Visitors to the Zaanse Schans can get a glimpse of what a Zaans village might have looked like in the 1700s and 1800s. Best of all, it’s a museum that also doubles as a place to live and work. The Zaanse region is known for its many wooden structures, such as houses, workshops, museums, and of course, a windmill row. You should definitely go!
Image: Karlijn Meulman

Sail to the Zaanse Schans
You can drive to Zaanse Schans via the conventional route. In contrast, taking a boat is significantly more pleasurable. The Zaanhopper runs on a set route between Amsterdam Central and Zaandam and Zaanse Schans every day. The entire boat trip is enjoyable, but arriving at the island is the most rewarding part of the experience. Windmills line the horizon, and the Netherlands appears much as it did in the 1800s.

Make your own chocolate
While taking a stroll among the Zaanse Schans’ windmills and streets is fun, there’s a lot more to do in the region. If you’re a fan of chocolate (and who isn’t? ), you must check out Zaans Gedaan’s CacaoLab. With the help of self-described ‘cacoanerds,’ you can make your own chocolate right here. Making chocolate is time consuming, but the reward is worth it. Naturally, the CacaoLab offers the finest chocolate from around the world for sale, as well as the opportunity to sample and drink the world’s finest chocolate milk. Fun and educational, you’ll learn a lot about chocolate you didn’t know before you go.
Location Map of Zaanse Schans
Museums in Zaanse Schans
The Zaanse Schans is home to numerous museums. These museums are all well worth visiting: the Zaans Museum, the Verkade Experiment, the Albert Heijn Museum Shop, and the Bakery Museum The Gecroonde Duyvekater’s museums are worth checking out, but only a few of them are. Zaanse Schans’ windmills are a great way to get a feel for Dutch culture. Their personalities shine through as they toil in the mills.
Cycle the chocolate off!
Want to get rid of your chocolate and cheese stash quickly? Do you want to get rid of everything at once? Then get on your bike and take a leisurely spin around the block. At the Zaanse Schans, you can rent bicycles on your own and pick up a map with numerous cycling routes. If you want to go for a walk along the Zaanse Schans, choose from one of the many available paths.
Photo Tour of Zaanse Schans Windmills Village
To experience a virtual tour of the Zaanse Schans Windmills, take a look at the stunning photos below:























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