Trip Planner: Europe / The Netherlands / North Holland Province / Zaandam / Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans, Zaandam

4.5

#1 of 37 in Things to do in Zaandam

Must see · Specialty Museum · Museum

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At Zaanse Schans, tour a recreated historical Dutch village filled with wooden houses and iconic windmills. An important stop along the European Route of Industrial Heritage, this open-air museum hosts 900,000 tourists every year. Its 35 wooden homes were brought from surrounding villages to the museum in the 1970s. The well-preserved windmills, which have become a symbol of the Netherlands, date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and each have their own distinct names. Walk through the buildings, stop into the shops and restaurants, take a scenic boat ride, or watch traditional Dutch craft-making during your visit. Put Zaanse Schans on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Zaandam trip site.

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Zaanse Schans reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

8,431 reviews

Google

4.7

By John S

Walk around and check things out for free. Funny thing is they charge to use the toilet, which was annoying. The shoe shop was very fun, the guy demonstrated how to make a shoe...then we bought one...

Walk around and check things out for free. Funny thing is they charge to use the toilet, which was annoying. The shoe shop was very fun, the guy demonstrated how to make a shoe...then we bought one... more »
By HerbertC249

I simply love Zaanse Schans! This open-air museum depicts the typical bucolic Dutch village, complete with windmills, wooden houses, mills and barns dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries...

I simply love Zaanse Schans! This open-air museum depicts the typical bucolic Dutch village, complete with windmills, wooden houses, mills and barns dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries... more »

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By Haroon Sadiq

Very nice place. Living in Netherlands for years, i never knew about it. It's more geared towards tourists but a good find. Nice walk along the river and windmills. These are very old mills and brought here in one place long time ago. You have to pay full day parking (€8) even if you want to park for an hour or so. Lot's of tourists buses so parking could be busy. Lot's of tourists on site so might go later in afternoon. Be prepared for long payment queues for parking payment machines. There are cash and card machines. Nice souvenir shops there and staff is very friendly. They pack all souvenir nicely

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By Lily Gonzalez

Love no entry fee so it can definitely be done on a budget. It is relatively ♿ accessible many older folk enjoyed it. I have found some other tourists destinations are not as accommodating. Wish they had another proper restaurant rather than mostly snacks. I recommend arriving early so enjoy and get photo ops. It is beautiful. Bringing a picnic would also be encouraged.

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