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Zaanse Schans: Historic Village Experience
5.0
11 Ratings
Amsterdam
Zaanse Schans: Discover this charming, historic village that transports visitors to the 18th and 19th centuries. Stroll through the iconic wooden houses and operational windmills, while uncovering the area’s rich history and heritage. Delight in a Gouda cheese tasting, relish local hot chocolate, and witness a wooden shoe crafting demonstration.
Zaanse Schans: Discover this charming, historic village that transports visitors to the 18th and 19th centuries. Stroll through the iconic wooden houses and operational windmills, while uncovering the area’s rich history and heritage. Delight in a Gouda cheese tasting, relish local hot chocolate, and witness a wooden shoe crafting demonstration.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Amsterdam - 9:30 AM: Begin the day with a pick-up from your hotel in Amsterdam, or at a time that suits you best.
- Zaanse Schans - 10:00 AM: Arrive at The Zaanse Schans, a unique area where residents live and work, featuring museums, windmills, shops, and traditional crafts. This site offers a wonderful glimpse into the Zaanstreek of the 18th…
- Amsterdam - 9:30 AM: Begin the day with a pick-up from your hotel in Amsterdam, or at a time that suits you best.
- Zaanse Schans - 10:00 AM: Arrive at The Zaanse Schans, a unique area where residents live and work, featuring museums, windmills, shops, and traditional crafts. This site offers a wonderful glimpse into the Zaanstreek of the 18th and 19th centuries. Strolling among the traditional wooden houses, warehouses, and windmills, you’ll feel transported to a bygone era. Walk along the dike by the river Zaan and admire the view of several industrial windmills. With a background in windmills, the guide can share extensive knowledge about them.
- Molen De Kat - 10:15 AM: Visit “De Kat,” the world’s last remaining paint mill, originally constructed in 1781. This octagonal mill features a rotating cap and external gallery. Since its restoration and partial reconstruction in 1960, it has been equipped to grind coloring materials as pigments. After an explanation of the windmill’s workings, you can climb up and capture stunning photos from the external gallery.
- Zaanse Schans - 10:45 AM: Visit the chocolate shop. You might catch the scent of chocolate in the air upon entering the Zaan region. For over two centuries, this area has been the largest cocoa industry hub globally. Cocoa beans are processed and roasted here. Fancy trying some local chocolate or making your own hot chocolate from local raw cocoa powder? This is the perfect spot!
- Zaanse Schans - 11:00 AM: Cheese tasting at Henry Willig’s cheese farm, featuring Gouda and Edam cheeses. Ranked among the top 10 cheesemakers worldwide, this is a paradise for cheese enthusiasts! With 30 flavors, the cheeses are crafted specifically for travel.
- Zaanse Schans - 11:30 AM: If you’re eager to try Holland’s most famous cookie, the “Stroopwafel,” a stop at the fresh syrup waffle stand can be arranged.
- Kooijman Souvenirs & Clogs Wooden Shoe Workshop - 11:45 AM: Experience a wooden shoe craft demonstration. Ever wondered how clogs are made? Join the demonstration to find out. In the clog museum, learn all about clogs, and even try on or purchase a pair of wooden shoes!
- Amsterdam - 1:00 PM: Return to your hotel in Amsterdam.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Cheese Tasting
- Entrance ticket to a windmill
- Licensed Tour Guide/Driver
- Parking fees
- Bottle of water
- Private transportation
- Cheese Tasting
- Entrance ticket to a windmill
- Licensed Tour Guide/Driver
- Parking fees
- Bottle of water
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Location
Amsterdam
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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1 star
Donelse
Jun 7, 2026
Windmillgirls takes us to Zaanse - a wonderful trip - We had a half day tour with WindmillGirls - a great outfit. The vehicle was very comfortable, pick up right on time. Zannse and Edam were lovely and very interesting. Our one recommendation is to turn the cheese tasting into a session explaining the cheese making process, the industry in the Nethderlands etc. - more time in Edam would be nice as well. Esther was very friendly, informative, and knows everyone along the way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidhy7084qf
May 31, 2026
I was on the fence about doing this trip and I'm so glad we did it! Our whole group loved it! - This experience exceeded my expectations in every way. I was on the fence about dedicating a half day to this tour when there so much to do in Amsterdam. I can tell you doing this trip with Esther was well worth it. It was wonderful.
