Discover the Zaan region with Juvat Westendorp & LOOOK

9 July 2026 | Nienke Aussems | |

Sometimes you only really get to know a region when you listen carefully.

Most visitors set off with a map or a list of places of interest. But the best stories are often not found on an information board. That’s precisely why I’m so excited about the new audio tour of the Zaanstreek. As you walk or cycle, actor Juvat Westendorp takes you on a journey through the history, the special places and the stories that make this region so unique.

As a city marketer and a resident of the Zaanstreek, I see every day just how many stories lie behind our villages, windmills and monuments. Yet I also notice that many people – both visitors and residents – are far from knowing everything. This audio tour brings those stories to life in an accessible way.

The Zaan region through the eyes of Juvat

Juvat Westendorp tells the stories as if you were out and about with him. Not just a list of dates, but vivid tales that bring the area to life.

Along the way, you’ll discover how the Zaan region developed into one of Europe’s first industrial areas. You’ll learn why cocoa, biscuits, mustard and chocolate became so important to the region and what role the windmills played in this.

Along the Zaan

The route takes you along the River Zaan, from Wormerveer to Zaandam. Along the way, you’ll pass historic warehouses, characteristic neighbourhoods, monuments and places where history is still visible.

At each location, Juvat explains what used to happen there and why the place is still special today. It will make you see the area in a whole new light.

It’s also great if you live here

Local residents, in particular, will be pleasantly surprised time and again. How often do you cycle past the same street or the same monument without knowing the story behind it?

During the tour, you’ll discover all sorts of interesting facts about places you may have known for years. That makes the audio tour not only enjoyable for visitors, but also for locals who want to rediscover their own neighbourhood.

Set off whenever you like

You decide where to start and how long you’ll be out and about. Go for a leisurely walk, hop on your bike or listen to one or more stories as you go. The audio tour picks up right where you are, bringing history to life all around you.

At Zaans.nl, we’re keen to show that the Zaan region is much more than just its famous windmills. It’s the stories behind the buildings, the water and the industry that make this region so special.

This audio tour lets you experience the region in a different way. Not just by looking, but above all by listening. There’s a good chance you’ll discover places along the way that you’ll never pass by without a second thought from now on.

Enjoy your walk and the audio guide!