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Zaanse Schans
No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Netherlands

Zaanse Schans

7.5
4.7/5
604 reviews
Zaanse Schansis a historic village built along the Zaan River. Since the 1960s, historic buildings from across the Zaan region have been relocated here, gradually forming its current appearance and recreating the scene of the Zaan region during its industrial heyday in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Zaan region was once a major industrial hub in Western Europe, where hundreds of windmills historically operated along the river simultaneously, serving industrial functions such as sawing wood, pressing oil, and grinding dyes and mustard. Today, several traditional windmills still operate along the river in Zaanse Schans, each serving different functions like sawing wood, pressing oil, and grinding dyes and mustard, with some open for visitors to explore inside. Iconic green wooden houses, warehouses, and craft workshops line the riverbank, creating a distinctively Dutch pastoral scene. The village features a clog workshop where visitors can watch the entire process of traditional clog carving; the cheese workshop showcases the craft of making Dutch cheese, with fresh products available for tasting. Additionally, traditional craft venues such as a bakery museum and a pewter casting workshop are scattered throughout. Taking a boat tour along the Zaan River is another way to experience it; with windmills slowly turning and wooden houses dotting the banks, looking back at the entire village from the water is a classic perspective of Zaanse Schans. People still live here today, and strolling through the village allows you to experience traditional Dutch industrial and craft culture while seeing a picture of a living, working historic village.Netherlands · Zaandam

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Experiences you can't miss in Netherlands

Featured Day tours in Netherlands

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Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Day Tour with Hotel Pick Up in Amsterdam [Daily Departure]
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4.9/5
· 357 reviews· 1.8k booked
Duration: 7.7 hrs
English
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100 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 101.82
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Zaanse Schans Windmill Village and Giethoorn day tour with free boat transfer
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4.9/5
· 187 reviews· 1.1k booked
Duration: 10.4 hrs
English
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57 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
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From€ 100.55€ 105.85
1-day tour to Giethoorn with luxury bus, ample free time and 1-hour cruise
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews· 64 booked
Duration: 6 hrs
English
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30% off
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Zaanse Schans windmill village + cheese factory + clogs making showcase , half-day tour from Amsterdam
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews· 55 booked
Duration: 3 hrs
English
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30% off
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From€ 15.75€ 22.5
1-day tour in the Netherlands | 1-day tour to Giethoorn, windmill village and Legoland
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5.0/5
· 21 reviews· 169 booked
Duration: 9.1 hrs
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21 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 107.32
Amsterdam Windmill Village + Legoland + Giethoorn Day Trip [Lunch and Boat Tour Included]
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4.7/5
· 506 reviews· 206 booked
Duration: 9.6 hrs
English
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49 consecutive positive reviews
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From Amsterdam: Giethoorn 1-day tour (includes 1-hour round-trip cruise)
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4.0/5
· 2 reviews· 48 booked
Duration: 5 hrs
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From€ 59.00

Featured Food & drink in Netherlands

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Amsterdam: Red Light District Pub Crawl
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Duration: 5 hrs
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Heineken Experience: Entry Ticket
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3.7/5
· 6 reviews· 113 booked
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Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam
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Amsterdam Winkel 43 popular restaurant reservation service
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From€ 7.31
Amsterdam Ciel Bleu viral restaurant reservation service
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Amsterdam: Traditional Dutch Stroopwafel Making Workshop
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Duration: 45 mins
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Featured Culture & history in Netherlands

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Dutch Resistance Museum: Entry Ticket + Audio Guide
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From€ 17.50
Amsterdam City Card - I amsterdam City Card
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4.7/5
· 12 reviews· 245 booked
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Luxury canal cruise from the Anne Frank House
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 60 mins
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Amsterdam city card: includes free admission ticket and free transportation
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5.0/5
· 10 reviews
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Featured Outdoor & sports in Netherlands

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North Caves Maastricht Underground
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Duration: 70 mins
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Amsterdam: Waterland District Countryside Villages Bike Tour
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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Amsterdam: Leisurely Windmill & Countryside Bike Ride
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5.0/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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Scheveningen Beach: 1,5-Hour Surf Experience for Adults
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4.7/5
· 19 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Scheveningen Full-day Surfing with Lunch
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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Fort St. Pieter Maastricht Underground
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Small group full day island tour to Texel from Amsterdam
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Amsterdam: Private Bubble Football Game
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Duration: 30–60 mins
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What travellers say about Netherlands

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Anonymous user21 October 2026
5.0
The museum was beautiful and very interesting. I really enjoyed the visit and loved the overall experience. Highly recommended!

