Zaandam

Sightseeing cruises

Take a day trip by bus from Amsterdam for a comfortable break into deep-rooted Dutch tradition! Travel beyond breathtaking countryside, connect to free Wi-Fi, and get carried away by the iconic windmills. At first, Zaanse Schans welcomes you to a village like no other. Walk around at leisure; admire the windmills that are perfectly preserved and the quaint old houses. Onwards now to Volendam, the lively fishing village. There, visit a cheese shop where the old ways are still used, and enjoy an instructive Volendam cheese presentation. Then, enjoy a fine lunch in a traditional fish restaurant (at your own pace and cost), after which you can explore the rest of Volendam's treats. For the ultimate Dutch experience, choose to pay in full, cover a beautiful boat ride to Marken, enter a working windmill, and see an interesting demonstration of clog-making!

Visit Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken on a guided bus tour from Amsterdam. Admire the famous windmills of Zaanse Schans, attend a clog-making demonstration, and sample Edam and Gouda cheese. Depart Amsterdam by luxury bus on this exciting tour and head north of the city to see the historic windmills of Zaanse Schans on the banks of the river Zaan. Explore the traditional 17th-century houses and a collection of beautifully preserved windmills from the nation’s industrial heritage. Continue on to visit Edam, a beautiful town known worldwide for its cheese. Enjoy a cheese tasting and an exciting clog demonstration. Before the end of the day, go to Volendam and Marken, passing many authentic polders, the name given to land reclaimed from the sea. Wander down narrow streets, past colorful houses and visit the harbors full of fishing boats. You will have some free time to shop for souvenirs and sample the local fish specialties. Back in Amsterdam, you will be dropped off at the meeting point.

Discover the charm and heritage of the Dutch countryside on this full-day tour from Amsterdam. Visit traditional villages, enjoy local flavors, and immerse yourself in the Netherlands’ most iconic landscapes and customs. Begin at Zaanse Schans, where you’ll find a collection of working windmills, wooden houses, and artisan workshops. Learn how these historic windmills contributed to the Dutch economy and take stunning photos in one of the country’s most picturesque locations. Next, travel to Edam, the hometown of the world-famous cheese. Stroll through cobblestone streets, admire historic canals, and visit the square where the original Edam Cheese Market once took place. Near Volendam, stop at a family-run farm for a live demonstration of traditional cheese-making techniques for Gouda and Edam. You’ll also visit a clog workshop to see how wooden shoes are carved and painted by hand. In Volendam, enjoy free time at the vibrant fishing harbor. Try classic Dutch street food like herring or kibbeling, explore souvenir shops, or simply enjoy the coastal charm. Your final countryside stop is Marken, a quiet island village full of character. Walk past colorful wooden homes, visit the quaint harbor, and see the local Protestant church that stands as a symbol of the village’s history. Back in Amsterdam, you can upgrade your experience with an optional canal cruise. Relax aboard a boat as you glide through the city’s UNESCO-listed waterways, passing historic buildings and charming bridges. IMPORTANT The visit to Marken may be substituted for safety reasons in bad weather conditions. ¡¡¡From 17.8.2025 to 27.8.2025, the start/end point will be modified due to the SAIL celebration in Amsterdam. Even the canal cruise option could suffer disruptions or modifications!!!

Travel easily in Amsterdam and the surrounding area by purchasing an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT).  You can use the ARTT for unlimited travel by train (2nd class) between any of the following stations in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Region: Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA, Amsterdam Central station, Amsterdam Holendrecht, Amsterdam Lelylaan, Amsterdam Muiderpoort, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam Sciencepark, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Zuid, Duivendrecht, Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, Halfweg-Zwanenburg, Haarlem, Haarlem Spaarnwoude, Overveen, Zandvoort aan Zee, Zaandam, Zaandam Kogerveld, Purmerend Weidevenne, Purmerend, Purmerend Overwhere, Koog aan de Zaan, Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, Hoofddorp, Diemen, Weesp, Almere Poort, Almere Centrum, Almere Muziekwijk, Almere Parkwijk, Almere Buiten, Almere Oostvaarders, Lelystad Centrum, Diemen Zuid, Naarden-Bussum, Hilversum, Hilversum Mediapark, Hilversum Sportpark, Bloemendaal, Santpoort Zuid, Santpoort Noord, Driehuis, Uitgeest and Beverwijk. The ticket is also valid on all trams, buses, night buses, metros and ferries run by the Amsterdam Transport company GVB, EBS and Connexxion in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Region including the Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397 and N97 (operated by Connexxion). During Keukenhof Season this ticket is valid: From Amsterdam (Europaplein) to Keukenhof on bus route 852 operated by Arriva From Schiphol Airport to Keukenhof on bus route 858 operated by Arriva From Hoofddorp station to Keukenhof on bus route 859 operated by Arriva From Haarlem station to Keukenhof on bus route 50 operated by Connexxion

