Zaanse Schans: Discover mills, crafts & history
-
Zaanse Schans
A unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops.
The Zaanse Zaanse Schans is a unique piece of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops, where you can imagine yourself in 18th and 19th century Holland.
See how a sawmill works, look over the shoulder of a weaver or make your own chocolate. Together with museums such as the Zaans Museum and the Verkade Experience, the stories of Zaanse history are brought to life.
Combined with a walking, boating or cycling tour, you can make it a fun day out or weekend trip. For example, also discover old Zaandijk full of historic merchant houses on the other side of the water.
Oud-Zaandijk Walking Route
Across the water from the famous Zaanse Schans lies the charming village of Oud-Zaandijk. In this distinctive part of the Zaan region, you can stroll past beautiful mansions, authentic Zaan-style cottages and historic streets full of charm. With our walking route, you can discover the most beautiful spots in Oud-Zaandijk at your own pace and experience the unique atmosphere of this special part of the Zaan region.
Read more about the route
Tickets
One ticket for all mills and museums
Visitors to the Zaanse Zaanse Schans can gain access to all mills and museums in the area with a single ticket. The Zaanse Zaanse Schans itself remains freely accessible, but with this ticket you can make the most of your visit.
An admission ticket costs €29.50 for adults and €20.00 for children aged 4-17. Tickets are available both online and at the entrances at Zaanse Schans .
Visitors in possession of a Museum Card, a VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, an I amsterdam City Card, an ICOM card or are members of Vereniging de Zaansche Molen, Vereniging Rembrandt, KVN or Vriend van het Zaans Museum can continue to visit the Zaanse Schans and its museums and mills on a regular basis.
The admission ticket gives you access to all open mills, the Mill Museum, the Zaans Museum, the Wevershuis, the Kuiperij, Museum Zaanse Tijd and the renovated period room on the Kalverringdijk. This ticket also gives you free use of the toilets and the audio tour at both the Zaanse Schans and the Zaans Museum.
For those who prefer to visit only one or a few locations, it is also possible to buy separate tickets for the museums, mills and heritage sites.
Tips from the locals - The best places and initiatives to discover!
Travelling to the Zaanse Schans by bus
With the MeerPlus & Zaanse Schans Combination Ticket, you can combine your coach journey with entry to various museums and windmills. You’ll travel on route 800, the Zaanse Schans Express, directly to the Zaanse Schans.
The ticket includes admission to, amongst other things, the Zaans Museum, Museum Zaanse Tijd, the Windmill Museum and two open windmills of your choice.
Prices from €18.00. View the current prices, terms and conditions, and exactly what’s included with MeerPlus.
Buy bus tickets
Frequently asked questions - Everything you need to know about the Zaanse Schans
By train
Travel to Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans station. From the station, it’s about a 10- to 15-minute walk to the Zaanse Schans.
By bus
From Amsterdam Central Station, bus 391 runs directly to the Zaanse Schans. The bus stop is a short walk from the site.
By car
Set your sat-nav to Schansend 7, Zaandam. There is an official car park at the Zaanse Schans (paid parking).
By bike
The Zaanse Schans is easily accessible via various cycle routes through the Zaan region. Bicycle parking facilities are available.
No, you don’t need to buy a ticket to visit the Zaanse Schans . The area itself is freely accessible and you can stroll around the historic houses, windmills and heritage sites for free.
You do need an admission ticket for a number of windmills, museums and attractions at the Zaanse Schans . Would you like to visit several locations? If so, you can opt for the Zaanse Schans Card. This card gives you access to all participating windmills and museums at the Zaanse Schans.
How long you need to spend at the Zaanse Schans depends on what you want to see, but on average, visitors allow 2 to 4 hours for their visit.
Would you just like to wander around, take photos and look at the windmills from the outside? Then 1½ to 2 hours is usually enough. Are you also visiting one or more windmills, museums or craft workshops? Then allow half a day (3 to 5 hours).
Would you like to explore everything at your leisure, including lunch or visits to several locations with the Zaanse Schans Card? Then feel free to set aside a whole day for it.
Tip: Come early in the morning or later in the afternoon for a quieter experience and lovely light for photos.
The Zaanse Schans can easily be combined with other great places in the Zaan region. Got some time to spare? Why not make a day of it and explore more of the surrounding area?
Why not visit the centre of Zaandam for its shops, restaurants and characteristic architecture? Prefer to get out into nature? Explore the peat meadow area around Wormer or go for a walk along the River Zaan. The historic villages of Wormerveer, Krommenie and Westzaan are also well worth a visit if you’d like to see more of the region.
For families, there are also various activities and routes in the region that tie in well with a visit to the Zaanse Schans.
Tip: don’t just set aside time for the windmills – make sure to explore the surrounding area too. That way, you’ll discover that the Zaan region is much more than just the Zaanse Schans.