zaanse schans tours and tickets

• Zaanse Schans Tour
• Walking Tours
• Audio guide
• Groups allowed
• Tour guides

Description

Zaanse schans tour from amsterdam.

Explore true Holland with this amazing tour through  Zaanse Schans , Volendam , Marken and Edam . Historical pearls dotted across the countryside of the Netherlands.

Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken Tour

Your journey starts off at the Zaanse Schans where you’ll see plethora of beautifully preserved Dutch windmills. You’ll have ample time for taking pictures. The stops are located in the so called Waterland area. Where you get to explore some of Holland’s most  picturesque villages: Volendam, Edam & Marken.

Volendam, Edam & Marken Tour

Walk past historic locations in the centre of Edam such as the world famous Cheese Market square. After Edam taste some locally produced typical Dutch cheese at an actual cheese producer close to Volendam. At this location the local cheese master shows you how those famous Gouda en Edam cheeses are actually produced.

Next to the cheese producer stands a little clog factory. Here you’ll learn everything about those famous wooden Dutch shoes. The last stop of this wide-ranging Zaanse Schans Tour is a intimate fishermen town called Marken.

Feel like you’re walking in the 17th century is you explore the harbor and the Protestant church. This wide-ranging tour is something that you simply cannot afford to miss during your short stay in Amsterdam or the Netherlands.

Windmill Village  Zaanse Schans Tour

Zaanse Schans is a working and inhabited neighbourhood in the Dutch city Zaandam which also functions as an open air windmill museum. Between 1961 and 1974 old structures from all over the Zaanstreek region were transported to this little  picturesque  neighbourhood. It has the best preserved collection of historic houses and windmills.

The windmills are in complete original state and are operated by the locals with passion and enthusiasm. At the Zaanse Schans you can explore the insides of the windmills at will where you can see the impressive massive rotating parts first hand. Besides being a real educational experience this is the perfect place to shoot some scenic Dutch windmill pictures!

Edam Cheese Market Square

During the Middle Ages in the Netherlands, the Edam cheese market functioned as the city hub. It was here that local farmers brought their freshly produced cheeses. They were weighed at this location and sold and would then be exported globally.

Back in in 1520 Edam was bestowed the rights to organising this type of market and after 50 years they also managed to get the rights to cheese weighing for all time. Those all times rights however ended in 1922 as cheese was then produced on an industrial scale in factories. However, Edam holds a historic reenactment of this famous market every Wednesday during the summer.

In the 13th century, the small fishing town of Marken got completely separated from the Dutch mainland. What followed was centuries of isolation of the local inhabitants. They survived by fishing from the Zuider-sea and eating bread. The harbour of Marken was constructed in the 19th century to the Marken fleet of typical fishing boats; the botters.

Only as recent as 1959 Marken was finally reconnected with the Dutch mainland by building an embankment. Since then Marken has been a peninsula. Even though it has been reconnected Marken hasn’t lost its authentic quality and spirit. This Dutch town is beautifully preserved.

The tides and frequent flooding forced the local inhabitants to build their wooden houses in clusters. Because Marken was flooded on a regular basis in the past all the homes there were built on earth mounds (werfs) and then on social mounds called “terpen” in Dutch.

People also built houses on poles: these have now been closed to form under-houses. This is the only place in the world where you get to see these beautiful historic little houses.

Visitors can explore the Marken Museum, which is housed in a traditional Marken home, or take a stroll through the Marken Heritage Park. There are also several churches and windmills to see, and the Marken Lighthouse offers stunning views of the surrounding area. In addition, Marken has a number of excellent restaurants and cafes, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the Dutch culture.

What’s Included In The Zaanse Schans Tour

• Bus with air-conditioning
• Audio tour guide in 16 different languages
• In person guide in either English, German or Spanish on extended tour
• See a demonstration of the milling process
• Explore Marken, a traditional Dutch fishing town
• See authentic windmills
• See a demonstration by an actual wooden shoe maker
• Visit an old Dutch bakery and cheese factory close to Volendam
• See the IJsselmeer during a boat trip
• Extra: includes a free canal cruise through Amsterdam

Why Should You See It?

Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken are villages located in the Netherlands that are known for their traditional Dutch architecture, picturesque landscapes, and rich history. Here’s why you should visit these villages:

• Zaanse Schans: This picturesque village is famous for its historic windmills and traditional Dutch houses. You can learn about the traditional Dutch way of life, including the production of cheese, oil, and paint, and visit the Zaanse Schans Museum to learn about the history of windmills.
• Edam: This village is famous for its cheese, which has been produced there for over 700 years. You can visit cheese factories and taste the famous Edam cheese, as well as see the traditional Dutch houses and windmills.
• Volendam: This charming fishing village is famous for its traditional Dutch costumes and folklore. You can visit the Volendam Museum, learn about the history of the village, and see a collection of traditional costumes.
• Marken: This small island is famous for its traditional wooden houses and beautiful landscapes. You can walk through the narrow streets, visit the Marken Museum, and enjoy the scenic views of the sea and surrounding countryside.

In conclusion , visiting Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken is a must-do for anyone interested in traditional Dutch architecture, history, and culture. These villages offer a unique glimpse into the past and a chance to experience traditional Dutch life in a beautiful and picturesque setting.

Zaanse Schans Tour Tickets:

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Zaanse Schans – Windmill Village near Amsterdam

A pleasant half-day trip from Amsterdam is a visit to the picturesque Dutch village park at Zaanse Schans, approximately 15km north of the city. You will find iconic views of the 6 windmills set on the river Zaan, traditional houses, shops and museums.

Zaanse Schans has an open-air museum feel and has become a very popular tourist attraction with 2.5 million annual visitors. It is free to just walk around and take photos.

The Zaanse Schans area was actually set-up in 1963 as a reserve for historic buildings from the region. The buildings were transported here by land and water to be restored.

The Zaan region is well-known for its green houses. It is thought that the green paint made of copper pigment had good weatherproofing qualities.

Zaans Museum

The Zaans Museum is a principal attraction at Zaanse Schans and gives a concise historical overview of the people and industry of the area.

It has a varied collection of paintings, costumes, furniture as well as multimedia exhibits.

The museum also houses the Verkade Experience which is a history of the chocolate and biscuit maker including the old manufacturing machines which you can see in action.

In addition, the Zaans Museum includes two ‘living history’ museums:

The Weaver’s House (Zeilenmakerspad 8) shows how sails were traditionally made using looms.

The Tiemstra Cooperage (De Kwakels 2) will show you the craft of making wooden barrels which were vital for transporting goods.

The museum is open daily 1000-1700. Admission to Zaans Museum costs €14.50, seniors 65+ €11.50, children 4-17 €7.50. Iamsterdam City Card and Museumkaart holders get free entry; the Zaanse Schans card (see below) has entry included.

If you just wish to visit the Weaver’s House and Cooperage, then admission to either costs €3 for adults, €1.50 for children 4-17.

Zaans Museum , Schansend 7, 1509 AW Zaandam

There is a large car park at Zaans Museum which is where most of the coach tours arrive.

Not far from the Zaans Museum is a 2-level wooden watchtower (free entry) which gives an elevated panoramic view of the area.

Other museums/attractions at Zaanse Schans

The Albert Heijn Museum Shop (Kalverringdijk 5) is a reconstruction of the first ever Albert Heijn store from Oostzaan dating back to the late 19th century. Today Albert Heijn is the biggest supermarket in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. Entrance is free, open 1000-1630 weekends only.

The Zaanse Time Museum (Kalverringdijk 3, daily 1100-1600) shows the history of Dutch timepieces with a collection of clocks that chime together on the hour. Standard entrance is €11 for adults, €5.50 for children 4-17. Free entrance for Iamsterdam City Card and Museumkaart.

The Bakery Museum de Gecroonde Duyvekater (Zeilenmakerspad 4, daily 0900-1700) is where you can sample the Duivekater , a famous Zaanse sweet bread. Free entrance.

