Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam: Windmills, Clogs and Cheese

How to get to Zaanse Schans

Getting there is straightforward using Amsterdam's public transport. The most common way is by train from Amsterdam Centraal to the station named Zaandijk Zaanse Schans (formerly Koog-Zaandijk). The journey takes roughly 20 minutes, followed by a well-signposted 15-minute walk to the village entrance. A return train ticket usually costs around €10–16; check the NS website for current times.

Alternatively, you can take the Rnet bus 391 from the IJ-zijde (waterfront) side of Amsterdam Centraal. It takes slightly longer than the train—around 40 minutes—but drops you off directly at the Zaanse Schans entrance. This is often a good option if you are using an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket.

What is Zaanse Schans?

Zaanse Schans is an open-air museum and a residential area that recreates a Zaan village from the 18th and 19th centuries. While some of the buildings are original to the site, many were relocated here from across the Zaan region in the 1960s to preserve them. It is undeniably touristy—expect coach tours and crowds during peak hours—but it remains a beautiful and well-maintained window into Dutch heritage.

The historic windmills

The main draw is the collection of six historic windmills lining the river Zaan. Unlike the decorative windmills you might see elsewhere, these are working machines. Each has a specific purpose: De Kat produces paint and pigments, De Zoeker is an oil mill, and Het Jonge Schaap is a saw mill. Several are open to the public for a small fee (usually around €5–7 per mill), allowing you to climb up to the deck and see the massive wooden gears in motion.

Clogs, cheese and crafts

Beyond the mills, the village is home to several workshops. The Clog Workshop offers free live demonstrations of traditional wooden shoe making, and the Catharina Hoeve cheese farm shows how Gouda and Edam are produced. Both are free to enter, though they lead into large gift shops. There are also smaller craft houses dedicated to pewter and bakery products.

Zaans Museum and Verkade Pavilion

Located near the entrance, the Zaans Museum provides deeper context on the industrial history of the region. A highlight is the Verkade Pavilion, which houses a recreated early 20th-century chocolate and biscuit factory. It is a good indoor option if the weather turns, though for many visitors, the outdoor windmills are the main event.

Timing your visit

To avoid the worst of the crowds, aim to arrive before 10:00 or after 15:00. Most tour buses arrive in the late morning and stay until mid-afternoon. Zaanse Schans is best treated as a half-day trip; four hours is typically enough to see the mills, the workshops, and have a snack.

Eating and drinking

There are a few options on-site, including the pancake restaurant De Timmerzaal and the nearby Museumcafé. Prices are typical for a major tourist attraction, with light meals or pancakes costing around €12–20. For something slightly more local, you can find small bakeries and cafes in the village of Zaandijk just across the bridge.

Is Zaanse Schans worth it?

If this is your first time in the Netherlands and you want to see windmills without travelling for hours, Zaanse Schans is absolutely worth the trip. It is scenic, educational, and very easy to reach. However, if you prefer a less commercial, more 'wild' windmill experience, you might consider the UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk near Rotterdam, though it is much further from Amsterdam.

Practical tips for your visit

• Bring some cash: While most places take card, some smaller stalls or mill entries might prefer cash.
• Check the trains: Use the NS app or website to check for any track maintenance before you set off.
• Windy weather: The site is very exposed; bring a windproof layer even on sunny days.