Zaanse Schans is one of the most famous and popular tourist attractions in the Netherlands. Every year around 1.9 million visitors come and marvel at the open-air museum with its historic and traditional windmills, picturesque landscape, wooden houses, green pastures and old workshops. Most attractions and activities on site can be visited free of charge. The Zaanse Schans is open all year round and a tour takes about 2-4 hours.
The Zaanse Schans is just a stone’s throw from Amsterdam and is easily accessible by bus, train, car or bicycle. There is also the Zaans Museum and a wooden shoe museum here. Everything that is associated with Dutch tradition comes together here in a small space. It is definitely advisable to get there early, otherwise the place will be absolutely overcrowded around midday.
traditional crafts and workshops
Tell me more about
The best way to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam is by train. Trains run here all day and take around 15 minutes. The stop here is called Zaandijk Zaanse Schans. From here it is only a few minutes’ walk to the open-air museum.
We recommend the warm months between May and September. Pleasant climate and fewer rainy days than in March or November.
There is no entrance fee to Zaanse Schans. You can move and walk around the streets freely. You only have to pay for the museum when you visit. Tickets are best bought online and cost 29.50€ per person.
A great place for a day trip. A few hours are definitely enough. Since the place is not far from Amsterdam, it is a popular excursion destination in the region.
