5 (3 Reviews)
1509 BX Zaandam, Netherlands
From: €200.00
5
(3 reviews)
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Duration

2 hours

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

4 people

Languages

Arabic, English

About this tour

Zaanse Schans is a beautiful and historic village located just outside Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Known for its iconic windmills, traditional wooden houses, and artisanal workshops, Zaanse Schans offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience traditional Dutch life.

Key Highlights:

  • Historic Windmills 🌬️: Zaanse Schans is home to several working windmills that date back to the 17th century. These windmills were used for various industrial purposes such as sawmills, oil production, and spice grinding. Visitors can tour the windmills and see them in action, making it a perfect spot for history enthusiasts.

  • Traditional Dutch Houses 🏠: The village showcases beautifully preserved wooden houses, many of which were originally built along the river banks in the 17th and 18th centuries. The architecture offers a glimpse into the past, preserving the rustic charm of the old Dutch countryside.

  • Wooden Clogs 👢: Zaanse Schans is famous for its wooden clogs (known as “klompen”), a traditional Dutch footwear. You can visit local workshops to see how these clogs are made, and even try a pair on for yourself!

  • Dutch Cheese 🧀: The village is also renowned for its cheese-making tradition. You can visit cheese farms where you’ll see how famous Dutch cheeses like Edam and Gouda are crafted, and enjoy tasting sessions of freshly made cheeses.

  • Museums & Attractions 🖼️: Zaanse Schans is home to several museums that showcase Dutch industrial heritage, including the Zaans Museum, which offers insights into the history of the region, and the Windmill Museum, which dives deep into the history of windmill technology.

Ideal For:

  • History buffs 🏛️

  • Families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

  • Photography enthusiasts 📸

  • Travelers seeking authentic Dutch experiences 🇳🇱

Experience:

Zaanse Schans provides a peaceful and educational experience with its picturesque views, historical significance, and interactive displays. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the Netherlands’ rich cultural heritage.

Highlights

  • 🌬️ Historic Windmills – Visit beautifully preserved windmills, some still working today!
  • 🧀 Cheese Tasting – Sample delicious traditional Dutch cheeses at local farms.
  • 👡 Clog Making Demonstration – Watch how traditional wooden shoes (clogs) are crafted.
  • 🎨 Traditional Crafts – Explore workshops making candles, pewter, and more handmade goods.
  • 🏡 Open-Air Museum Vibe – Wander through historic houses and get a glimpse of 18th-19th century life.
  • 📸 Perfect Photo Spots – Picture-postcard scenery everywhere you look – don't forget your camera!
  • 🛍️ Unique Souvenirs – Shop for authentic Dutch gifts like clogs, cheeses, and handcrafted items.
  • ☕ Local Treats – Enjoy Dutch pancakes, stroopwafels, and coffee at cozy cafés.
  • 🚲 Bike Rentals – Tour the picturesque area on a classic Dutch bike!
  • 🚤 Boat Tours – See the Zaanse Schans from the water for a different perspective.

Included/Excluded

  • Specialized bilingual guide
  • Private Transport
  • Meals & Shopping Expenses
  • Personal Purchases
  • Boat Rental
  • other activities

Itinerary

📍 Meet at Zaanse Schans entrance
👋 Brief welcome & overview of the area

🌬️ Step inside a historic working windmill (like a sawmill or spice mill)
📷 Take scenic photos by the windmills along the river

👡 Watch a traditional wooden clog-making demonstration
🎨 See the art and history behind Dutch footwear

🧀 Visit a local cheese farm and see how Dutch cheese is made
🥛 Enjoy free tastings of Gouda and other varieties

🏘️ Explore charming village houses and small shops
🛍️ Grab souvenirs like clogs, cheese, and local crafts
🍪 Optional stroopwafel snack or coffee at a café

📸 Final group photo with windmills in the background
👋 Say goodbye or continue exploring on your own

Durations

3 – 5 hours
5 – 7 hours
Fullday (+7hours)
Multi day

Language

Arabic
English

Frequently asked questions

Yes! This tour is designed to cover the key highlights including a windmill visit, clog workshop, cheese tasting, and free time for shopping and photos.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Bring a jacket (it can be windy), a camera 📸, and some cash or card for souvenirs or snacks.

The tour runs in most weather conditions. Many attractions are indoors, so bring an umbrella or raincoat just in case.

No, transportation to and from Zaanse Schans is not included. It’s easily reachable by car, train, or bus from Amsterdam.

Tour's Location

1509 BX Zaandam, Netherlands

Reviews

5/5
Excellent
(3 Reviews)
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3
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0
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0
Poor
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3 reviews on this Tour - Showing 1 to 3
🌿Zaanse Schans – Step Back in Time
Customer
06/13/2022

Fantastic Trip

I am a little late in posting a review. We returned from this trip in early March, right when everything started to close down due to Covid-19. I can tell you that the memories of this trip have kept me going while sheltering in place. If you are thinking this might be the trip for you, please know that it is very fast paced with moving from place to place almost every night was quite challenging. The cycling itself was challenging based on ones fitness level. My husband completed every kilometer, while I did about three-quarters of the cycling. A lot of it depends on the heat, but for a female in my early 50s, I found it very doable. We had the most fabulous guide and crew. I cannot say enough of about our guide Son - he was absolutely amazing - taking care of all the details while we enjoyed ourselves. There are plenty of water/snack stops with fresh fruit and amazing snacks (ginger/nuts/cookies). They take very good care of you.
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🌿Zaanse Schans – Step Back in Time
Customer
06/13/2022

Excellent, probably the best yet.

This was an amazing trip. Totally fell in love with Vietnam, We did so much in such in two weeks. The cycling, somehow. only felt like a small part of the experience as there were so many other things that we did. Each day was full on, exceptionally well organised, great food, etc Been on a few cycle trips, and I think this was the best one so far.
🌿Zaanse Schans – Step Back in Time
Customer
06/13/2022

Another exciting adventure with Exodus

Another exciting adventure with this tour company.Our trip was at the end of April/beginning of May and it was very hot !!!! I'm told June/July is even hotter. Phew !!!!Despite this I loved every minute of it.It was a very busy trip but extremely well organised. I very much liked the additional drink stops as it was so very hot. Home made chilled lime was just the thing. I also very much liked Lam pre-booking the meals and us all going together. He found some wonderful places and we had delicious fresh food. There just isn't time to find somewhere yourself. This really worked well.We were lucky to be with a super group of people. Everyone happy and smiling and enjoying every moment..................well................except a few of the group who did get a bit sore. Please do get yourself some chamois butter and padded pants. It works a treat.It worked well having all the cycling in the beginning. The train was much better than I had expected and I slept like a log !!! Whale Island and Halong Bay were real treats and I would have loved more time there. But, overall, the trip was perfect for timing as it kept us within the 15 day Visa limit and we saw and did so much.Despite being informed in writing by the tour operator that our big holdalls/suitcase stays with us all the time......this was not the case. You do need to have a rucksack or flat pack bag big enough for the one and two night stays (Whale Island and Halong Bay). In fact......it works very well to just take small luggage. Much easier to do once you get your head around it.I found the cycling easy compared with other trips I've done but I do feel it is right to be called a Level 3. Everyone cycles slightly differently and there is always a bit of a mix of abilities........which makes for a good group cycle I think.
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From: €200.00
5 (3 Reviews)
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Osamah Alhamed

Member Since 2025

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