7 Fun Things To Do In Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is one of the windmill towns in the Netherlands. It is here that you will get to see the iconic rows of old Dutch windmills turning to the tune of the wind with the picturesque countryside in the background. This is without one of the most sought after things to do in Zaanse Schans but there are many others.

It isn’t just the windmills that are gorgeous. The canals obviously add to the allure of the place and you will immediately see why the area served as inspiration for famous painters like Claude Monet.

Another similar town is Kinderdijk which is located further south. Zaanse Schans on the other hand is a short distance away from the capital city and it is super easy to get from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans.

Intriguingly enough most people come to Zaanse Schans and leave quickly. I initially thought that it was a quick stop but was surprised to find that I could easily spend half a day or more here.

There are loads of things to do in Zaanse Schans and I hate rushing so that may be why I was inclined to stay longer. The weather however turned pretty cold while we were there so we intend to head back again in summer.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclaimer for further information.

⏰ Taking a tour to Zaanse Schans? I recommend pairing it with other places. Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans Windmills from Amsterdam is my favorite combination! 📷

Things To Do In Zaanse Schans

1. Visit The Zaanse Schans Museum

The Zaanse Schans museum is without doubt one of my favorites. A friend told us not to miss it and boy was he right. The museum chronicles the history of the region. It talks about how the windmills were used to drive industries. In fact, the number of windmills that you currently see isn’t even close to the peak number that were there during the heydays.

The museum also has a very interesting exhibit on how Claude Monet was inspired by the region. You can see exactly where he stood and painted each spot on his famous paintings. Another interesting exhibit is the photography exhibit which chronicles the numerous changes in the area.

But if history is not your cup of tea, you should check out the biscuit making process where you can see how the biscuits go through the machines and are baked. There is a chocolate making section here too. Plus there is an interactive section at each where you can be a part of the process. Don’t forget to catch your free biscuit sample when you leave. Trust me, it is one of the things to do in Zaanse Schans that we loved the most!

2. Check Out The Weaver’s House

Admission Price: Adults: €3, 4 to 17 years: €1.50, Museum card: free I Amsterdam Card: free Friends Lottery VIP card: free

Once you are one with the Zaanse Schans museum, start walking towards the windmills in the distance. The first house on your left will be the Weaver’s house. Here you will see what it was like to crawl behind the loom and spin.

You can even see how people lived in their small little beds. The people working here use some of the traditional costumes of the time which adds to the authenticity of the experience. It is one of the cool things to do in Zaanse Schans aside from seeing the windmills that is.

3. See How The Wooden Shoes Were Made

Clogs of all different colors and sizes in the clog making workshop which is one of the cool things to do in Zaanse Schans.

Seen the numerous shops that sell wooden shoes? These are probably one of the most popular Dutch souvenirs. These shoes are called clogs and they are traditional Dutch footwear. In Dutch, they refer to them as klomp (Klompen is plural).

Intriguingly enough this clog shop actually makes shoes in the traditional way, using the traditional machines which is different from most of the other souvenir shops in Amsterdam. They are a variety of colors and sizes that are available. If you wouldn’t buy one to put on your feet, you may actually be interested in one on a keychain or something similar.

Don’t forget to check out the traditional machines that are used in the shoe making process.

4. Taste Different Types Of Cheese At Catherina Hoeve

Multicolored cheese at Catherina Hoeve which has cheese tasting which is one of the fun things to do in Zaanse Schans.

Visiting a Dutch town isn’t complete without trying out some Dutch cheese. The thing about shopping for cheese is that there are so many different varieties that you can try.

Walk into a shop and you will be greeted by rows of them. There will be cheese made from milk from goats, sheep, cows etc and each one has different added flavorings. Plus there is a big difference between young and old cheese.

Head to the Catherina Hoeve to see just how many varieties of cheese can be stored under one roof. Despite living here for so long I still get overwhelmed. Luckily I know that my absolute favorite is old goat cheese.

