Day Trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans: Holland Windmills

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Netherlands

Windmills are a quintessential icon of the Netherlands, and they definitely cannot be missed! There are a few places you can see the windmills, but we decided to go to Zaanse Schans, which is about a 30-minute bus ride from Amsterdam. If you are staying in Amsterdam and are looking for an easy, fun day trip, keep reading for my Zaanse Schans travel guide!

Save this Post to Pinterest!Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Netherlands

Getting to Zaanse Schans

We took a Conexxion R-Net 891 bus from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Zaanse Schans. That bus only runs in the summer and over Christmas, but there is also a 391 bus that runs all year. The bus takes you right to where you need to go.

There is also a train that goes from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans. Once you get off at the Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans station you’ll have to walk about 15 minutes.

Arriving in Zaanse Schans

For a spectacular view over Zaanse Schans and all the windmills, climb up the watchtower. Entering Zaanse Schans is free, and there is a lot to see!

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Pannenkoeken

There is a pancake (pannenkoeken) restaurant in Zaanse Schans, and it is really good! There are lots of varieties to choose from, and you can really never have too much pannenkoeken when you’re in the Netherlands.

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Windmills

There are about a dozen windmills in Zaanse Schans, half of which are working windmills. The first one is a spice mill, and it is free to enter. There is also a paint mill, cocoa mill, oil mill, wood mill and more! Besides the spice mill, there is a fee to enter most of the windmills.

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Village

The little village in Zaanse Schans is so cute. Could you imagine actually living here?? I love these buildings! This is a fun place just to wander around and explore.

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Clog Museum

Now that we’ve seen the windmills, it’s onto the clogs! The wooden shoe museum is free to enter, and it is super interesting. There are tons of clogs on display, even special wedding clogs! They also have demonstrations where someone shows the process of making a pair of clogs, which is super interesting to watch.

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

Zaanse Schans is such an adorable little village. I highly recommend visiting, especially since it’s such an easy and quick day trip from Amsterdam. If you are planning a visit to the Netherlands, save this Zaanse Schans travel guide for later!Taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Netherlands

Check out these posts next:

How to Spend One Day in Amsterdam

How to Spend One Day in Rotterdam

Taking a Day Trip to Malmö, Sweden

Visiting the Tulip Festival Near Vancouver

xo,
Andrea

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16 Replies to “Day Trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans: Holland Windmills”

  1. Ooh! Now I know what I am doing next weekend! I never think of going to the Netherlands, which is silly because I live in Belgium, but windmills, pannekoeken and clogs definitely are up my street. Thanks for the discovery!

    1. Oh you must go, you’re so close! I’d love to go to Belgium, it seems like such a cute place!

  2. I need to get back to Europe asap! Its so far from Aus but I really miss it! Will put this on the list when we come back!

    1. Yes definitely! I hope to get to Australia one day!

  3. The windmills are so kitschy! Great photos. I wish I would have seen this when I was in the Netherlands! I guess this is my hint it’s time to plan another trip there… pinned for later!

    1. Thank you! This is definitely a good reason to plan another visit to the Netherlands! 🙂

  4. Windmills, pancakes and clogs sounds like the quintessential Netherlands bucket list! What a lovely day out…it’s another trip added to my list!

    Hannah | https://getlost.blog/

    1. Right?? It’s the perfect combination! 🙂

  5. Haha how cute and fun they have a clog museum! Your pics are stunning!

    1. Thank you so much! And I know, it was so adorable and informative!

  6. I feel like you can’t get more quintessentially Holland than windmills and clogs – both of which you covered here with Zannse Schans! What a charming destination.

    1. So true! It was such a fun experience!

  7. I was recently in Holland and had the Zannse Schans on the top of my list! It’s an absolutely beautiful place – you captured it wonderfully in your post!

    1. Thank you! I’m so glad I made it there!

  8. I can’t get over the charm of the Netherlands! I went to Amsterdam about a year ago and I really want to explore more of the Netherlands now 🙂

    1. There is so much to see! Such a beautiful country 🙂

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