Amsterdam is a great base for exploring the Dutch countryside, famous worldwide for its windmills, fishing villages, and tulip fields (in spring).
During theholidays in Amsterdam, a day trip allows you to see a different, slower, and more traditional Netherlands. This guide covers the two most famous excursions:Zaanse Schans(historic windmills) andVolendam(fishing village in traditional costume), with transport options and tips for pairing them.
Why Take a Trip Outside Amsterdam
The city is magnificent, but the Dutch countryside offers a fascinating contrast: green meadows dotted with cows, narrow canals, windmills still grinding spices, and villages where traditional clothing is still worn (at least for tourists). The distances are short: in less than an hour you can be immersed in a postcard landscape.
Zaanse Schans: The Windmill Village
Zaanse Schansis an open-air museum village located just 15-20 km northwest of Amsterdam, along the Zaan River. It is not an original village (many buildings were moved here from the 1960s to preserve them), but it offers a faithful reconstruction of a typical Dutch landscape from the 18th and 19th centuries, with functioning windmills, green wooden houses, a shipyard, and craft workshops.
What to See and Do
Windmills (molens):about ten windmills, some of which are open to the public. You can go inside, see the huge wooden gears, and discover their function: grinding spices (pepper, nutmeg), sawing wood, producing seed oil, grinding grain. The entrance ticket to the individual windmills is separate (a few euros).
Spice Mill “De Huisman” (the most famous).
Green wooden houses (Zaanse huisjes):characteristic houses painted dark green, with pointed arch windows. Some are private residences, others are craft shops.
Craft workshops:demonstrations of:
Cheese factory:production of Gouda and Edam cheese (free tastings).
Cobbler:wooden shoe (klompen) making – you can see the lathe and buy souvenir clogs.
Miller:explanation of how the mill works.
Blacksmith and cooper (barrel maker).
Butchery and Bread Museum(small paid museums).
Walk along the Zaan River:view of the windmills reflecting in the water.
How Much Time is Needed
Quick visit (only outside windmills and shops):1.5-2 hours.
Complete visit (including entry to 2-3 windmills + workshops):3-4 hours.
How to Get There from Amsterdam
Train + bus (faster):from Amsterdam Central Station, take a train toZaandijk Zaanse Schans(direction Uitgeest or Alkmaar, 15 minutes by train, frequency every 15-20 minutes). At the station, follow the pedestrian signs (10-15 minutes on foot) or take the bus (line 391) to a stop.
Direct bus (line 391):from Amsterdam Central Station (IJ side, bus stop) departs every 30 minutes (duration 40-45 minutes). Convenient but slower than the train.
Organized tour (by bus):many agencies offer half-day (4-5 hours) trips to Zaanse Schans, often combined with Volendam. Convenient but less flexible.
Volendam: The Fishermen's Village in Costume
Volendamis a former fishing village on the Markermeer (a freshwater lake), about 20 km northeast of Amsterdam. Famous for its colorful houses, picturesque harbor, and residents who still wear traditional costumes (actually only for tourists and on special occasions). It is very touristy, but retains a retro charm.
What to See and Do
Walk along the waterfront (Haven):rows of wooden houses painted green, blue, red, white. Fishing boats moored.
Photos in traditional costume:many photography shops offer the service of dressing in Volendam costume (long dress, lace cap) and being photographed. It’s a kitschy but fun activity.
Cheese Factory Volendam:cheese shop with tasting (unlimited samples). Vacuum-packed cheeses can be purchased.
Volendam Museum (Volendams Museum):history of the village, costumes, model boats, naive painting (the art of Volendam, with bright colors). Small but interesting.
Smoked fish (smoked eel):local specialty: smoked eel, served on a sandwich or on its own.
Boat tour on the Markermeer:from April to October, frequent departures for a 30-45 minute tour (view of the lake and the nearby village of Marken).
How Much Time is Needed
Quick visit (just the port and cheese):1-1.5 hours.
Full visit (with museum, costume, boat):3-4 hours.
How to Get There from Amsterdam
Direct bus (line 316):from Amsterdam Central Station (IJ side, bus stop) every 15-30 minutes. Duration 30-35 minutes. Get off atVolendam-Centrum.
Bus 316 + transfer in Edam:less common. The direct route is the best.
Organized tour:almost always combined with Zaanse Schans and/or the village of Marken.
Combining Zaanse Schans and Volendam in the Same Day
It is possible, but intense. There are two ways:
Organized tour (half-day or full day):bus departing from Amsterdam, visiting Zaanse Schans in the morning and Volendam in the afternoon, often with stops at the cheese factory and the clog workshop. Convenient, prices around 40-60 euros per person (excluding entrance fees and lunch).
Do it yourself (using public transport):morning at Zaanse Schans (train + bus), return to Amsterdam, then bus 316 to Volendam. The time lost in transit (about 1.5 hours total) can make the day very long. Better to dedicate a full day to Zaanse (half) and another to Volendam.
Other Tips
Best time to visit:spring (April-May) for tulips in the fields (the Keukenhof garden is another excursion, not included here). Summer for the mild weather. Autumn for the colors. Winter for the Christmas villages (fewer tourists).
What to bring:comfortable shoes, umbrella (sudden rain showers are common even in the countryside), camera.
Food:in Volendam, try the smoked eel (paling) or the fries at the harbor. In Zaanse Schans, fresh cheese or a slice of cake at the windmill.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Zaanse Schans and the Village of Volendam
What is the difference between Zaanse Schans and Kinderdijk?
Zaanse Schansis a museum village with windmills, green houses, and craft workshops (cheese, clogs). It is closer to Amsterdam (20 minutes by train) and is more "artificial" (reconstructed buildings).Kinderdijk(near Rotterdam) has 19 authentic windmills in a row, a UNESCO heritage site, and is more scenic (no workshops). Kinderdijk is more spectacular for the windmills, but further away (1 hour by train + bus from Amsterdam). For a half-day trip from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is more convenient.
Can I visit Zaanse Schans and Volendam by public transport without a tour?
Yes, but not on the same day if you don't want to rush. For Zaanse: train + bus. For Volendam: direct bus 316. Tickets are purchased separately (hourly or daily GVB ticket? Note: the buses to Volendam are not GVB, but EBS; a single ride costs a few euros).
Do the windmills of Zaanse Schans still operate?
Yes, some are still operational and produce oil, spices, or sawn timber. The blades turn when there is enough wind (not every day). You can go inside some of them (ticket required).
How much does it cost to enter Zaanse Schans?
Access to the village isfree. You only pay to enter the windmills (about 3-5 euros each), the museums (e.g., sawmill) or for the demonstration workshops. Parking for cars is paid.
Is traditional costume mandatory in Volendam?
Absolutely not. It is an optional (and paid) tourist activity. Most tourists just walk around and take pictures of the houses. People in costume are only found in photography shops or during events.
What can I buy as a souvenir in Zaanse Schans?
Cheese (Gouda, Edam), miniature wooden clogs (klompen), Delft ceramics, stroopwafels, chocolate, t-shirts with windmills. Prices are higher than in Amsterdam, but the selection is wide.
Zaanse Schans and the Village of Volendam
Excursions from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Volendam offer a fascinating glimpse into traditional Holland, made up of windmills, wooden clogs, cheese, and painted houses. Whether you choose to organize yourself or join a tour, a day out of the city will provide unforgettable photos and a refreshing contrast. During yourholidays in Amsterdam, take the time to cross the canals and discover the rural heart of the Netherlands.
To plan every aspect of your trip to the Dutch capital and your excursions, read our complete guide to Amsterdam.
Review date:November 15, 2025