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Van Gogh Museum
2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Van Gogh Museum

10
4.8/5
2.1k reviews
The Van Gogh Museum is located on Museumplein in Amsterdam and is a national art museum centered on Van Gogh's works, holding more than 200 of his oil paintings, hundreds of drawings, and a large number of letters exchanged between him and his brother Theo, a collection that ranks among the foremost of its kind worldwide. The origin of this collection is itself a story: after Van Gogh's death in 1890, the paintings were kept by his brother Theo; Theo passed away shortly afterward, and his widow, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, devoted her life to organizing and exhibiting these works, which had received little attention during Van Gogh's lifetime, ultimately bringing them together into this museum. The permanent exhibition lays out a clear viewing route in chronological order of creation: from the dark-toned "The Potato Eaters" of the Nuenen period in the Netherlands, to the numerous self-portraits of the Paris period, then to "The Yellow House," "The Bedroom," and "Sunflowers" of the Arles period, and finally to "Almond Blossom" and "Wheatfield with Crows" created in the last stage of his life in Saint-Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, making Van Gogh's creative trajectory over a brief ten years clear at a glance. In addition to his own works, the museum also displays paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists such as Monet, Gauguin, and Rodin, many of which were personally collected by Van Gogh and Theo at the time; in Gauguin's "The Painter of Sunflowers," the protagonist is none other than Van Gogh, the painter of sunflowers. The building itself is also worth a closer look: the main building was designed by the Dutch De Stijl architect Rietveld and opened in 1973, with exhibition galleries unfolding layer by layer around an open atrium; the oval wing designed by the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa was completed in 1999 and is dedicated to large-scale temporary exhibitions; and the all-glass entrance building opened in 2015 connects the old and new wings into one. The museum is consistently popular, with dense crowds during peak hours, so if you plan to take a close look at the permanent collection, it is recommended to allow ample visiting time.Amsterdam · 10km from Zaandam
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.Zaandam · 3.6km from downtown

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Featured Food & drink in Zaandam

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Amsterdam: Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Cheese Tour
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4.5/5
· 42 reviews
Duration: 3.5–4.5 hrs
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FromAU$ 25.74AU$ 27.1
Heineken Experience: Entry Ticket
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3.7/5
· 6 reviews· 113 booked
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Amsterdam: Bols Cocktail Experience and Cocktail Workshop
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4.8/5
· 170 reviews
Duration: 1.5–2 hrs
English
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43 consecutive positive reviews
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FromAU$ 52.62AU$ 55.39
Amsterdam Winkel 43 popular restaurant reservation service
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FromAU$ 11.69
Amsterdam Ciel Bleu viral restaurant reservation service
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FromAU$ 11.69
Amsterdam Bakers & Roasters restaurant reservation service
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FromAU$ 11.69

Featured Culture & history in Zaandam

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Exploring the Dutch countryside: Zaanse Schans windmill village + Edam + Volendam + Marken from Amsterdam
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4.8/5
· 9 reviews· 155 booked
Duration: 7 hrs
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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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FromAU$ 25.29AU$ 36.13
Go City: Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass (Discover over 40 top attractions | Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam Canal Cruise & more)
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FromAU$ 126.83
Netherlands Zaandam windmill village + Edam town + Volendam + Marken + cheese and wooden shoe workshop 1-day tour
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FromAU$ 83.84
Day Tour to Windmill Village, Volendam, and Marken from Amsterdam, Netherlands
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FromAU$ 105.09
From Amsterdam :Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Tour with Boat Cruise
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Duration: 9 hrs
English
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Zaanse Schans half-day tour from Amsterdam
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4.9/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
English
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FromAU$ 72.25

Featured Outdoor & sports in Zaandam

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Amsterdam: Countryside Bike Tour and Zaanse Schans Windmills
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromAU$ 82.35AU$ 86.69
Amsterdam: Waterland District Countryside Villages Bike Tour
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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FromAU$ 68.63AU$ 72.25
Amsterdam: Leisurely Windmill & Countryside Bike Ride
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5.0/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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Small group full day island tour to Texel from Amsterdam
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Amsterdam: Cheese Tasting, Windmill & Countryside Bike Tour
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4.8/5
· 49 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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27 consecutive positive reviews
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FromAU$ 51.03AU$ 53.72
Amsterdam: Guided Land Rover Tulip Tour
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Duration: 150 mins
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FromAU$ 152.52