Now if you are feeling overwhelmed try out some of the cheese that is kept for tasting. This will help you pick up on what kind of Dutch cheese fits your taste buds the best.

5. Understand The Dutch Baking Process At The Gecroonde Duyvekater

Not everyone knows that the Dutch are really great at baking. Sure people know about the stroopwafels that are famous all over the city but you should try out the Dutch cakes (especially apple), the biscuits, the pies and more.

The Gecroonde Duyvekater bakery shows you all the gadgets that are used in the baking process. It’s an interesting place to visit and for me was literal paradise as I’m a foodie to the core. It isn’t a large place though so it won’t take you long. We even bought some snacks to eat while we walked around afterwards.

6. Make Your Own Hot Chocolate At The Zaans Done Cacaolab

A cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows at Zaanse Schans

One of the things to do in Zaanse Schans was to make their own chocolate. We did this at the Zaans Done Cacaolab. It’s actually a pretty easy exercise with the proportions all laid out.

The hot chocolate at the end is well worth it with a dose of marshmallows on the top. It was cold outside so this warmed everyone up. We chose to buy one of the double chocolate cookies and it was amazing. Highly recommended.

On a good day, you can take your chocolate and go sit on a bench while looking out at the scenery in the distance.

7. Take A Boat Tour To See The Windmills

Now this is really one of the things to do in Zaanse Schans that you should save for good weather. The boat cruise will take you down past all the windmills and it is super scenic and nice. Make sure to wrap up warm though because the wind can always bring in a chill. Summer is the best time for this activity but note that summer also brings the crowds.

Best Tours From Amsterdam To Zaanse Schans

Okay so I’ve already talked a lot about how to get from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans in a separate post. I am however going to talk a bit about all the tours that you can take to the area. This way you can take an informed choice about whether you want to do all the things to do in Zaanse Schans on your own or if you would prefer a tour.

I personally feel that the tours are the best idea if you want to cover more than one location in a day. This is because you can make use of the tour given transportation to its fullest.

Zaanse Schans Small Group Tour

Tours to see all the things to do in Zaanse Schans

⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5 (637 Reviews) Price: $44 per person Duration: 3 hours 📍Meeting Point: Meet outside of the Hotel NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

One of the best ways to see all the things to do in Zaanse Schans is by taking one of the small group tours. This way you get individualized attention from your guide and you are not just part of one large herd.

This particularly tour takes 3 hours approximately which means you can sneak in other things to do in Amsterdam once you get back. You will get a pickup and drop right in front of the main station in the city. During the tour, you will get to enter one of the windmills.

You can climb right up and see what it was like to live in it when the windmill was being used. There is also a souvenir shop where you can get some unique souvenirs.

“This tour was well worth doing. We weren’t entirely sure what to expect but the whole thing was fantastic. Our guide (Liza I think?) Was knowledgeable, made everyone feel comfortable and was a great laugh.

The windmills were incredible, stopped to watch clog making and a cheese demonstration. Such a beautiful area, its worth it even just to see the houses.”
Bethan (read more reviews now!)

After visiting the windmill, you will get to walk along the iconic Zaanse Schans route where you can click some epic photographs. Its one of those places that has inspired so many quotes on Amsterdam and the Netherlands at large. It is also the place that inspired Claude Monet! You can also why all the things to do in Zaanse Schans are so popular among people who visit the country.

Book Your Tour Now!

Combine Zaanse Schans With Other Locations

Now if you want to follow my advice and combine the things to do in Zaanse Schans with other locations, then check out these tours. They handle all the transport so it helps explore so much easier.

⏰ Taking a tour to Zaanse Schans? I recommend pairing it with other places. Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans Windmills from Amsterdam is my favorite combination! 📷

So that was all about the things to do in Zaanse Schans in a nutshell. What was your favorite activity? For me it was walking with a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. The views are incredible and the chocolate is delicious.