Honig Breethuis (Lagedijk 80, Fri-Sun 1300-1600) is a 19th century merchant family house on the west-side of the Zaan. Entrance is €7.50 for adults, free for Museumkaart holders.

The Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm (Zeilenmakerspad 5, daily 0830-1730 Oct-Feb/0800-1800 Mar-Sep) is a replica of an old farm from Oostzaan. Cheese makers wear traditional costumes and offer daily demonstrations.

Ever wondered how the ubiquitous Dutch clogs are made? The Clog Workshop (Kraaienest 4, daily 0900-1700 Nov-Feb/0900-1800 Mar-Oct) gives you the chance to see a clog maker in action. Entrance is free and the onsite museum houses an impressive collection of wooden shoes.

World of Windmills at Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is famous for its wooden windmills. The old industrial area of the Zaanstreek once featured more than 1,000 windmills.

The World of Windmills opened in 2020 and includes the Mill Museum and the chance to visit a number of working windmills.

The Mill Museum (Kalverringdijk 30, open 1200-1700 Tue-Sun) houses an interactive exhibition about various aspects of mill life, culture and trade. The highlight is perhaps an 11 metre wide panoramic painting of the windmills in Zaandam around the year 1800.

Individual entry to a windmill costs €5.50 for adults, €2.50 for children 4-17. Combi World of Windmill tickets (Mill Museum + 2 windmills) cost €20. Buy a World of Windmills ticket here

You have the choice to visit the following windmills:

De Kat (The Cat) – paint and dye mill (1664) Het Jonge Schaap (The Young Sheep) – sawmill (2007)

These other windmills at Zaanse Schans may have restricted opening hours or may be closed:

De Bonte Hen (The Brightly Coloured Hen) – oil mill (1693) De Zoeker (The Seeker) – oil mill (1672) De Huisman (The Houseman) – spice mill (1786) Het Pink (The Yearling) – oil mill (1620) Het Prinsenhof (The Prince’s Court) – hulling mill (1722) De Koker (The Pipe) – flour mill (1866) De Schoolmeister (The Schoolmaster) – paper mill (1692) De Gekroonde Poelenburg (The Crowned Poelenburg) – sawmill (1867) De Bleeke Dood (The Pale Death) – flour mill (1656) De Jonge Dirk (The Young Dirk) – paper mill (1908) De Ooievaar (The Stork) – oil mill (1622)

There is a Zaanse Schans card available for purchase (€23.50, children 4-17 €16) which offers entry into the Zaans Museum, Zaanse Time Museum, the Weaver’s House and Cooperage. You can also visit the Mill Museum, paint mill De Kat and saw mill ‘t Jonge Schaap. The card saves about €18 when taking account of all entrance fees. Buy the Zaanse Schans card here

Windmill Cruises Zaanse Schans (Kalverringdijk 21A) are available with departures every 30 minutes between 0930 and 1630. A cruise in a glass-topped boat takes 45 minutes and costs €13.50 (children 4-12 €7.50).

Getting to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam

There are a number of possibilities for getting to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam.

TOUR: The easiest way is to take an organised half-day Zaanse Schans tour with pick-up near Amsterdam Central station. Or take a combined Zaanse Schans + Volendam/Marken tour

In terms of public transport, there are 2 choices for reaching Zaanse Schans.

TRAIN: Take one of the NS Sprinter stopping trains from Amsterdam Central (direction Uitgeest, up to 4x hourly) to station Zaandijk Zaanse Schans .

From there it’s about 10-15 minutes walk to Zaanse Schans – just follow the signs. Walk up the road (Stationstraat) and then turn left towards the windmill and then right to cross over the bridge.

BUS: Connexxion’s Industrial Heritage bus line (391) runs from the bus station (IJ-side) at Amsterdam Central to Zaandam and the Zaanse Schans windmills. It runs up to 4x hourly and the trip takes about 40 minutes.

Public transport tickets for Zaanse Schans

The Zaanstreek Bus Day Ticket costs €11.50 and is valid on all Connexxion services in the Zaandam/Zaanstreek area including the 391 trip to/from Amsterdam. A 90 minute “Bus Tram Metro” ticket costs €6.50.

