Why go

The Zaanse Schans is the easiest way to see Dutch windmills from Amsterdam. Along the banks of the river Zaan, about 20 minutes north of the city, a row of historic windmills turns in the wind beside green wooden houses, drawbridges and gardens. Many of the buildings were moved here from elsewhere in the Zaan region in the 1960s and 1970s, to preserve them, and the mills still grind spices, saw wood and press oil and paint pigments.

The Zaan region was once one of the first industrial areas in the world, with hundreds of windmills powering its trades, and the Zaanse Schans keeps that story alive. Walking around the village is free, so you can enjoy the views without buying anything, but the windmills, museums and workshops are well worth going inside.

It is a popular stop, and tour buses arrive from mid-morning, so it helps to come early or late in the day. In winter the village is quieter, and the windmills look especially striking in low sunlight or mist over the river.

The village is also a lived-in neighbourhood: people still live in some of the green houses, so stay on the paths and respect private gardens. Many visitors combine the trip with lunch at a pancake restaurant on the site or a stop at the Albert Heijn museum shop, a reconstruction of the first store of the Dutch supermarket chain.

What to see

  • The windmills. Working mills, including spice, sawing and paint mills, some open to visitors.
  • Zaans Museum. The story of the region and its industries, with the Verkade chocolate pavilion.
  • World of Windmills. A museum explaining how windmills work and how they shaped the Netherlands.
  • Craft workshops. A clog workshop, a cheese farm, a bakery museum and a pewter foundry.
  • The riverbank. The classic view of the mills from across the Zaan, and a small ferry.

Plan your visit

The Zaanse Schans is open all year, but each windmill, museum and workshop sets its own hours, which vary by season and day. The official website shows which are open today, so check before you set off.

The Ticket Zaanse Schans gives one visit to each participating museum, windmill and heritage site. It costs €29.50 for adults and €20 for ages 4 to 17, with under 4s free, and is sold online for a fixed date or at the Zaans Museum. Exchange your e-ticket for the printed Zaanse Schans Card at the Zaans Museum, World of Windmills or Zaanse Tijd before your first visit. You can change or cancel it free up to 24 hours before. Parking costs €15, and toilets €1.

The train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans takes about 17 minutes, and the walk from the station across the river takes about 15 minutes. Allow three to five hours, including travel.

Nearby

Many organised tours combine the Zaanse Schans with the fishing towns of Volendam and Marken and the cheese town of Edam on the IJsselmeer. Haarlem is a short train ride away.