Zaanse Schans Windmills


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 Windmill Village

The Zaanse Schans Windmill Village is an open-air museum and conservation area, on the east bank of the Zaan River, which is north of Zaandam in the Netherlands. With its green wooden houses, it displays the traditional architecture of the area and has several functioning windmills and craftsman’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 daytrip from Amsterdam.

Zaanse Schans Tour

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.

Zaanse Schans filmed by Drone Addicts

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

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.

Windmill tour (Tours-Tickets): Summer Season (April 13 – October 29)  Departs daily at 08.45 hr
Windmill tour (Tours-Tickets): Winter Season (October 30 – April 12)  This tour has no departures during the winter
Windmill Boat Cruise (Tiqets):  09:30 – 16:30
Zaans Museum (Tiqets):  09:00 – 17:00

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 blue buttons below.

The tour takes place in small groups of 26 persons (max.) and duration is approximately 5 ¼ h.
Note: Tourists have to check in 30 minutes before departure at Damrak 26 close to the Amsterdam Central Station area.

Zaanse Schans Tickets

What’s included in the tour-tickets?

  • Live Guide in English and Spanish
  • Admission to a beautiful working windmill
  • Admission to the Cheese Factory Volendam incl. Cheese tasting
  • Admission to the Volendam Museum
  • Admission to the Old Dutch Bakery
  • Including free Amsterdam Canal Cruise 1h.
  • Check-in Canal Cruise: 30. min. before departure at Prins Hendrikkade 25
  • Canal cruise daily frequent departures from 9.30 – 21.00 h.
  • The canal cruise is a separate ticket
  • The canal cruise ticket can be used anytime you like, without a reservation

The Windmill Boat Cruise has a duration of 45 minutes and brings you to the highlights of the Zaanse Schans. An audio guide is included.

Zaans Museum tickets offer you a fast track ticket.

Adults  59.00
Children (4-13 years) Child price
Infants (0-3 years) Free of charge

Zaanse Schans FAQ

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

It is actually forbidden to make videos or take photos at the Zaanse Schans for commercial purposes. Photographers and film crews are kindly requested to send an application to [email protected].

Is the Zaanse Schans wheel-chair accessible?

This is unfortunately not possible because the Zaanse Schans is set in the 17th and 18th centuries. Because it is set in another era, the accessibility is limited to wheelchair users. There are, however, accessible bridges and disabled toilets. These can be found in brasserie de Bezem and the Zaans Museum.

Special parking spaces are also available and you can book a wheelchair at the Zaans Museum. The Jonge Schaap is the only wheelchair friendly windmill.

Are dogs allowed at the Zaanse Schans?

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

Are there ATM machines at the Zaanse Schans?

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

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.

ov button Ice bar

Zaanse Schans Reviews

We are always interested in finding out what our visitors' experiences are. Please feel free to leave your Zaanse Schans reviews below and help fellow travellers! What did you think of the Zaanse Schans? Would you recommend it to your friends? Was it exactly as you envisioned it? Let us know what you think and please be patient as we check all reviews by hand. Yours will soon be posted!


Reviews

No reviews found

Leave your rating

Rating *

Take a look at one of the following museums below or go back to the general Amsterdam museums page.

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum

Discover Rembrandt’s nightwatch and many more famous Dutch artists

Amsterdam Dungeon

Amsterdam Dungeon

Check out live shows on the history of Amsterdam

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds

Take a selfie with the Dutch Royal family!