Zaanse Schans Day Trip from Amsterdam: Windmills, Green Houses & a Little Slice of Old Holland

There are some places you visit because they are famous, and there are others that are so pretty that you find yourself stopping every few minutes just to look.

For me, De Zaanse Schans was very much the second kind. Although I will be honest I only went there because it was very famous!

I had seen photographs of its famous windmills and green wooden houses before travelling to the Netherlands, but I don’t think photographs quite prepare you for how beautiful it is in person. Quite the opposite for me – like I mentioned before I was only doing this because it is a must-do. The photos I had seen had not done any justice to this charming village! The little houses, the waterways, the windmills, the tall grasses and the reflections shimmering in the water – it felt almost unreal.

And the best part? It is only about 20–30 minutes from Amsterdam, making Zaanse Schans one of the easiest day trips you can add to an Amsterdam itinerary. The official site describes it as a historic living and working neighbourhood rather than simply an open-air museum: people still live and work here, alongside the windmills, workshops, shops and museums.

What is Zaanse Schans?

Zaanse Schans is a historic neighbourhood on the banks of the River Zaan, just outside Amsterdam.

It is essentially a beautifully preserved glimpse into traditional Dutch life, with wooden houses, barns, workshops, windmills and waterways spread across the landscape.

The area has its roots in the industrial history of the Zaan region. In the 17th and 18th centuries, hundreds of windmills operated in the area, powering activities such as sawing timber and producing oil, paint, paper, mustard and other products. Today, several historic windmills continue to operate.

And then there are those houses.

The traditional green wooden houses with white trim are perhaps what makes Zaanse Schans instantly recognisable. They look almost like they have been painted specifically for postcards.

Except that you are actually walking through a real neighbourhood.

That was one of the things I loved about Zaanse Schans. It didn’t feel like walking through a collection of static exhibits. There were houses, gardens, bridges, canals, grazing animals, workshops and people going about their day.

And everywhere you look, there is another beautiful view.

The reflections were my favourite part

I knew I wanted to see the windmills.

I knew I wanted photographs of the green houses.

But I wasn’t prepared for how much I would love the water.

There are stretches where the houses sit right beside the water, and on a calm day their colours and shapes are reflected almost perfectly on the surface.

I found myself standing there thinking, this is ridiculously beautiful.

The combination of the deep green houses, red tiled roofs, blue sky and still water is just gorgeous. Add the tall grasses and old wooden fences along the banks, and it looks like a Dutch landscape painting.

Honestly, if you are visiting Zaanse Schans, don’t just rush from one attraction to another. Walk slowly. Look across the water. Stop at the little bridges. Turn around.

Some of the prettiest views aren’t necessarily attached to a particular attraction at all.

And, of course, the windmills

You cannot come to Zaanse Schans without seeing the windmills.

The windmills are spread along the Zaan and are one of the defining features of the landscape. Several are working mills, each historically associated with a particular type of production.

There is De Kat, the famous paint mill; De Zoeker, an oil mill; Het Jonge Schaap, a sawmill; De Huisman, a spice mill; and others.

What I particularly liked is that these aren’t simply windmills sitting there for photographs. Some are still functioning, and you can actually see the machinery at work.

You can also pay to enter some of the windmills and see how they operate from inside. The experience varies by mill, but climbing into one gives you a much better appreciation of how these enormous structures harnessed wind power.

If you’re interested in the workings of windmills rather than simply photographing them, I’d definitely make time for one.

The official Zaanse Schans website notes that the village itself is free to enter, while individual windmills and some museums charge admission.

Don’t miss the cheese tasting

One of the stops included in my tour was a cheese factory and shop by popular Dutch Gouda cheese brand “Henri Willig”, where we learned about traditional Dutch cheese-making and, naturally, got to taste some.

And yes, there was plenty of cheese.

You can watch a demonstration of the production process and sample different varieties before deciding which ones you want to take home. The cheese-making experience is one of the traditional crafts highlighted at Zaanse Schans.

If you’re a cheese lover, this is definitely worth including.

This is also a fun opportunity to bring home some proper Dutch cheese rather than just eating it during your trip. I did not buy anything here because I had already purchased cheese from a Henri Willig store in Amsterdam on my first day exploring the city.

Then there are the famous Dutch clogs

Another fun stop is the wooden shoe workshop, where you can watch a clog-making demonstration.

I’ve seen Dutch clogs in photographs and souvenir shops, but watching them actually being made makes the whole thing much more interesting.

The workshop demonstrates how these traditional wooden shoes are produced, and you can see examples of different styles and sizes. You can even try some on.

It is one of those quintessentially Dutch experiences that feels particularly appropriate when you’re surrounded by windmills and traditional wooden houses.

How long does it take to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam?

This is one of the reasons I think Zaanse Schans is such a good addition to an Amsterdam itinerary.

It is very close to Amsterdam.

By train, Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans takes approximately 17–20 minutes, followed by about a 15-minute walk to the village.

There are also direct buses. The Zaanse Schans Express (EBS bus 800) takes around 24 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, while other bus services connect the area as well.

So, depending on the option you choose, you’re looking at roughly 30–40 minutes door-to-door from central Amsterdam, allowing for the walk or getting to your departure point.