Make the most of your time in Amsterdam with an I amsterdam City Card, and enjoy free entrance to many of the city's top museums and attractions, including the Rijksmuseum, A'DAM LOOKOUT, H'ART Museum, Moco Museum, and Rembrandt House Museum. Benefit from discounted entry to other attractions, such as Heineken Experience, Johan Cruijff Arena, and Amsterdam Dungeon. Valid for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours from first use, unlimited access to the city's public transportation system for the duration of your card allows you to get around quickly. Enjoy one free canal cruise from several canal cruise companies at many locations in Amsterdam and 24-hour free bicycle rental. Complete listing offers included in the I amsterdam City Card Free admission to the following museums/attractions (timeslot booking may be required): • A'DAM LOOKOUT • Allard Pierson Museum Amsterdam • Amsterdam Museum • Amsterdam Pipe Museum • Amsterdam Tulip Museum • Architectuur Centrum Amsterdam • ARTIS Royal Zoo • ARTIS Micropia • ARTIS Groote Museum • Boom Chicago - English improvisation comedy theatre • Cobra Museum Amstelveen • Diamond Museum • Self guided Food Tours • Embassy of the Free Mind • EYE Filmmuseum • Foam - all about photography • Fun Forest • Gassan Diamonds • Geelvinck Pianola Museum • Museum of the Canals • H'ART Amsterdam • Hortus Botanicus - Botanical Garden • Huis Marseille - Museum for Photography • Jewish Cultural Quarter - Jewish Museum, Portuguese Synagogue, Holocaust Museum and Hollandsche Schouwburg. • Luther Museum • Moco Museum • Molen van Sloten & Kuiperijmuseum • Museum de Dageraad • Museum of the Mind • Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder • Museum Het Schip • Museum Tot Zover • Museum Van Loon • Museum Willet-Holthuysen • De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam • Outsider Art Museum • Oude Kerk • Rembrandt House Museum • Rijksmuseum • Het Scheepvaartmuseum - The National Maritime Museum • Science Center NEMO • Stadsarchief Amsterdam - City Archives • Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam • STRAAT museum • THIS IS HOLLAND • Wereldmuseum • Dutch Resistance Museum • Houseboat Museum In Haarlem: • Frans Hals Museum • Teylers Museum • Verwey Museum In Volendam/Marken: • Rederij Volendam Marken (ferry) • Volendams Museum In Enkhuizen: • Zuiderzee Museum In Zaandam.: • Zaans Museum & Verkade Experience • Coopery Tiemstra • The Weaver’s House • Tsar Peter House • Museum Zaanse Time • Mills at Zaanse Schans 25% Discount: Music & Stage • Bimhuis – Jazz • Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ - Contemporary music & classical music • Nationale Opera & Ballet - Dutch National Opera & Ballet 25% Discount Attractions e.g. • AMAZE • The Amsterdam Dungeon • Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium Tours • Fabrique des Lumières • Heineken experience • House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience (18+) • NXT Museum • Rembrandts Amsterdam 25% discount at Transport & Rentals

