Things to do in

Zaanse Schans

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.

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.

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.

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, 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): • Allard Pierson Museum Amsterdam • Amsterdam Museum • Amsterdam Pipe Museum • Amsterdam Tulip Museum • Architectuur Centrum Amsterdam • ARTIS Royal Zoo • ARTIS Micropia • ARTIS Groote Museum • Cobra Museum Amstelveen • Diamond Museum • Self guided Foodie Tours • Embassy of the Free Mind • EYE Filmmuseum • Fashion for Good • Foam - Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam • Fun Forest • Gassan Diamonds • Geelvinck Pianola Museum • Grachtenmuseum - Museum of the Canals • H'ART Amsterdam • Hortus Botanicus - Botanical Garden • Huis Marseille - Museum for Photography • Jewish Cultural Quarter - Portuguese Synagogue • Jewish Museum - Jewish Cultural Quarter • Luther Museum • Moco Museum • Molen van Sloten & Kuiperijmuseum • Museum de Dageraad • Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder • Museum Het Rembrandthuis • Museum Het Schip • Museum Tot Zover • Museum Van Loon • Museum Willet-Holthuysen • De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam • Outsider Art Museum • Oude Kerk • Rijksmuseum • Het Scheepvaartmuseum - The National Maritime Museum • Science Center NEMO • The Studio NEMO • Stadsarchief Amsterdam - City Archives • Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam • THIS IS HOLLAND • Tropenmuseum • Verzetsmuseum - Dutch Resistance Museum • Woonbootmuseum - 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 Zaanse Schans e.g.: • Zaans Museum & Verkade Experience • Kuiperij Tiemstra (Coopery) • Wevershuis- The Weaver’s House • Mills 25% Discount: Music & Stage • Bimhuis – Jazz • Boom Chicago - English improvisation comedy theatre • Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ - Contemporary music & classical music • Nationale Opera & Ballet - Dutch National Opera & Ballet 25% Discount Attractions e.g. • The Amsterdam Dungeon • Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium Tours • Fabrique des Lumieres • Heineken experience • House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience (18+) • NXT Museum • Our House • Rembrandts Amsterdam • STRAAT museum 25% discount at Transport & Rentals

Immerse yourself in the culture of the Netherlands on a tour through the jewels of the Dutch countryside. Visit a cheese producer, a clog factory, a fishing village, and see the iconic windmills. Start your tour at Amsterdam’s Central Station and head in the company of your guide to the first destination of the day, Zaanse Schans. Admire the typical Dutch windmills of the town, and learn about how they are still used today. Next, drive to the Waterland area to arrive at the second stop of the tour, Edam. Walk around some of the town’s most historical sites, including the town square where the famous cheese market used to take place. Then, head to Volendam to visit a local cheese producer, learn about the production of Edam and Gouda cheeses, and try a cheese tasting. Head towards a clog factory next to discover the secrets of this typical Dutch shoe. Finally, travel back in time to the 17th century as you wander through the fishermen’s houses in the Marken, and explore this quintessential fishing village. IMPORTANT The visit to Marken may be substituted for safety reasons in case of bad weather conditions.

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.

Are you ready to escape the bustling streets of Amsterdam and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Dutch countryside? Join us on our 6.5-hour guided tour as we take you on an unforgettable adventure through Zaanse Schans, Edam, and Volendam. We'll begin our journey with a short 20-minute drive to Zaanse Schans, a picturesque windmill village nestled along the banks of the river Zaan. Prepare to be captivated by the timeless charm of 18th and 19th-century architecture, where functioning windmills and wooden houses paint a scene straight out of a storybook. Discover the fascinating art of traditional Dutch wooden shoe-making as skilled artisans showcase their craft before your eyes. Afterward, it's time to explore the pearl of the former Zuiderzee - the enchanting village of Edam. Lose yourself in its narrow streets lined with stunning 17th-century buildings, tranquil canals, and the iconic public weighing house. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the famous Edam Cheese Market and even indulge in a taste of delicious cheese at a nearby farm. Our final stop will be the picturesque seaside village of Volendam. Wander alongside your knowledgeable guide as you soak in the history and charm of this idyllic destination. Explore the time-honored St. Vincent's Church, the remarkable wooden Stolphoevekerk, and witness the vibrant Fish Auction. Take a leisurely stroll atop the Dike and be mesmerized by the breathtaking panoramic view of the IJssel lake. Don't miss your chance to experience the beauty and culture of the Dutch countryside. Reserve your spot now and join us on this incredible adventure. Let the magic of Zaanse Schans, Edam, and Volendam create memories that will last a lifetime. 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.

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.

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.