That makes it possible to visit Zaanse Schans as a half-day trip, although I would personally allow at least 3–4 hours if you want to enjoy it rather than simply arrive, photograph a windmill and leave.

How I visited: Zaanse Schans + Giethoorn

I chose to visit Zaanse Schans as part of an organised day tour that combined it with Giethoorn.

For me, this was the easiest option because I wanted to see both places without having to work out the connections between them.

The two destinations are quite different, which made the combination particularly enjoyable.

Zaanse Schans gave me windmills, traditional Dutch architecture and the historic Zaan landscape, while Giethoorn was all about canals, little bridges and its famously peaceful village setting.

It made for a long day, but a very memorable one.

And I particularly enjoyed the road between the destinations. Once you leave Amsterdam, the scenery changes so quickly—open fields, waterways, farms, little villages and endless stretches of green countryside.

Sometimes the journey itself becomes part of the day trip.

Can you do Zaanse Schans independently?

Absolutely.

In fact, because it is so close to Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is one of the easier day trips to do without a tour.

By public transport

The easiest options are:

Train:
Amsterdam Centraal → Zaandijk Zaanse Schans → approximately 15-minute walk to the village. The train journey is around 17 minutes.

Bus:
The Zaanse Schans Express, EBS bus 800, runs from Amsterdam Centraal and takes approximately 24 minutes.

The official Zaanse Schans website actually recommends public transport because parking in and around the village is limited.

By car

You can also hire a car and drive from Amsterdam.

This gives you much more flexibility if you want to combine Zaanse Schans with several other places in the region. There is parking at Zaanse Schans, although it is paid.

For a single visit, however, I don’t think you need a car.

Public transport is straightforward enough.

What else can you combine with Zaanse Schans?

This is where things get interesting because the Amsterdam region has several picturesque towns and villages that can be combined into a longer day trip.

Zaanse Schans + Volendam + Marken

This is probably the most popular combination.

You get windmills and traditional Dutch countryside at Zaanse Schans, followed by the fishing village of Volendam and then Marken, known for its distinctive wooden houses and island setting.

There are organised tours that combine all three, often including cheese tasting and a clog demonstration.

It makes for a very classic “see the Netherlands outside Amsterdam” day.

Zaanse Schans + Edam + Volendam + Marken

If you have a full day and want to explore more of the traditional Dutch countryside, you can add Edam as well.

Edam is particularly appropriate for cheese lovers—the historic town was an important centre of cheese trading.

The wider region has excellent public transport connections, although combining several destinations independently requires more planning and can make the day quite packed.

Zaanse Schans + Giethoorn

This is the combination I chose.

It works particularly well as an organised tour because the two places aren’t as convenient to combine independently in one day.

And the contrast is lovely: windmills and industrial heritage in Zaanse Schans, canals and water in Giethoorn.

Zaanse Schans + other Old Holland villages

If you’re interested in exploring rather than ticking off attractions, you can also look at Monnickendam, Broek in Waterland and other villages in the Waterland region.

The Amsterdam Area tourism board recommends exploring this wider region for its traditional wooden houses, waterways, fishing villages and countryside.

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How much time should you spend at Zaanse Schans?

You can see the highlights in two hours.

But I wouldn’t recommend rushing.

I’d allow 3–4 hours if you’re visiting independently.

That gives you enough time to:

• Walk along the Zaan and photograph the windmills
• Explore the green wooden houses
• Visit the cheese factory and taste the cheese
• Watch the clog-making demonstration
• Enter a windmill if you want to see how it works
• Browse the little shops
• Stop for something to eat or drink
• And, importantly, simply wander around

Because the temptation at a place like this is to spend the entire time looking at your map and trying to “cover” everything.

Don’t.

Some of my favourite moments were simply walking along the water.

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Is Zaanse Schans worth visiting?

For me, 100 percent yes.

There are places that are historically fascinating, places that are culturally interesting and places that photograph beautifully.

Zaanse Schans somehow manages to be all three.

But if I’m being completely honest, it was the beauty that stayed with me.

The green houses with their white detailing.

The red tiled roofs.

The windmills standing against the sky.

The little waterways running between the houses.

The tall grasses moving in the breeze.

And those reflections in the water.

I remember looking at the reflection of those green houses in the water and thinking that it looked almost too perfect to be real.

It was one of those travel moments when you don’t particularly want to take out your phone—you just want to stand there and take it all in.

And that’s probably my biggest recommendation for Zaanse Schans:

Don’t only go for the windmills. Go for the landscape.

Take the scenic route. Walk beside the water. Look back at the houses. Notice the little details.

Because somewhere between the windmills, the green houses and their reflections, you might just find one of those places that makes you fall a little bit in love with the Netherlands.

Practical information at a glance

Where: Zaanse Schans, Zaandam, Netherlands
From Amsterdam: Approximately 20–30 minutes by direct transport
By train: Around 17–20 minutes to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans + approximately 15-minute walk
By bus: Around 24 minutes on the Zaanse Schans Express from Amsterdam Centraal
Entry to village: Free
Windmills/museums: Some require separate admission
Ideal time: 3–4 hours
Best for: Windmills, traditional Dutch architecture, photography, crafts, cheese, countryside and a taste of historic Holland.

Official Zaanse Schans visitor information