The Gortershoek in Zaandijk is the pretty little neighbourhood on the other side of the Zaanse Schans. Here, on the Lagedijk, you will find the famous green Zaan wooden houses with curly gables, sturdy merchant houses with pretty gardens and romantic vistas to the Zaan. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the most beautiful parts of the Zaan region. Not for nothing does this old part of Zaandijk have the status of Protected Village Area. Enormously entry-friendly, then!

The Golden Bend

Did you know that in the Zaanstreek, just like in Amsterdam, we have our own golden bend? Near the Tuinstraat, the Lagedijk makes a sharp turn and this part is the only real Zaan "Golden Bend". This was once where the wealthy Zaan families lived and you can see this in the beautiful monumental buildings on this part of the Lagedijk.

Along the Lagedijk

Inextricably linked to the Lagedijk is of course the stately Weaving House with the Sculpture Garden with its sandstone statues and the Tea House. But also the old town hall where you may have attended a wedding or even got married yourself?

Time seems to have stood still here. A protected village sight, in other words. But that does not mean that nothing has changed here over the years, because in Gortershoek you will find great places to eat and drink!

Food & drinks on the Lagedijk

So when it comes to good food and drink, you can indulge in the Gortershoek. At café slash restaurant Slager aan de Schans, opposite molen de Bleeke Dood, you can start the weekend with a Friday afternoon drink every first Friday of the month.

On the other side of the crossroads you'll find Proeflokaal de Kruis and next to it Wolfsend eten & drinken with its brand-new terrace. The little square on the corner of Guisweg and Lagedijk is the place to be for coffee, lunch, a quick bite to eat or a nice beer. A great place to settle down during your walk or bike ride.

The same stretch of Lagedijk is also home to the best vegan shop in the Netherlands. People come from far and wide to Het Zaanse Bakkertje for its vegan filled cakes, cheese croissants, currant buns and other delicious sweet and savoury snacks.

Under the name The Dutch Vegan Bakery, the bakers of het Zaanse Bakkertje are working hard and are regularly developing new vegan products. Further on the Lagedijk you will find Brouwerij Hoop where, thanks to the three hundred solar panels on the roof, the HOOP and Breugem beers are brewed in a sustainable way. A special feature is that you have a good view of the brewery from the restaurant.

For those keen to learn more about the brewing process, the brewery organises regular tours and tastings. Speaking of vegan, they recently started serving a tasty vegan burger sandwich here.

Surprise along the Zaan

Once home to Klene's liquorices, the liquorice manufacturer's former warehouse is now a special place on the banks of the Zaan.

After Klene moved to Hoorn in the 1990s and the factory sites and office buildings were demolished, the warehouse was left alone. Today, after years of vacancy, the Kreatief Pakhuis is once again buzzing with activity. It offers space to various (creative) entrepreneurs but is also used as an event and meeting location with a great view of the Kalverpolder and the windmills of the Zaanse Schans.

Thanks to its unique spot, authentic atmosphere and beautiful view, this is one to remember for your next (family) party. Kreatief Pakhuis, Lagedijk 146b, Zaandijk.

Boating...

So this side of the Zaan is at least as beautiful and instagramable as the Zaanse Schans. Of course, your round of Gortershoek is not complete without a visit to the world's most famous windmills. Tip: go by boat, in this case the foot ferry. From the water, you can shoot the most beautiful pictures and have a great view of both Gortershoek and the Zaanse Zaanse Schans!

In high season, a ferry sails between the Zaan banks every day between 10 am and 5 pm. You can get on and off next to molen de Bonte Hen on the Zaanse Schans or behind the Gerrit Jan Honig lock, next to Café Van Ouds Oost-Indie in Zaandijk.

What is special is that the foot ferry sails thanks to the enthusiastic volunteers of Stichting Voetveer Zaandijk. Any profits are donated to charity. Another good reason for a return trip across the Zaan! Children up to 10 years sail for free and everyone older pays €1.00 for a single ticket.

Cocoa everywhere

Gortershoek is at one point separated by the Juliana Bridge, continues towards Koog aan de Zaan and ends where Lagedijk turns into Hoogstraat. A little way past molen De Bleeke Dood, in the heart of the Zaan cocoa area, stands one of the oldest properties in Zaandijk. A friend tipped me off to this nice little address. The ^17th-century residence has in fact been transformed into a cocoa concept store 'Smells like chocolate'.

The cosy little shop breathes cocoa and apart from chocolate, you can also buy nice gift, lifestyle and care products with cocoa and cocoa butter as a basis. I am pleasantly surprised, so it is heerlijk to browse around here. You can also go here for coffee, tea and, of course, chocolate milk. Smells like chocolate, Lagedijk 14, Zaandijk