A day return (2023) on the train costs €7.40 and the trip takes just under 20 mins. There is a €1 surcharge for disposable tickets.

It is well worth getting out of Amsterdam to have a look around Zaanse Schans, a picture postcard version of a traditional Dutch village in a water and country setting.

This article was originally published in 2011. Last updated 3 January 2023 .

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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Your Guide to Visiting Zaanse Schans, a Short and Sweet Day Trip from Amsterdam

Last Updated on March 24, 2024 by Michela

The Netherlands are known around the world for (mainly) two things: tulips and windmills! Since I already covered everything you need to know about visiting Keukenhof Gardens , the most renowned tulip garden in the world, it’s time I share my tips for visiting the best place to see the Dutch people’s signature architecture. Discover the best way to visit Zaanse Schans in this guide!

Zaanse Schans is a residential area/park just north of Amsterdam. It is not only a fantastic place to see windmills, but a fun and educational experience to learning about Dutch history and way of life in centuries past.

Even if you only have a weekend in Amsterdam , you can squeeze this quick and easy day trip!

Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure !

How to reach Zaanse Schans

First things first – how can you get to Zaanse Schans? If you are coming from Amsterdam, you have several options.

The first option is to arrive by car. There is a paid parking lot right in front of the park, but if you arrive towards sunset after it is no longer officially open, you don’t have to pay for the parking.

It is an 18-minute drive from the center of Amsterdam, completely along main roads.

By public transportation

You can take the Sprinter 4060 bus toward Uitgeest from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, which is about a 20 minute walk from the park. The bus ride is 30 minutes long.

If you are already in the surrounding area, there are a number of public boats and boat tours you can hop on to reach the park.

By organized tour

Getting to Zaanse Schans isn’t overwhelming by car or public transport, so to save money, I suggest you use one of those options.

But if you are looking to enrich your day trip with more activities or simply prefer someone else handling the transportation for you, then opt for an organized tour.

What to See in Zaanse Schans

Enter the historic dutch windmills.

The main attraction are the Zaanse Schans windmills.

Some mills date back to the 1600s, and what makes them all special is that they each have different histories and use cases. One makes paint, one houses spices, one is a saw mill and more!

One thing to keep in mind is that not every mill is open every day or during all seasons. If there is something particular you want to see, check the website for updated opening times .

You can buy your tickets to enter the mills online or at the mill entrance.

Walk along the windmills and nature park trail

Right beside the trail that leads you down the path of the windmills is an expansive stretch of land that looks like a nature park.

The atmosphere is so tranquil, and you can spot wildlife! I saw birds and rabbits, but I believe there are other small fluffy creatures that also roam the area.

If you have a bike or rent one, it is also the perfect scenic route for a bike ride.

Get up-close to sweet farm animals

One thing I wasn’t expecting about Zaanse Schans but absolutely loved were the farm animals that roam around the village!

I saw the fluffiest sheep just munching away at the grass only a few feet from me, completely out in the open.

Explore the replica of an 18 th century Dutch village

There are so many things to do at Zaanse Schans beyond the windmills. The replica village comes alive with mini museums, workshops and boutiques. There are also several restaurants serving traditional Dutch cuisine.

Tips for Visiting Zaanse Schans

Go at early morning or towards sunset

It’s always better to visit attractions with fewer crowds, right? I visited the park at sunset, which was actually after the park’s opening hours. The area was still open to enter and people were visiting, but many of the shops were closed.

This was actually a perfect time to visit if you want a tranquil experience with nearly no people and a gorgeous landscape of the windmills at sunset.

If instead you are all about the attractions (which I actually didn’t know much about before visiting), then try to arrive at opening hours before the midday peak.

Don’t skip the Zaans Museum

I wish the museum were open when I visited, but unfortunately, I arrived after closing time, so I didn’t get to experience it firsthand.

However, this main museum is all about food coming to life in various ways! Besides the Zaans Museum, there are also other experiences like the Albert Heign Museum, bakery museum and more!

Don’t disturb the wildlife of the Zaan region

The Zaanse Schans is right next to what looks like a sort of nature preserve and along the Zaan River. We saw lots of birds and rabbits that get pretty close to you.

