Nestled along the river Zaan, Zaanse Schans whisks you back to an 18th-century Dutch village with charming windmills, artisan workshops, and delicious local cheeses.
Zaandam, Netherlands Get directions
"Sure, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s filled with kitschy stereotypes. But this replica of a Zaanse village is worth visiting just to see how wooden clogs, pewter jewelry, artisanal cheese, and Dutch gin (jenever) were made in the 17th and18th centuries. The free outdoor museum was created by relocating houses, windmills, storehouses, and barns to showcase the traditional crafts and lifestyles of people who lived in Holland long before sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll entered the picture.From late March to September, boat tours offer views of ancient houses and windmills. Bikes can be rented at Zaanse Schans Bike Rent. A cycling path leads past merchants’ mansions in Zaandijk, the pretty village of Haaldersbroek, and Zaandam city center. From Amsterdam Central, take the Sprinter to Koog-Zaandijk, a 20-minute trip. Follow the signs to Zaanse Schans, a roughly one-mile walk." - MATADOR_NETWORK
"Turning Back Time at Zaanse Schans On the banks of the river Zaan, time stopped three centuries ago at Zaanse Schans. In this recreation of a Dutch village in the 17th–18th centuries, stroll down streets lined with typical green wooden houses, manicured gardens and graceful bridges. Poke into tradesmen's workshops, historic windmills and tiny boutiques. See how wooden clogs are made and watch pewter jewelry fashioned before your eyes. Discover how artisanal Dutch cheese is crafted and purchase a wheel of Gouda or Edam to take home. Refuel with coffee and apple pie in one of numerous restaurants within the village. Explore a few museums and round off your visit with a boat trip on the river. Although several museums at Zaanse Schans charge for admission, there's no entry fee at the popular tourist attraction created by relocating houses, windmills, storehouses and barns to form a replica of a typical Zaanse village. Alongside clusters of windmills, characteristic wooden houses and unique shops, traditional Dutch crafts are showcased and the lifestyles of people who lived in Holland long before sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll entered the picture are revealed."
"Turning Back Time at Zaanse Schans On the banks of the river Zaan, time stopped three centuries ago at Zaanse Schans. In this recreation of a Dutch village in the 17th–18th centuries, stroll down streets lined with typical green wooden houses, manicured gardens and graceful bridges. Poke into tradesmen's workshops, historic windmills and tiny boutiques. See how wooden clogs are made and watch pewter jewelry fashioned before your eyes. Discover how artisanal Dutch cheese is crafted and purchase a wheel of Gouda or Edam to take home. Refuel with coffee and apple pie in one of numerous restaurants within the village. Explore a few museums and round off your visit with a boat trip on the river. Although several museums at Zaanse Schans charge for admission, there's no entry fee at the popular tourist attraction created by relocating houses, windmills, storehouses and barns to form a replica of a typical Zaanse village. Alongside clusters of windmills, characteristic wooden houses and unique shops, traditional Dutch crafts are showcased and the lifestyles of people who lived in Holland long before sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll entered the picture are revealed."
