village from the late 19th century, Zaanse Schans remains one of the Netherlands’ most popular and most visited tourists attractions. And since it is quite large, it never feels crowded, even in the high (summer) season.

On this page, we tell you what to expect of the Zaanse Schans, the windmills, the open-air museum and even more important: how do you get from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans?

Zaanse Schans opening hours and departure times

There are several ways to discover the Zaanse Schans. Think about complete tours or a single Windmill Boat Cruise or visits to the Zaans Museum. Since the tour is a bit more complex, we start with the tour. The Zaanse Schans tour is an option to take via Tours & Tickets and their departures are only in the Summer season (April 13 – October 29). During these months, they depart daily at 09.45 hr. More information is provided in the chapter “Zaanse Schans Tickets Prices and Discounts”. 

Note: The tour has no departures on April 27 due to Kings Day

The option for the single Windmill Boat Cruise and a single visit to the Zaans Museum can be found in the table below.

Zaanse Schans Ticket Prices and Discounts

You’ve got several options for completing your trip to the Zaanse Schans. Think about complete tours, single tickets for a Windmill boat cruise or to access the Zaans Museum. Tickets can be acquired via the blue buttons below.

The tour takes place in small groups of 26 people (max.) and lasts approximately 5 ¼ h.
Note: Tourists must check in 30 minutes before departure at Damrak 26 , close to Amsterdam Central Station.

– Order your tickets with our exclusive Tours-tickets.com discount code ‘THINGSTODO10’ and get 10% extra off –

Zaanse Schans FAQ

How far is Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam?

Zaanse Schans is very close to Amsterdam. Approximately 20 kilometres, which translates to roughly 30 minutes by car and an hour by bike. Zaanse Schans can also be visited using public transport, by bus or train; the travel time is just under 40 minutes and will cost around €10,- for a return ticket.

How long should I spend at Zaanse Schans?

Most visitors spend around 2 to 3 hours at Zaanse Schans. This gives you enough time to walk around the historic windmills, visit a museum or two, and enjoy the scenic views along the river.

If you’d like to enter multiple windmills, explore the Zaans Museum, or take your time for photos and lunch, plan for 3 to 4 hours. On the other hand, if you’re short on time and mainly want to stroll through the area and take pictures, 1.5 to 2 hours can be enough.

Can Zaanse Schans be visited for free?

Yes, there’s no entrance fee for the area itself, and no entrance ticket is required. Also, some of the craft shops can be visited free of charge. However, visits to the windmills and museums do require an entrance ticket. This makes Zaanse Schans also a very interesting option when on a budget.

Can I visit Zaanse Schans without joining a tour?

Yes, you can visit Zaanse Schans on your own using public transport from Amsterdam. Find the instructions below the FAQ. However, joining a tour is usually more efficient in terms of both time and money, especially if you also want to visit other interesting places in the Netherlands, such as Volendam, Giethoorn, or Keukenhof. However, if you’re not on a schedule, you can perfectly visit Zaanse Schans yourself without a tour.

Are there ATM machines at the Zaanse Schans?

Yes, there are. You can find an ATM on the right side of the Zaanse Schans parking office. You can also pay by card in almost all shops and restaurants at the Zaanse Schans.

Am I allowed to take pictures or film the Zaanse Schans?

Yes, personal use of film and photography is allowed. Photos and films for commercial purposes are prohibited. Photographers and film crews are kindly requested to send an application to [email protected].

Is the Zaanse Schans wheelchair accessible?

Zaanse Schans is partially wheelchair accessible. Due to its 17th- and 18th-century buildings, not all windmills and historic interiors can be entered with a wheelchair. However, the open-air layout, scenic paths and iconic architecture can still be comfortably enjoyed. Accessible bridges are available, and adapted toilets are available at the Zaans Museum and Brasserie de Bezem.

Are dogs allowed at the Zaanse Schans?

Yes, dogs are allowed at the Zaanse Schans, as long as they are on a leash.

Are dogs allowed at the Zaanse Schans?

Yes, dogs are allowed at the Zaanse Schans, as long as they are on a leash.

Address, Contact Information and Route to Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is located in the Dutch town of Zaandam and is not very far away from Amsterdam.

Adress
Schansend 7
1509 AW Zaandam
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +31 (0)75 681 00 00
https://zaansmuseum.nl/en/

Public transport to Zaanse Schans

For those taking part in the group excursion to the Zaanse Schans, the tour starts at Damrak 26 and participants are expected to check in at the Tours & Tickets shop there at least 30 minutes before departure.

From Amsterdam Central Station to Damrak 26 is only about 8 or 10 minutes walk. Damrak 26 is right opposite the Beurs van Berlage (former Stock Exchange Building).

From Amsterdam Central station by Bus

Zaanse Schans can be reached from Amsterdam Centraal (central train station) by bus or train within less than an hour.

Buses are the easiest way to reach Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam. Connexxion Bus (Line 391) connects Amsterdam four times per hour in 40 minutes with Zaanse Schans the final stop. Bus 391 is also referred to as the Industrial Heritage Line and departs from platform E at the back (IJzijde) of Amsterdam Central Station. A single ticket is a couple of euros (€1 for under 11-year olds) – buy from the driver. Other passes and OV-Chipkaart also accepted.

From Amsterdam Central station by Train

Trains from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans are slightly faster but involve a long walk to the destination. From Amsterdam Centraal, use a stoptrein (slow train) towards Alkmaar and get off at Koog-Zaandijk, the fourth stop – around 20 minutes. Zaanse Schans is a fifteen-minute walk through a modern suburb from the station.

From Amsterdam by Car

From Amsterdam, take the A10 trunk road and then follow the A8 to Zaandam and then the A7 to Leeuwarden, exit Zaandijk/Zaanse Schans. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes.

With the button below you can find accurate advice for the real-time travel times based on your current location. This application will help you when you are not sure which bus or tram you can take from your location.

Take a look at one of the following interesting places below, or go back to the daytrips from Amsterdam page.