Another animal we saw a lot of? Cats. To ensure nothing bad happens to you or the animals, it is best to just avoid interaction.

Get the Zaanse Schans card for access to all activities

The Zaanse Schans park is free to visit, but if you are interested in doing more than just walking around and actually engaging in all the activities it has to offer, then consider purchasing the Zaanse Schans card .

I think this option is great for families, since many of the activities are designed to keep kids engaged. If you have short time, then it may be better to just visit the park for free and pay for one or two activities as you go.

But, at least you know that there is this option for enjoying the Zaanse Schans.

The SGTD Take

I believe Zaanse Schans is totally worth a visit if you are in Amsterdam and would like an extra interesting thing to do. Not only are the windmills beautiful, but it is really special to be immersed in Dutch history and culture.

A visit shouldn’t take you more than a couple of hours. In fact, if you are just interested in seeing the windmills, you could probably walk by all of them in less than an hour. In this way, it becomes a day trip adaptable to any itinerary and one I don’t think you should miss!

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Have any questions about visiting Zaanse Schans ? Let me know in a comment!

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

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Zaanse Schans Windmills: A perfect Day Trip from Amsterdam

Zaanse Schans is a village with authentic wooden houses, windmills, a wooden shoe workshop, a cheese factory, and more crafts that give an accurate impression of life in the Netherlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. The windmills of Zaanse Schans are a beautiful tourist attraction in the Netherlands and can easily be visited on a 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.

Here are all your hotel options in Zaanse Schans.

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.

Also discover: Volendam & Marken – Beautiful villages in the Netherlands

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! 

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, a cheese-making farm, a bakery, and many more museums, large and small, are located at Zaanse Schans. 

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.

Also read: Things to do in Amsterdam (City Trip Guide)

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

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. 

We recommend to rent a car in Netherlands through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Bus to Zaanse Schans

Take bus 391 (50 minutes) or bus 891 (30 minutes) at Amsterdam Central Station. Both buses 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).

The train from Amsterdam Central 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.

A return ticket costs 6.80 EUR when bought online. Ordering train tickets online at NS is generally cheaper than a ticket at the vending machine. 

Your last option is to join a Zaanse Schans tour. It is a half-day activity that includes transport in the form of a large bus, a guide, and entry to the windmills, a cheese factory, and a clog (wooden shoe) workshop. Sometimes, it includes a cruise as well.

Book a tour easily online here

Zaanse Schans Tickets

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

Do you need to book in advance to visit Zaanse Schans?

The windmills and wooden houses are a popular attraction in the Netherlands. There is no need to book your trip in advance if you are not joining a tour. 

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 the 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!

Hotels in Zaanse Schans 😴

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Amsterdam & tulips travel guide, from amsterdam to zaanse schans: plan your visit.

Your visit to the Netherlands would not be complete without visiting the picturesque Dutch countryside. The Zaanse Schans, a typically Dutch small village with green-timbered houses and historical windmills, is located just outside Amsterdam. You will definitely enjoy visiting it!

Zaanse Schans Tours from Amsterdam

Taking a tour to the Zaanse Schans is a good idea, especially if you have a short visit to the Netherlands. One of the cheapest options is the Zaanse Schans tour from Amsterdam (from € 29,50).

Reservation for all tours is required. The tours are popular, so in the hight season we recommend to book the tours online at least 2-3 days in advance. Book now >>

Zaanse Schans: how to get there?

Zaanse Schans is located just 16,5 km away from Amsterdam. You can get there by car, bicycle or public transport.

How to get to the Zaanse Schans by car

Navigation address: Schansend 7, 1509 AW, Zaandam . In 2024 parking costs € 11 – € 15 per day for cars, depending on the season. It is not possible to pay with cash, only with card.

It is possible to park with motor homes near the Zaanse Schans, the address of the parking place is Wezelstraat 12, 1541 LZ, Koog aan de Zaan .

