Trip Planner:   Europe  /  The Netherlands  /  North Holland Province  /  Zaandam  /  Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans, Zaandam

4.4
#1 of 34 in Things to do in Zaandam
Must see · Specialty Museum · Museum
At Zaanse Schans, tour a recreated historical Dutch village filled with wooden houses and iconic windmills. An important stop along the European Route of Industrial Heritage, this open-air museum hosts 900,000 tourists every year. Its 35 wooden homes were brought from surrounding villages to the museum in the 1970s. The well-preserved windmills, which have become a symbol of the Netherlands, date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and each have their own distinct names. Walk through the buildings, stop into the shops and restaurants, take a scenic boat ride, or watch traditional Dutch craft-making during your visit. Put Zaanse Schans on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Zaandam trip site.
Create an itinerary including Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
8,229 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By rkigervaron
    Nice place. Lots to see and learn about in a relatively compact area. Can feel a bit too staged at times but is nonetheless a very interesting place to visit  more »
  • By chathuandishanka
    Nice place to visit very closer to Amsterdam. Only 20 min train ride from Amsterdam. From the station its a 1km walk towards the windmills. So easily accessible. There are altogether 10 windmills...  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Zaandam

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Zaandam

Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm ©
Farm
Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm
4.1
Duration: 2 hours
Molen De Kat ©
Landmark
Molen De Kat
4.6
Duration: 2 hours
Zaans Museum ©
Specialty Museum
Zaans Museum
4.0
Duration: 2 hours
Kooijman Souvenirs & Clogs Wooden Shoe Workshop ©
Historic Site
Kooijman Souvenirs & Clogs Wooden Shoe Workshop
4.5
Duration: 2 hours

Side trips from Zaandam

Zuiderzeemuseum ©
History Museum
Zuiderzeemuseum
Enkhuizen
4.6
Duration: 4 hours
Marina Volendam ©
Marina
Marina Volendam
Volendam
4.4
Duration: 2 hours
Alkmaar cheese market ©
Flea Market
Alkmaar cheese market
Alkmaar
4.0
Duration: 2 hours
Cheese Factory Volendam ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Cheese Factory Volendam
Volendam
3.9
Duration: 2 hours

Hidden gems in Zaandam

Streets of the World Photo Museum ©
Art Museum
Streets of the World Photo Museum
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
De Bonte Hen ©
History Museum
De Bonte Hen
4.4
Duration: 2 hours
Gedempte Gracht ©
Landmark
Gedempte Gracht
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Jagersplas
Beach
Jagersplas
4.5
Duration: 2 hours

Museums in Zaandam

The Tsar Peter House ©
Specialty Museum
The Tsar Peter House
4.3
Duration: 2 hours
Molenmuseum ©
Specialty Museum
Molenmuseum
4.3
Duration: 2 hours
Museum van het Nederlandse Uurwerk ©
History Museum
Museum van het Nederlandse Uurwerk
3.6
Duration: 2 hours
Museumwinkel Albert Heijn ©
Specialty Museum
Museumwinkel Albert Heijn
3.3
Duration: 2 hours

Nearby attractions in Zaandam

Zaanstore Tourist Information ©
Visitor Center
Zaanstore Tourist Information
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
The Black Smith ©
Nightlife
The Black Smith
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Zaan Tours ©
Day Trip
Zaan Tours
4.9
Duration: 4 hours
De Zoeker Molen ©
Architectural Building
De Zoeker Molen
4.7
Duration: 2 hours

Historic Sites in Zaandam

Het Jonge Schaap ©
Historic Site
Het Jonge Schaap
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
Hembrugterrein ©
Historic Site
Hembrugterrein
3.3
Duration: 2 hours

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Zaanse Schans by other users

24 days in Spain, Belgium & Amsterdam BY A USER FROM MEXICO Madrid Aranda de Duero Haro 7 days in Amsterdam BY A USER FROM INDIA Food Tours Anne Frank House The Jordaan 11 days in Amsterdam & Giethoorn BY A USER FROM JORDAN Amsterdam Giethoorn 17 days in The Netherlands BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE Amsterdam Texel Groningen 36 days in Europe BY A USER FROM SOUTH AFRICA Rome Sorrento Florence 5 days in Amsterdam BY A USER FROM GREECE Anne Frank House The Jordaan Begijnhof