Zaanse Schans and Zaandam: The Perfect Day Trip from Amsterdam

If you’re visiting Amsterdam and craving something a little slower, greener, and very Dutch but without committing to an overnight stay let me introduce you to Zaanse Schans and Zaandam. This day trip honestly felt like stepping into a postcard especially because we somehow lucked out with snow in early January (which is super rare here!).

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Zaanse Schans is one of those places that people either rush through or skip entirely, and I think that’s such a mistake. Paired with a quick stop in Zaandam, it makes for an easy, affordable, and incredibly scenic escape from the city perfect if you want windmills, cheese, chocolate, and Dutch architecture all in one day.

Let me walk you through exactly why you should visit, how to get there, what to do, and what it felt like to experience it.

Why Visit Zaanse Schans and Zaandam?

Think of Zaanse Schans as an open-air museum but one that’s free, lived-in, and incredibly photogenic. It’s famous for its historic windmills, wooden houses, canals, and traditional crafts, all set against a peaceful countryside backdrop just outside Amsterdam.

What makes it special is that it doesn’t feel staged. People actually live and work here. You’ll see windmills still in operation, artisans demonstrating centuries-old techniques, and shops selling things that feel genuinely tied to Dutch culture, not just mass-produced souvenirs.

Zaandam, on the other hand, is quirky and modern with a strong architectural identity. It’s most famous for the Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, which looks like a stack of green Dutch houses piled on top of each other, often described as “LEGO-like,” and honestly, that description is spot on.

Together, these two places balance traditional Netherlands and modern creativity, and the best part? They’re incredibly easy to visit from Amsterdam.

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A Little History about Zaanse Schans and Zaandam

The Zaan region was actually one of the world’s first industrial areas back in the 17th and 18th centuries. At its peak, there were over 1,000 windmills here powering industries like sawmills, oil production, cocoa processing, and paint manufacturing.

The windmills weren’t just pretty, they were the backbone of Dutch innovation and trade during the Golden Age. Zaanse Schans was created to preserve this heritage, bringing historic buildings and mills together in one area so people could experience how life once was.

Zaandam grew alongside this industrial boom and later reinvented itself with bold architecture and urban design, hence the iconic hotel and modern town centre you see today.

So when you visit, you’re not just snapping pretty photos, you’re literally walking through Dutch history.

How to Get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam

Getting to Zaanse Schans is super easy, which makes it such a perfect day trip.

🚍 By Bus (What We Did)

We took Bus 800 from Amsterdam Central Station
Cost: €1.68
Payment: Just tap on and off with your debit card
Travel time: 20–30 minutes
Bonus: It’s an express bus and drops you right outside Zaanse Schans

This was honestly the easiest option. No transfers, no stress, and super affordable.

🚆 By Train (Alternative)

There’s usually a sprinter train that gets you there in around 15 minutes
Unfortunately, it wasn’t running when we visited, so we skipped this option

Both are great, but if Bus 800 is running, I’d absolutely recommend it.

First Impressions of Zaanse Schans

We visited in early January, and to our surprise, Zaanse Schans was covered in snow. Apparently, Amsterdam hasn’t seen this much snow since 2021, so we were incredibly lucky.

Walking in, the first thing you see is an open field lined with windmills, canals frozen just enough to look magical, and traditional green wooden houses dusted with white snow. It genuinely felt like we’d stepped into a fairytale or a desktop wallpaper.

It was beautiful but also freezing. The temperature dropped as low as -2°C, so while I loved the aesthetic, I was very grateful for warm cafes and hot chocolate later on.

Top Things to Do in Zaanse Schans, Amsterdam

Here are the must-visit spots you shouldn’t miss:

Wooden Shoe Workshop (Free)

This was way more entertaining than I expected.

Inside the workshop, you can watch a live wooden shoe (clog) making demonstration, completely free. The craftsman was incredibly skilled, but what shocked me most was that he spoke pretty good Mandarin, which impressed everyone in the room.

You can browse souvenirs inside and even buy wooden shoes if you’re feeling bold. Nearby, there’s a barn area, and if you’re lucky, you might spot some goats, which we did.

Henri Willig Cheese Factory (Free)

If you love cheese (or even just like cheese), this is a dream.

They offer free cheese tastings with a massive variety of flavours, classic, herbed, spicy, truffle, you name it. The staff were dressed in traditional Dutch clothing and were incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Honestly, you could walk out feeling like you’ve already had a snack. It’s perfect if you’re a bit peckish.

