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ZaandamBus & minivan tours

Our most recommended Zaandam Bus & minivan tours

Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken Day Trip

1. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken Day Trip

Enjoy the picturesque Dutch countryside on a day trip by comfortable bus. Encounter the famous windmills, and learn about Dutch traditional crafts.Take advantage of free WiFi on board the bus as you travel. Discover the unique village of Zaanse Schans. Stroll around at your leisure and admire the well-preserved historic windmills and houses. Explore the fishing village of Volendam, visit a cheese shop still making cheese using a traditional Dutch method, and join a demonstration about Volendam cheese. Enjoy lunch at a traditional fish restaurant at your own expense, before exploring more of Volendam. Select the all-inclusive tour option for more activities including a boat ride to Marken, a visit to an operating windmill, and a clog-making demonstration.

Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans 3-Hour Small Group Tour

2. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans 3-Hour Small Group Tour

Starting from Amsterdam, enjoy a comfortable drive to Zaanse Schans. There, hear your guide tell you about the sights and history of this unique, small village and region. Visit a wooden shoe workshop to see how the traditional wooden clogs are made. Also, enjoy a trip to a local cheese farm to learn how the Dutch Gouda cheeses are made. There, taste all kinds of delicious cheeses. After hearing about the magnificent windmills from your guide, enter one to see how these wind-powered industries operate. Get out on the balcony to experience the power of the wind yourself and to enjoy the lovely view of the countryside. After your guided tour at Zaanse Schans, head back to Amsterdam.

Zaanstreek Bus Day Ticket to Zaanse Schans & Zaanstreek

3. Zaanstreek Bus Day Ticket to Zaanse Schans & Zaanstreek

Go to the bus platform of Amsterdam Central Station and get on the red/grey public transport bus 391. Show your ticket to the bus driver, then take a seat and make yourself comfortable. Enjoy the beautiful city of Amsterdam before you go under the IJ-tunnel. Once you leave Amsterdam, you'll be surrounded by stunning landscapes as you soon enter the city of Zaandam. Either choose to depart there, or remain on the bus and go directly to de Zaanse Schans, one of the highlights of the Dutch history. De Zaanse Schans is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh cookies, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. Be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry, and the various windmills. Bus 391 runs every 15 minutes in both directions. The express line 891 runs every 30 minutes and will take you directly from Amsterdam Central Station to the Zaanse Schans (within 20 minutes). This express service runs during the summer period and some school holidays. For children 4-11 years you can buy a Kids Day ticket for only 1 euro from the busdriver. Under the age of 4, children travel for free.

From Amsterdam: Windmills of Zaanse Schans Tour in Spanish

4. From Amsterdam: Windmills of Zaanse Schans Tour in Spanish

There is no better way to enjoy an afternoon in the Netherlands than checking out the Zaanse Schans windmills, the economic engine of the country between the 16th and 18th centuries when the Dutch took advantage of wind power to grind the spices they brought from the colonies and make oils, mustards, and more. Learn about the history of this scenic and economically-significant spot as you tour the mills with your friendly, knowledgeable guide. First, take a walking tour of a mill to learn how it was operated and the history of industry in the Netherlands. Then visit a clog workshop to get acquainted with the manufacturing of traditional Dutch footwear. Stop in at a cheese factory to try a variety of traditional Dutch cheeses and learn about the cheese-making process. Enjoy free time to explore the scenic area, say hi to the farm animals, and snap some photos before returning to Amsterdam.

Villages & Windmills Zaanse Schans Small Group Tour

5. Villages & Windmills Zaanse Schans Small Group Tour

The first stop on your tour from Amsterdam is Zaanse Schans, an old industrial village where windmills were used for a variety of purposes. The few windmills that have survived have been restored to their original function. You’ll see a water mill, an oil mill, a paint mill, and a spice mill. Near Zaanse Schans the area is famous for its traditional green timbered houses and warehouses. See the famous fishing village of Volendam, visit the famous harbor, take a stroll on the dike, and have a photo taken in traditional Volendammer costume. Visit a cheese factory, where you’ll see a demonstration about Dutch cheese and learn everything there is to know about making it. You can taste and smell the different cheeses produced at the factory. Get to know the famous fish dishes of the village by having lunch at one of the restaurants by the harbor (not included in the tour price). Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a walk through Broek, one of the most charming villages of the Waterland area. This former island is one of the few villages in the Netherlands where traditions are well preserved. Visit the wooden shoe factory and see how craftsmen quickly transform blocks of wood into wooden shoes, known as klompen. Witness this craft that only 28 people in Holland have mastered.

From Amsterdam: Windmills & Volendam Private Tour

6. From Amsterdam: Windmills & Volendam Private Tour

Experience traditional Dutch culture on this 6-hour private journey from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, a clog and cheese factory, and Volendam. After pickup from your accommodation in Amsterdam, your driver and guide will take you to the first destination of the day: Zaanse Schans, a region of the Netherlands full of traditional structures. Tour the wooden dwellings, windmills, and quaint little shops. Above all, you can admire the traditional mills scattered throughout the town, each of which has its own purpose: there's a paint mill, oil mill, saw mill, spice mill, and more.  The next stops will be the clog factory and cheese farm, two essential elements of any visit to the Netherlands. Learn how the cheese is made and taste some delectable tidbits. Then, you’ll be treated to a demonstration on making wooden clogs.  Next, visit Volendam, a fishing village known for its fresh eel and herring. Taste some fresh fish from a traditional cart and admire the old port, full of Dutch ships. Try on a traditional Dutch outfit and have your picture taken as you fit in with the Volendamers. In the center of the town, walk along the dyke (boulevard) and explore the various restaurants and shops. This will be a great opportunity to enjoy a traditional meal after taking in the best of the Netherlands.

Tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills and Volendam from Amsterdam

7. Tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills and Volendam from Amsterdam

Start your tour with a convenient, pick-up service from your accommodation. Here is where your driver will be to pick you up and after a short meet and greet you will hop in your private car and set off on your adventure.  Firstly you will visit the Zaanse Schans, a residential area in which the 18th and 19th-centuries are brought to life. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh bread, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. You should be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry and, the various windmills. The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and, workshops. Enjoy a cycling or sailing trip, browse the shops or treat yourself at the pancake restaurant. A day out at the Zaanse Schans in North Holland is fun and educational. After the windmills, you will visit Volendam, a small fishing village with 22000 citizens. Walk along the beautiful harbor and marvel at the typical Volendam shops and enjoy lunch at one of the best seafood restaurants in Holland. After a day full of adventure and excitement you driver will return you back to your accommodation for an evening of well-deserved rest. 

Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Giethoorn Private Trip

8. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Giethoorn Private Trip

Sightsee around Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn on a private day trip from Amsterdam. See Dutch windmills and enjoy the scenery of the Dutch countryside. Choose to visit a clogs factory or a cheese farm to taste local cheese. Start your tour with pickup from your accommodation. After being picked up from Amsterdam in a luxury Mercedes vehicle by a professional driver, travel to one of the most beautiful villages in Holland, Giethoorn.  Enjoy a relaxing canal cruise through the elongated village, located in one of the largest areas of continuous fenland in northern Europe. After Giethorn, visit the Zaanse Schans. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh bread, or take a look at the factory warehouse where clogs are made. Admire views of wooden houses, mills, and barns, on the way to a local cheese farm. Choose how you spend your time whether you want to enjoy a cycling or sailing trip, browse the shops, or treat yourself at the pancake restaurant. After a day full of adventure and excitement, your driver will return you back to your accommodation.

Amsterdam: Giethoorn Tour with Canal Cruise and Windmills

9. Amsterdam: Giethoorn Tour with Canal Cruise and Windmills

Start your tour with a convenient, pickup service from your accommodation. After being picked up from Amsterdam in a luxury Mercedes sedan or minivan by a professional driver, travel to one of the most beautiful villages in Holland, Giethoorn. Take a lovely canal cruise through the village, known as the Dutch Venice. The elongated village is located in one of the largest areas of continuous fenland in northern Europe. The village is an excellent starting point to make a canoe trip through the area and there are a number of special museums and art galleries to discover.  After exploring Giethoorn, you will visit the Zaanse Schans and a local cheese and clogs farm. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh bread, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. You should be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry, and the various windmills. The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns, and workshops.

From Amsterdam: Windmills, Volendam, & Marken Private Tour

10. From Amsterdam: Windmills, Volendam, & Marken Private Tour

Start your tour with a convenient, pick-up service from your accommodation. Here is where your driver will be to pick you up and after a short meet and greet you will hop in your private car and set off on your adventure.  Firstly you will visit the Zaanse Schans, a residential area in which the 18th and 19th-centuries are brought to life. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh bread, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. You should be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry and, the various windmills. The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and, workshops. Enjoy a cycling or sailing trip, browse the shops or treat yourself at the pancake restaurant. A day out at the Zaanse Schans in North Holland is fun and educational. After the windmills, you will visit Volendam, a small fishing village with 22000 citizens. Walk along the beautiful harbor and marvel at the typical Volendam shops and enjoy lunch at one of the best seafood restaurants in Holland. Then you will take the ferry to Marken an old Dutch island where you can see houses on wooden poles. After a day full of adventure and excitement you driver will return you back to your accommodation for an evening of well-deserved rest. 

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Frequently asked questions about Zaandam Bus & minivan tours

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What people are saying about Zaandam

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 46 reviews

I had a wonderful experience, learned a lot both from the audio recordings and our guides. The motor coach was very large, double decker, comfortable. I didn’t expect it to be that large and packed with fellow tourists in mid-February. If I went by myself I’d probably spend more time in each place, I guess I felt slightly rushed. We covered a lot of ground in short period of time. Our guides were extremely kind, helpful and knowledgeable! Very funny, too! Our driver was also super professional and supportive of all our needs. I’m not sure I could take care of everyone the way they did! Many thanks to the entire team, they were brilliant. If I went again, I’d have an early lunch before the trip or be prepared with some healthy snacks until the 3-4 pm. meal.

This was a wonderful little trip that at 3.5 hours is absolute the perfect length. Our guide was excellent, switching seamlessly between English and Italian, as 6 Italians were also on the trip. The village is lovely and quaint and the cheese visit is great. You can also watch a clog being made and brew your own Hot Chocolate. Overall it was a cracking little trip.

Ester was a really good guide, lots of knowledge for the tour (also added her personal touch to the tour from facts of her own life as she was raised in a windmill herself which was really interesting) and she made the whole experience the highlight of our visit to Amsterdam. Highly recommended tour and Ester as a guide.

Dost was great. She was a great guide with lots of knowledge. A great quick trip on a cute little bus. Would definitely recommend for anyone needing to fill in a few hours.

A must do when in Amsterdam. Tony and Merriam were our great host. They are very knowledgeable and entertaining.