Featured Day tours in Zaandam

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Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Day Tour with Hotel Pick Up in Amsterdam [Daily Departure]
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4.9/5
· 358 reviews· 1.8k booked
Duration: 7.7 hrs
English
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromAU$ 162.94
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Zaanse Schans Windmill Village and Giethoorn day tour with free boat transfer
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4.9/5
· 188 reviews· 1.1k booked
Duration: 10.4 hrs
English
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58 consecutive positive reviews
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FromAU$ 160.92AU$ 169.39
1-day tour in the Netherlands | 1-day tour to Giethoorn, windmill village and Legoland
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5.0/5
· 21 reviews· 174 booked
Duration: 9.1 hrs
English
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21 consecutive positive reviews
FromAU$ 171.73
1-day tour from Amsterdam to Giethoorn and Windmill Village with Giethoorn cruise
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FromAU$ 274.67
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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FromAU$ 162.96AU$ 171.54

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What travellers say about Zaandam

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Fi Wong3 November 2026
5.0
Very amazing experience. Many master pieces of van Goho on three floors and two pieces for Monet

Van Gogh Museum

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Tomo智🐬南宫亦月2 November 2026
5.0
A must-visit place when you come to the Netherlands, this is the museum with the most works by Van Gogh. Of course, the exhibits in the Rijksmuseum also show that the Netherlands is a very wealthy country.

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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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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Mohamed khaliel3 November 2026
5.0
A canal cruise in Amsterdam is one of those experiences that makes you fall in love with a city all over again. 🇳🇱❤️ Gliding through the peaceful canals, surrounded by charming historic houses, beautiful bridges, and reflections dancing on the water, feels like stepping into a postcard. ✨🚤 I love discovering cities from a different perspective, and Amsterdam’s canals make every moment feel magical. A simple boat ride that turns into a memory worth keeping forever

Amsterdam Canal Cruises

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SUNSHINE ONUS20 April 2025
5.0
A famous attraction that is worth visiting. Today the weather is nice and sunny, with plenty of sunshine, which is suitable for taking pictures. This is a famous windmill attraction. Along the lake path, you can enjoy various windmills, cultural landscapes and some cheese huts. Some windmills are workers and run under the action of wind. I took a lot of photos and enjoyed the picturesque windmill village.

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

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MARK MORDOVTSEV24 May 2026
5.0
The Red Light District is one of the most unique and famous areas in Amsterdam, but I recommend visiting with respect for local people and rules. The atmosphere at night is very lively and interesting, especially with the canals, lights, and historic streets. I also suggest exploring the nearby cafes and smaller streets because some of the best views and authentic Amsterdam vibes are outside the busiest tourist spots.One important thing to remember is that photography of workers behind the windows is strictly forbidden and should always be respected. Overall, this area is much more than nightlife - it is also an important historical and cultural part of Amsterdam with a very unique atmosphere.The photo was taken in the Red Light District area in Amsterdam Centrum, near the famous canals and historic streets close to Oude Kerk (Old Church). This part of the city is easy to explore on foot from Amsterdam Central Station, which is around 10-15 minutes away walking distance. The area is surrounded by narrow canals, old Dutch buildings, cafes, bars, and nightlife attractions. Evening and nighttime are the most atmospheric times for photos because the neon lights reflect beautifully on the canals and create the classic Amsterdam nightlife atmosphere.

Red Light District Amsterdam Centrum

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EmperorXi18 February 2025
4.0
It's very good! One of beautiful spots in Europe. Kind Dutch people, and everyone can speak English. Recommend for travelers

Canals of Amsterdam

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Zaandam?

Don't miss these attractions in Zaandam: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Royal Palace Amsterdam. If you like Food & drink, try Amsterdam: Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Cheese Tour. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Exploring the Dutch countryside: Zaanse Schans windmill village + Edam + Volendam + Marken from Amsterdam.

You can give Amsterdam: Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Cheese Tour and Heineken Experience: Entry Ticket 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 in the Netherlands | 1-day tour to Giethoorn, windmill village and Legoland. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 4 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Zaandam is around AUD 160.92 – AUD 274.67. 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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