Zaanse Schans

Where it is & how to get there

• From Amsterdam: About 20 minutes by train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, then a 15-minute walk.
• Bus: Bus 391 runs from Amsterdam Centraal.
• Card: The Zaanse Schans Card covers several mills and museums.

The story of Zaanse Schans

The Zaan region was once one of the world's first industrial areas, with hundreds of windmills sawing wood and grinding spices, oil and paint. Zaanse Schans preserves historic mills and houses moved here from across the area.

Visitors can climb inside working windmills, watch clog-making and cheese-making demonstrations, and visit small museums about Dutch crafts.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Go early before the tour buses.
• Climb inside a working windmill.
• Watch clog-making at the wooden shoe workshop.

What's around Zaanse Schans

• Zaans MuseumRegional history museum.
• Clog workshopWooden shoe demonstrations.
• ZaandamTown with colourful hotel.
• Amsterdam20 minutes by train.

Questions travellers ask