The Dutch have always been a resourceful lot and from the late 1500s onwards they set about harnessing the power of the wind that sweeps across this low-lying country by building windmills.

Visit Zaanse Schans, a village just 20 minutes from Amsterdam and features six historic windmills clustered together. These are all working windmills and have various uses. De Huisman is a mustard mill and you can explore it for free. The other windmills generally cost just €4 to enter and the highlight of them is probably Het Jonge Schaap (The Young Sheep), which is one of the sawmills that helped the Dutch gain mastery of the high seas in the 1600s.

Zaansc Schans is not all about windmills but it is also an open-air museum itself. There are about 35 historic houses, a couple of small museums and old timey craft shops.

The tour lasts three hours and there will be a guide on board the bus to give you the lay of the land and a rundown on local history. Thereafter, you’ll be able to explore Zaanse Schans at your own speed.

Additional Information

• Children under age of 4 may participate in the tour for free
• Participants of this tour are advised to wear comfortable shoes as a little walking is involved with this tour
• Please be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes prior to the departure of the tour. Late arrivals will not be able to attend the tour and will not be able to request an order modification, cancellation or refund

Operating Hours

Tour departs daily at 12:00 hrs

Departure Point

A’DAM Lookout
Overhoeksplein 5, 1031 KS, Amsterdam

What You Get

Includes

• Transport by air-conditioned bus
• Live commentary on board

Excludes

• Personal expenses
• Food and drinks
• Optional activity fees