Zaans Done Cocoa Lab

This stop was a lifesaver in the cold.

Here, you can make your own hot chocolate, moving through different stations with clear instructions at each step. It felt interactive and fun, and more importantly, it warmed us up.

Price: €5.40 for a small regular size
Includes whipped cream and marshmallows

Worth every cent, especially on a freezing winter day.

If you walk around to the side of the store, there is a small boardwalk area where you can sit down and enjoy the nice views of the windmills and houses from afar.

Wander & Photograph

Don’t rush. Walk along the canals, cross the little bridges, and capture the windmills from different angles. Every turn feels like another postcard moment.

There are also souvenir shops and cosy cafes scattered throughout the area if you want to browse or take a break.

Visiting Zaandam After Zaanse Schans

Once you’re done exploring, hop on a bus to Zaandam.

Travel time: 15 minutes by bus or about 11 minutes by car
Entry: Free

Zaandam feels completely different from Zaanse Schans, more urban.

Most people visit Zaandam purely to snap a photo of the famous Inntel Hotels and while that building is absolutely worth seeing, the town itself deserves more time than a quick pit stop. Zaandam is creative, walkable, and full of little surprises that make it feel both modern and deeply connected to its industrial roots.

The Iconic Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam

The Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is hands down one of the most photographed buildings in the Netherlands. Designed to look like 70 traditional Dutch houses stacked on top of one another, it’s quirky, bold, and impossible to miss.

The green façades are inspired by classic Zaan-style houses, with one blue house in the mix as a nod to Claude Monet, who once painted in the area. Whether you love it or find it a little odd, it’s undeniably iconic.

Even if you’re not staying here, it’s worth circling the building and admiring the details.

Zaanse Schans and Zaandam: Easy Day Trip Itinerary from Amsterdam

Morning: Zaanse Schans

Arrive at Zaanse Schans and walk straight into the open fields for your first views of the windmills
Take your time exploring the village, canals, and historic houses
Stop by the Wooden Shoe Workshop for a free clog-making demonstration and souvenir browsing
Head to Henri Willig Cheese Factory to enjoy free cheese tastings and see how Dutch cheese is made

Midday: Warm Up & Wander

Visit Zaans Done Cocoa Lab to make your own hot chocolate (perfect on cold days)
Continue wandering around the area, capturing the scenic windmills, bridges, and countryside views
Browse souvenir shops or relax at a café before leaving Zaanse Schans

Afternoon: Zaandam

Travel to Zaandam (15–20 minutes by bus)
Visit the iconic Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam for photos
Take a short walk around the town centre or along the river before heading back to Amsterdam

Total Time Needed: 4–6 hours

Cost: Mostly free (aside from transport, food, and optional purchases)

Best Time to Visit Amsterdam

Spring (April–May): Tulips, mild weather, fewer crowds
Summer: Lively but busy
Autumn: Calm and atmospheric
Winter (January): Cold, quiet, and magical, especially if it snows

While winter is freezing, the lack of crowds and snowy scenery made it incredibly special for us.

Travel Tips

Dress warmly, especially in winter, the wind can be brutal
Go early to avoid tour groups
Bring a camera or phone with good battery life (cold drains it fast) or bring a portable charger
Try the free tastings, you’re missing out if you don’t
Combine Zaanse Schans with Zaandam for a fuller day

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Highlights at a Glance

Free entry to Zaanse Schans
Snow-covered windmills (if you’re lucky!)
Free wooden shoe demonstration
Unlimited cheese samples
Make-your-own hot chocolate
Iconic LEGO-like hotel in Zaandam
Easy and cheap transport from Amsterdam

Final Thoughts about Zaanse Schans and Zaandam

Zaanse Schans and Zaandam turned out to be one of my favourite day trips from Amsterdam, not because it was flashy or over-the-top, but because it felt authentic, peaceful, and beautifully Dutch.

The perfect place where you can slow down, breathe in the cold air, sip hot chocolate, and appreciate the simple beauty of windmills turning against a snowy sky (if you’re visiting in Winter). Pairing it with Zaandam adds a fun, modern contrast that rounds out the day perfectly.

If you’re visiting Amsterdam and have even half a day to spare, don’t skip this trip. Trust me, it’s worth it.