Zaanse Schans Windmills: A perfect Day Trip from Amsterdam

Things to do at Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a peaceful village on the water but it wasn’t always there. Over time, ancient buildings from the Zaan region have been brought together at Zaanse Schans in order to preserve history and its buildings. Plan to spend half a day in this area.

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Windmills at Zaanse Schans

Windmills are a symbol of Dutch cultural heritage. The stunning windmills at Zaanse Schans are still inhabited and used for many different tasks. Wood sawing, grinding spices, mixing paint and so much more! Built around the windmills are traditional Dutch houses and small farms.

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It is possible to visit the windmills on the inside and climb up different levels. All the windmills have separate admission tickets but that’s well worth the experience! 

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Museums

The open-air museum has many presentations that display how the windmills operate, and how cheese is made. It also has displays that explain the area’s history.

A wooden shoe workshop, cheese-making farm, a bakery, and so many more museums, large and small, are located at Zaanse Schans. 

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Zaans Museum

In the Zaans museum, you will find information about the history of the Zaan region. Additionally, inside is the Verkade Experience, a brand that became famous for its delicious biscuits and chocolates.

The first Albert Heijn (grocery store)

Albert Heijn is the largest and most famous grocery store in the Netherlands. The first original Albert Heijn store was reconstructed here in 1967. The small museum grocery store explains the story of how Albert Heijn began. (location)

There is no entrance fee and it is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 AM – 4 PM.

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How to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam?

Zaanse Schans is located close to Amsterdam and you have a few transport options. If you have or rent a car, a large parking area is available. The best way to visit it depends on your personal preferences but the bus is the easiest way to get there. 

Bus to Zaanse Schans

Take bus 391 (50 minutes) or bus 891 (30 minutes) at Amsterdam Central Station. Both busses depart from platform G – L and stop outside the Zaans Museum. It’s 8 EUR for a return trip.

If you plan to use the bus more that day, consider buying a bus day pass. It’s 11,50 EUR and allows unlimited bus travel in a certain region. In this case, the ticket is named Zaanstreek. (Zaan region)

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Train

The train from Amsterdam Centraal Station takes just 17 minutes and is very convenient. However, it is a 15-minute walk from the train station to the windmills so you might prefer taking the bus.

Zaanse Schans Tickets

Visiting the Zaanse Schans is free the area is always open to access. Tickets need to be purchased when entering a windmill (4 EUR) or the Zaans Museum (10 EUR). 

Zaanse Schans opening hours

Zaanse Schans is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM and is the perfect half-day trip from Amsterdam. Some windmills and museums are closed during low season but you will still be able to walk past the windmills and through the village. 

Hotels at Zaanse Schans

Wake up with a view of windmills by the water. The accommodations in the area are wonderful with the stacked cottage hotel Inntel as the highlight!