Van Gogh Museum

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_TI***7921 October 2026
5.0
The museum was beautiful and very interesting. I really enjoyed the visit and loved the overall experience. Highly recommended!

Rijksmuseum

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_TI***hq26 July 2026
5.0
The place is beautiful and the whole experience with audio book is amazing. It usually takes around 1 hour and 30 min to see the palace thoroughly. The staff was amazing and the place was tidy and really capturing

Royal Palace Amsterdam

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luana5 August 2026
5.0
I traveled to a city specifically for a painting. I went to The Hague just to see the masterpiece, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," in person. Compared to large museums, I personally prefer this art gallery; it's small, exquisite, and fulfilling, leaving a deep and unforgettable impression.

Mauritshuis Museum

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IanW2222 October 2026
5.0
I went to keukenhof with my girlfriend as we love a gardens, scenary and flowers with my girlfriends favourites being tulips, this place certainly didn't disappoint. Beautiful areas with plenty to see. Tickets were purchased with no issues, there's several food places and a large cafe and souvenir shop. I had planned on proposing to my girlfriend here and found the perfect spot with someone able to capture the moment on camera for us. Fortunately she said yes! We will definitely be coming back here as there are so many different types of flowers and plants to see.

Keukenhof

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YoYo_0T9A3B0L1 May 2026
5.0
Giethoorn truly resembles a fairytale town, with more waterways than roads, and small boats moored in front of every house. Low houses with reed-roofed roofs line the waterways, their gardens meticulously manicured. Renting a boat and rowing yourself is the most relaxing way to experience it, slowly gliding under small bridges, with meadows and wild ducks on either side. The main street is somewhat commercialized, but turning into the side streets brings tranquility, with only the sound of oars paddling through the water. It's best to visit on a sunny day; the slippery roads can be quite inconvenient on rainy days.

Giethoorn

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Maddie913 October 2026
5.0
An amazing experience. Something I have been meaning to go to for years but could never get tickets. Definitely worth doing and experiencing.Tips: book the half hour pre talk before, even if you know all about Anne Frank, it is definitely worth it to set the scene before the tour

Anne Frank House

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_TI***jo7 October 2026
5.0
Job was a great tour guide down the canals of Amsterdam, he had lots of area knowledge and a terrific personality! We picked up at the Anne Frank House location and it was easy to find. We highly recommend Flagship Cruise

Amsterdam Canal Cruises

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Mohamed khaliel26 October 2026
5.0
Zaanse Schans feels like stepping into a postcard, where traditional Dutch windmills, charming green wooden houses, and peaceful canals create a truly magical atmosphere! 🇳🇱🌷✨ This beautiful village captures the timeless charm of the Netherlands and offers a glimpse into its rich heritage. A perfect destination for slow travel, stunning photography, and unforgettable memories! 💚 Would you love to experience this Dutch fairytale in person?

Zaanse Schans

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Viana’s Journey11 August 2026
5.0
Few small activities you can actually participate in after the guided tour such as karaoke while cycling, selfie corner (you can have the soft copy). We’ve given an extra glass of beer for tasting experience (in total, we’ve gotten 3 glass of beer for one person)

Heineken Experience

Trip Moments in Netherlands

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Netherlands?

Don't miss these attractions in Netherlands: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Royal Palace Amsterdam. If you like Day tours, try Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Day Tour with Hotel Pick Up in Amsterdam [Daily Departure]. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Restaurant reservation service for the popular Ron Gastrobar in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

You can give Restaurant reservation service for the popular Ron Gastrobar in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Amsterdam: Red Light District Pub Crawl a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Day Tour with Hotel Pick Up in Amsterdam [Daily Departure], Amsterdam, Netherlands: Zaanse Schans Windmill Village and Giethoorn day tour with free boat transfer, and 1-day tour to Giethoorn with luxury bus, ample free time and 1-hour cruise. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 3 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Netherlands is around EUR 15.75 – EUR 107.32. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.