How to get to the Zaanse Schans by bus

Take Connexxion bus line 391 from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaanse Schans. It departs every 15 minutes. The journey takes 40 minutes. You can buy tickets online or from the bus driver. A ticket costs € 11.50 and it’s valid all day.

Use the Glimble travel planner to check current departures times and plan your journey:

• Download Glimble for iOS >>
• Download Glimble for Android >>

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is also valid in this bus. The Region Travel Card offers you an opportunity to visit big attractions around Amsterdam (Zaanse Schans, Volendam, the Beach at Zandvoort and much more) on your own, with flexible departure times. Order A&RTT online >>

You can also use the Dutch Countryside Card . The Card is a unique combination of:

• Amsterdam & Region Travel Card (unlimited public transportation in and around Amsterdam)
• canal cruise in Amsterdam .

How to get to the Zaanse Schans by train

Take a Sprinter to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station. The train journey from Amsterdam Central Station takes only 17 minutes ( book tickets online ). Zaanse Schans is just a 10-minute walk from the station. You will see numerous direction signs as soon as you leave the station.

Tip! If you travel to the Zaanse Schans by train, make a stop at Zaandam.

This world-famous building in Zaandam, which facade is made of stacked typical houses from the area, is actually a hotel. So you can even stay there! It’s only 12 minutes by train to Amsterdam. Check Inntel Hotels Zaandam >>

Attractions of the Zaanse Schans

The village of the Zaanse Schans is the world famous for its collection of historic windmills. Many of them are not just heritage, but still fully-operating wooden machines. You can visit windmills and see it yourself how they are used for making spices, sawing wood, grinding oil and much more. Very impressive!

Zaanse Schans opening hours in 2024

The Zaanse Schans village is open for visitors any time of the day and the year. However different attactions opening hours differ depending on the season. In the high season (from April to November) almost everything is open between 10.00 and 17.00. But in the low season it is different. We recommend you to check opening hours online before you go to visit the Zaanse Schans.

Zaanse Schans prices & tickets (windmills, cruises)

Most of museums and craft demonstrations, and several windmills can be visited free of charge. But for some of the attractions you have to pay . For example, a ticket to Het Jonge Schaap, De Zoeker and De Kat windmills costs €5,00 for adults and €2,50 for children each.

You can also buy a  Zaanse Schans card (€29,50), which is a includes:

• Zaans Museum ticket (usual price – €14,50)
• Verkade Chocolate and Biscuit Factory ticket
• Weaver’s House ticket
• Coopery entrance ticket
• Museum Zaan Time ticket
• World of Windmill sticket
• De Kat paint windmill ticket
• Het Jonge Schaap saw windmill ticket
• Museum Zaanse Tijd ticket
• 30% discount on parking ticket (usual price – € 11 – € 15 per day)

Zaanse Schans with I amsterdam card

If you have the I amsterdam city card , you can visit many of the Zaanse Schans attractions for free . In 2024 Zaan Time Museum and Zaans Museum and Verkade Experience as well as several windmills in Zaanse Schans are included in the card .

• Download the I amsterdam card booklet with all included locations >>
• Order I amsterdam Card online >>

How long will it take to visit the Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans will easily fill half a day. Keep in mind that the village is located close to the water, and the weather will most probably be windy. Taking some warm clothes (gloves, shawls, scarfs) will make your visit to the Zaanse Schans more comfortable.

Enjoy your visit to the Zaanse Schans!

This article is also available in German: Willkommen im Dorf Zaanse Schans!

About the author:

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Hi, can we use the I AMSTERDAM CARD for the 817 and 397 buses in Zaanse Schans area?

Kindly email answer.

Hi Hannah, to the I Amsterdam city card is only valid in the public transport within the city (operated by GVB company)/

Hi, is there direct bus 817 between the Zaanse Schans and Volendam this summer 2023 as well? can you please tell me is that bus running every day? and price too. thank you.

Hi! No, unfortunately the bus 817 is no longer operating. We’ve updated information in the article above. Sorry for the possible inconvenience!