From Amsterdam: Daytrip to the windmill village Zaanse Schans and Keukenhof Set off on a self-guided day trip from Amsterdam and immerse yourself in Dutch culture. Discover the world's largest flower garden at Keukenhof and visit the traditional windmill village, Zaanse Schans where you can admire the windmills, sample some Dutch cheese, and see the Wooden Shoe Museum. Depart from Amsterdam and transfer to the Zaanse Schans. Go at your own pace and check out the activities on offer including wooden shoe-making and clog painting workshops (at your own expense). Use our Free Map and great app for a walking tour and tips from locals. Try some Dutch cheese and see the historic buildings and windmills that the Netherlands is so well known for. It is also possible to visit the windmills, entrance fee is 7.50 pp Head to Keukenhof and admire millions of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils in bloom. Enjoy the flower shows, visit special exhibitions, and take part in different activities. The garden also features a sculpture park, a maze, and a fairytale garden. Stay as long as you like in Keukenhof. Return to Amsterdam at your leisure. Schedule: Schedule A 08.00: Departure from Amsterdam 08.30: Arrival Zaanse Schans 11.00: Departure Zaanse Schans to Keukenhof 12.00: Arrival Keukenhof -- Stay as long as you like in Keukenhof, last bus back at 18:30 Schedule B 10.30: Departure from Amsterdam 11.00: Arrival Zaanse Schans 13.30: Departure Zaanse Schans to Keukenhof 14.30: Keukenhof -- Stay as long as you like in Keukenhof, last bus back at 18:30

After you arrive, your guide will lead you on an introductory tour of the town. You'll have the chance to visit a Wooden Shoemaker's Shop, where they'll offer a live demonstration of crafting wooden shoes. Following that, you'll experience a demonstration at an authentic Dutch Cheese Farm. You can taste as much cheese as you want at the shop! Once you're ready to explore Zaanse Schans independently, your guide will share more insights about the village's uniqueness, local history, and culture. They'll also provide insider recommendations for activities and destinations. With this information, you're all set to embark on your self-guided exploration before returning to Amsterdam Amsterdam Canal Cruise Embark on the Amsterdam Canal Cruise, a leisurely journey that showcases the city's iconic attractions, including the historic Canal houses from the Golden Age, the Westerkerk, and the Anne Frank House. Delight in a relaxing and immersive sightseeing experience as you glide past these renowned landmarks, discovering the charm of Amsterdam from a unique perspective.

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.

Experience an unforgettable adventure as you discover the enchanting beauty of Giethoorn and the iconic Zaanse Schans windmills. Immerse yourself in the peace and splendor of Giethoorn's picturesque waterways during a scenic canal cruise, where you can admire the charming thatched-roof farmhouses and elegant bridges that adorn this car-free village. In Zaanse Schans, witness the impressive windmills in action, paying tribute to the rich heritage of craftsmanship and innovation in the Netherlands. Throughout the tour, you'll be accompanied by a passionate local guide who shares captivating stories and insights about the history and culture of the region. Indulge your taste buds with a delicious stroopwafel, a typical Dutch treat, and stay hydrated with complimentary bottles of water. The tour provides live commentary on board, offering interesting facts and anecdotes as you travel in comfort. Immerse yourself in the charm of Giethoorn and the fascinating world of Zaanse Schans, creating lasting memories and developing a deep appreciation for the natural and cultural wonders of the Netherlands. Get ready to explore, experience, and enjoy the best of these iconic destinations.

Experience a full day filled with Dutch flowering fields and spectacular gardens on this guided tour of the Keukenhof Gardens. See rows of tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, all growing in different colors and sizes. Taste local cheese and observe the traditional method of making wooden shoes. When you arrive at Keukenhof Gardens, you will receive a 45-minute guided tour through the park, leaving you enough free time to explore at your own leisure. Your guide will explain how each type of flower is cultivated and its history and significance within Dutch culture.  After soaking up the garden vistas, continue to Zaanse Schans, the famous windmill village. Tour the town with your guide. Visit the wooden shoemaker shop for a live demonstration of how wooden shoes are crafted, followed by a cheese-making demonstration and tasting. Before you set off to discover Zaanse Schans on your own, your guide will give you further information on what makes it a unique village, inform you about local history and culture, and provide you with insider tips about the area. You can upgrade your tour to include the Amsterdam Canal Cruise, gliding past the city’s famous attractions such as canal houses from the Golden Age, the Westerkerk, the Anne Frank, and more. Alternatively, get a This is Holland Voucher to experience a 5D flight experience of the Netherlands.