Zaanse Schans is worth the visit regardless how you do it. Its beautiful and quaint and really gives the picture of the rural farming culture from the past. But if you're going to do it, do it i highly recommend doing it with Esther. She really mades it an elevated experience for us. And I suggest going early.
The 'private tour' with Esther gives you unique access to the local vendors and private demonstrations. It can get quite crowded as the day progresses so having private access and 'skip the line' is worth it. Plus, Esther grew up in the area and really makes it personal. She knows the shop owners and windmill factory millers on a personal level, so it takes the 'private tour' to a different level. We had a 15-minute personal conversation with two of the longest tenured Millers in the area and they were delightful. It was like stepping into a movie scene.
Everything was first class. We were a group of 8. They picked us up at our Amsterdam hotel in one vehicle. It couldn't have been easier. Esther took us to the best spots, curated a perfect experience for us, and even showed us pictures of the windmill home that she grew up in, in a nearby village. It was wonderful and well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeanette_p
Oct 19, 2025
Great personalized half-day tour of Zaanse Schans - Really enjoyed our half-day private tour of Zaanse Schans with our tour guide Esther! Comfortable car and knowledgeable, friendly guide. Walked around the pretty village. Saw windmills, a clog-making demonstration, a cheese-making demonstration, and tasted many types of delicious Dutch cheeses in the cheese shop. The personal touch of having a private tour made this extra special. Highly recommend!
❤️1
Review provided by Viator
Ziadt47
Oct 2, 2025
Great guide, Esther. Very pleasant and knowledgeable. I highly recommend it. She never rushes you witu plenty of time for sampl - Great tour with a great guide. Esther was very knowledgeable and very kind. She took time amd explained everything in details and I have to say we learned more history than expected. We were never rushed and had plenty of time for sampling and pictures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carmarosa1980
Mar 20, 2025
Wonderful personalized tour! - Esther was a wonderful guide and made the whole experience so special. Growing up in a windmill herself she was a wealth of knowledge and had many personal stories that made Zaanse Schans so much more than just a tourist attraction!
She was fantastic with our 2 children ages 8 and 11 and kept them engaged the entire tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curiosity298861
Mar 10, 2025
Relaxing, beautiful, and informative. - Tour guide was VERY knowledgeable about the history and of sights visited. Very personable and had her own props to explain the history of the area. She was punctual and very courteous.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amie
Feb 26, 2025
Well Worth It - I had a wonderful day with Esther. She tailored the visit to my interests and I got to see exactly what I was interested in. She was so kind and friendly and great at answering questions. A very pleasant day and a wonderful way to get to know the area. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jokevx4845yt
Jan 5, 2025
The way to discover the Zaanse Schans is a tour with Esther, a real miller's daughter! - What a wonderful day we had with Esther! The wheather was grey but Esther still let the sun shine.
She effortlessly sensed what we liked and told wonderful stories in excellent Englisch about the Zaanse Schans and Dutch life at that time.
Esther, thank you for a wonderful tour, we enjoyed your knowledge and humor.
We will definitely recommend you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nick_h
Oct 16, 2024
Delightful experience - This was the best tour! Our guide was the absolute best! We had a great half day sightseeing and learned so much about the area.
Review provided by Viator
Paulsf8233qy
Sep 29, 2024
Amsterdam - Windmillgirls tours - The tour was exceptional with our wonderful guide Esther whose knowledge was first class.
We would highly recommend doing this half day tour with the Windmillgirls.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