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Small-Group Excursions and Private Tours

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Zaan Tours offers private tours, excursions and guided tours in the Zaan region, just minutes away from Amsterdam.  Half-day small-group excursions to Zaanse Schans are operated daily from Amsterdam and Zaandam. Private tours are customizable and can include world-famous Zaanse Schans windmills, the city center of Zaandam but also to Volendam, Giethoorn and the cities of The Hague and Rotterdam. We also offer boat tours on the Zaan river, including an unique dinner cruise with stops at restaurants along the river passing windmills on the way. 

Our tours are possible as one person VIP Private tour up to a big group tour for 100 guests. Tours can be offered for a few hours,  a full day tour and even as multiple day tour including accommodation. Just contact us if you would like to learn more.

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+316 44747011, [email protected], contact info.

Experience a world-famous piece of Holland

Visit the Zaans Museum at the Zaanse Schans

Verkade Experience

Imagine yourself in an early 20th century chocolate and biscuit factory

There is plenty to see and do in Zaans Museum

Zaans museum.

Schansend 7, Zaandam

+31 (0)75 681 00 00 [email protected]

• Plan your visit
• Things to See & Do
• Group visits & Venue hire
• School trip
• Guided tours
• Museum & Collection
• Tsar Peter House

The Zaans Museum was founded in 1998 on the Zaanse Schans to guard and preserve the Zaan heritage.

The Hembrug Museum tells the story of the arms and ammunition factory that was located on the Hembrugterrein in Zaandam.

In 1697, the Russian Tsar Peter the Great stayed in this world-famous house in the center of Zaandam.

The Zaans Museum uses cookies on this website.

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• 1 . Tickets
• 2 . Products
• 3 . Date selection
• 4 . Personal details
• 5 . Payment

Book your tickets

Choose your tickets.

• Select your tickets Price Quantity Subtotal
• Adults €29.50 €29.50 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
• Children aged 4 to 17 years €20.00 €20.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
• Subtotal: €0.00
• I have a discount code Your (discount) code is invalid. Make sure the code is entered correctly. If you have entered the code before without completing the order, the code will be invalid for 15 minutes. Please try again after 15 minutes. Enter your discount code here Check Discount code: - €0.00
• Total price

Please note:

• We accept both printed and digital tickets.
• Please find all our house rules on the website.
• A parking space is not guaranteed.
• Campers are not allowed in the parking lot.

Questions about your order

Do you have any questions about your online tickets purchase or a discount card? Take a look at the answers to Frequently asked questions . To receive help with questions about your ticket or the ordering process, please contact Global Ticket via ticket support-button .

Frequently asked questions

There's so much to do at the Zaanse Schans. Not all the attractions are open every day, but most are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For detailed opening hours, please visit https://www.dezaanseschans.nl/plan-uw-bezoek/openingstijden/

The Zaanse Schans is free to visit, but this card gives you all kinds of extras to make your visit even more enjoyable. With the Zaanse Schans Card, you enjoy free admission to all museum locations, attractive discounts on a boat trip with Windmill Cruises, and discounts at participating souvenir shops and restaurants.

Not all locations are accessible with a wheelchair or walker. However, there are a number of accessible bridges on the Zaanse Schans. Disabled toilets are located at the Zaanse Schans and in the Zaans Museum. Special parking spaces are available for visitors with disabilities. A limited number of wheelchairs are available in the Zaans Museum, which can be reserved via [email protected] or by calling +31 (0)75 681 00 00 .

There is a free, unsupervised cloakroom in the Zaans Museum where you can leave your bags or other belongings in a locker. Please note: you can only do this if you have a valid admission ticket.

Information about group visits can be found here .

Once you have paid for and completed your order, you will receive a confirmation e-mail, with your e-ticket(s) attached as PDFs, within a few minutes. If you still haven't received an e-mail after a couple of hours (check your junk mail folder first), contact our customer service.

It's useful for you and for us, but it's not necessary. You can also show the QR code (on the online ticket) on your smartphone or tablet when you're at the Zaanse Schans visitor centre at the Zaans Museum. Your online ticket will then be exchanged for a Zaanse Schans Card.

Contact us by e-mail: [email protected] or call +31 (0)75 681 00 00