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

Zaanse Schans, Zaandam

4.5
#1 of 36 in Things to do in Zaandam
Must see · Specialty Museum · Museum
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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.
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Zaanse Schans reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
8,446 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • We visited as part of a Cameleon tour. A lovely living museum with 6 gorgeous windmills. Pay the extra €5 to go into a windmill if you can squeeze the budget, its worth it to climb up to the 1st... 
    We visited as part of a Cameleon tour. A lovely living museum with 6 gorgeous windmills. Pay the extra €5 to go into a windmill if you can squeeze the budget, its worth it to climb up to the 1st...  more »
  • Loved this day out, the entire area is run by volunteers and their passion for this era of Dutch history shows. Nice to also be out of the city for some wide open spaces and fresh air. Lots to do the....  more
    Loved this day out, the entire area is run by volunteers and their passion for this era of Dutch history shows. Nice to also be out of the city for some wide open spaces and fresh air. Lots to do the....  more »
Google
  • Very nice place. Living in Netherlands for years, i never knew about it. It's more geared towards tourists but a good find. Nice walk along the river and windmills. These are very old mills and brought here in one place long time ago. You have to pay full day parking (€8) even if you want to park for an hour or so. Lot's of tourists buses so parking could be busy. Lot's of tourists on site so might go later in afternoon. Be prepared for long payment queues for parking payment machines. There are cash and card machines. Nice souvenir shops there and staff is very friendly. They pack all souvenir nicely
  • Love no entry fee so it can definitely be done on a budget. It is relatively ♿ accessible many older folk enjoyed it. I have found some other tourists destinations are not as accommodating. Wish they had another proper restaurant rather than mostly snacks. I recommend arriving early so enjoy and get photo ops. It is beautiful. Bringing a picnic would also be encouraged.

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