Zaanse Schans and Zaandijk: old windmills, chocolate & brewery

5 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

Step outside Amsterdam and discover the traditional side of the Netherlands at Zaanse Schans.

This private tour is perfect if you want to experience classic Dutch landscapes, historic windmills, and local craftsmanship just a short journey from the city. We’ll meet at Stationsplein and travel directly to Zaanse Schans, where you’ll explore iconic windmills — each with a different purpose, from oil and sawmills to spice grinding — along with traditional green wooden houses that show what life in this region looked like centuries ago.

Along the way, we’ll visit a cheese shop for tastings of authentic Dutch cheeses and step inside a workshop to see how traditional wooden shoes are made. There will also be time for souvenir shopping and enjoying the scenic surroundings before heading back to Amsterdam.

At the end, we’ll visit a local brewery to enjoy fresh beer.

A relaxed and cultural experience designed to show you a different, more traditional side of the Netherlands beyond the city.

What's Included

1 fresh hot chocolate milk per person
Tickets for public transport are included
Private guide
1 beer per person
Ticket to the windmill is included
Cheese shop visit
Private tour - only you and your local tour guide

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Loetje

In front of Cafe Loetje Centraal. Stationsplein 10, 1012 AB Amsterdam.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1
    Amsterdam Centraal

    Amsterdam Central Station is a striking historic building sitting on artificial islands along the water. Designed in a grand 19th-century style, it serves as the main entrance to the city for millions of visitors arriving every year.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Zaandijk is a small, cozy town on the river Zaan, known for its wooden houses and old industrial charm. Nearby factories sometimes fill the air with the smell of chocolate and cocoa, while traditional windmills stand just across the water.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Zaanse Schans

    Zaanse Schans is one of the most iconic Dutch heritage areas, where traditional windmills, wooden houses, and old workshops are preserved to show what life in the Netherlands looked like in past centuries. Today, it’s a living open-air museum where you can explore windmills, cheese making, clogs, and classic Dutch craftsmanship.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Molen De Kat

    De Kat windmill is a unique 18th-century paint mill where wind energy is still used to grind natural pigments into paint. It’s the only working windmill of its kind in the world, and visiting inside gives you a real look at traditional Dutch craftsmanship in action.

    20 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 5

    Brouwerij HOOP is a local craft brewery in Zaandijk, where you can relax after the tour and enjoy a freshly brewed Dutch beer.

    40 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Amsterdam With Me

Tags

Day Trips
Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Rail Tours
Walking Tours
Spring Break
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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