If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam then look no further than this tiny European town just a short 20 minutes away.
Renowned for its collection of historic windmills and wooden houses, Zaanse Schans is a scenic neighbourhood in the Dutch town of Zaandam.
This windmill village on the Zaan River offers visitors a glimpse into life before the Industrial Revolution.
Eleven different windmills dot the banks of the Zaan, providing an iconic image of the old Netherlands as it once was.
The eleven different windmills in Zaanse Schans are:
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De Huisman: A spice warehouse where you can taste different spices
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De Gekroonde Poelenburg: A centuries-old wood sawmill
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De Kat: A paint mill where you can watch demonstrations
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De Zoeker: An oil, paint, and cocoa mill
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Het Jonge Schaap: A unique wood sawmill replica
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De Bonte Hen: An oil mill which has been running since 1693!
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De Os: A windmill that was later transformed into a diesel-powered mill
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Het Klaverblad: A small wood workshop mill
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De Bleeke Dood: The oldest smock mill in the Netherlands, used to mill flour
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De Ooievaar: An old oil mill that was moved to the Zaan area
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Mini-mills on the Schans: Miniature windmills that were used to pump water from the polder
The Zaan region was one of the world’s first industrial areas. Hundreds of windmills produced paint, snuff tobacco, mustard, paper, and wood processing.
As you stroll around the heritage village, you will encounter various craftsmen who still live and work in traditional settings, such as tin casting.
No trip to this historic village is complete without visiting the Zaans Museum, where you discover the region’s rich heritage. The museum tells the story of daily life in the Zaan region over the centuries.
After a day of sightseeing, you may have worked up an appetite and where better to go than a bakery dating back to 1658? Enticing you with the smell of its freshly baked Dutch treats, The Bakery Museum de Gecroonde Duyvekater, where you can indulge in chocolate, marzipan, and speculaas (a spiced shortcrust cookie).
Zaanse Schans is just a stone’s throw from Amsterdam, making it easily accessible by bus, train, car, and bicycle.
Trains from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans run every 30 minutes and take approximately 17 minutes.
Bus line 800/801 departs from Amsterdam Central Station every 15 minutes and will take you to Zaanse Schans.
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