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Zaanse Schans : Windmills , Clogs, Cheese & Museums!

Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a little village located along the Zaan River. In the past, this river had thousands of windmills producing spices and mills such as saw, oil and dye. However, due to urbanisation, many of the windmills were relocated. To save the tradition (and the windmills) some locals came together and preserved what was left. Today, there are still working windmills on the banks of the Zaan River. Together with clogs shops, cheese shops and museums, Zaanse Schans has today become a huge tourist attraction in and around Amsterdam.

Things to do and Attractions at Zaanse Schans

There are so many things to do and attractions at Zaanse. Here are some of the things that you must visit here.

Traditional Windmills @ Zaanse Schans

What is a visit to the Netherlands without taking some pictures of traditional windmills? Indeed, Holland is famous for its windmills and here, there are still working windmills that produce spices and saw!

Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans
Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans
A Spice Making Windmill Zaanse Schans
A Spice Making Windmill Zaanse Schans
Spices available for sale inside the windmill at Zaanse Schans
Spices available for sale inside the windmill at Zaanse Schans

The following video shows the insides of the windmill and how the wind energy is converted to mechanical energy that grinds the spices.


Windmill Mechanism

Wooden Shoe Workshop

Besides the famous windmills, you can also visit the clogs shop or the wooden shoe workshop!

Wooden Shoe Workshop Zaanse Schans
Wooden Shoe Workshop Zaanse Schans

Here you can have a short lesson on the history of clogs in the Netherlands as well as all around the world! Thereafter, there’s a clogs making demonstration as well. (Check out timings of demonstration with shop keeper)


Wooden Shoe Making Demonstration

After the demonstration, you can take your pick at the numerous clogs that are available for sale!

Rows of Clogs Zaanse Schans
Rows of Clogs Zaanse Schans

Click the following for a more detailed coverage of Wooden Shoe Clogs Workshop at Zaanse Schans.

Other Attractions at Zaanse Schans

There are also other attractions such as the Zaan Museum, Cheese Making Shop (aka Cheese Farm), Dutch Clock Museum as well as the oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands!

Cheese Making Cottage Zaanse Schans
Cheese Making Cottage Zaanse Schans
Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands Zaanse Schans
Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands Zaanse Schans
Dutch Clock Museum Zaanse Schans
Dutch Clock Museum Zaanse Schans

Dont forget to take time to enjoy the picturesque views around the area as well!

Garden Walkway Zaanse Schans
Garden Walkway Zaanse Schans

How to get to Zaanse Schans

We have created a post on How to get to Zaanse Schans here. However, just to give you a quick direction. You can either hop on the train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Koog Zaandijk station OR take the bus 391 from Amsterdam Central which stops right at the Zaan Museum.

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For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Amsterdam right here!

We hope you’ll enjoy this day trip and that this post has showed you the things to do at Zaanse Schans!

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Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans Holland : Eurotrip Day 8!

Zaanse Schans is a windmill village where you can see traditional windmills just a short ride from Amsterdam Central Station. In the past, there were many windmills along this bank but because of industrialisation, many windmills wound up and left. There was subsequently a movement to preserve these traditional windmills and today there are still 6 windmills that are working. Of these, only the spice mill is free. Entry for the paint mill and oil mill costs 3Euro. This post will detail our day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans!

We have done up a separate post on how to get to Zaanse Schans. On the way there, we had a kiwi orange juice and chocolate waffle for 1Euro each!

Kiwi Orange and Chocolate Waffle for breakfast
Kiwi Orange and Chocolate Waffle for breakfast

Before we get to see the old traditional windmills of Zaanse Schans, we were thrilled to be greeted by the modern windmills in Holland!

Modern Windmills Amsterdam
Modern Windmills Amsterdam

We arrived at the Koog Zaandijk Station and we saw this sign that told us that we were at the right place…

Picture of Zaanse Schans at Koog Zaandijk Station
Picture of Zaanse Schans at Koog Zaandijk Station

Outside the station, we got a brochure from a machine that looks like this

Free Information Pamphlet at Koog Zaandijk Station
Free Information Pamphlet at Koog Zaandijk Station

The walk from the train station to Zaanse Schans is about 10 minutes. Along the way, the air is filled with the smell of cocoa! We realised that there’s a ADM Cocoa Factory @ Zaanse Schans!

ADM Cocoa Factory Zaanse Schans
ADM Cocoa Factory Zaanse Schans

Before long, we saw our very first windmill…

First windmill we saw along the way at Zaase Schans
First windmill we saw along the way at Zaase Schans

We then crossed a bridge spanning the Zaan River before reaching Zaanse Schans. This video shows the splendid view at Zaanse Schans as seen from the bridge (notice the smoking chimney, it’s ADM Cocoa!)


Zaanse Schans – Windmills and Great Views!

We were then greeted by the welcome sign

Dutch Clock Museum Zaanse Schans
Dutch Clock Museum Zaanse Schans

As we entered the village, we immediately felt that we were transported back in time. Back to a more laid back era, a time where things were much slower, more peaceful and serene. All the views suddenly became picturesque…

Splendid Views at Zaanse Schans

Canals of Zaanse Schans
Canals of Zaanse Schans
Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands Zaanse Schans
Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands Zaanse Schans
Garden Walkway Zaanse Schans
Garden Walkway Zaanse Schans
Draw Bridge near Zaanse Schans Square
Draw Bridge near Zaanse Schans Square


Amazing views at Zaanse Schans!

We then noticed a huge yellow thingy from afar and we walked towards it. As it turned out, we arrived at the Wooden Shoe Workshop @ Zaanse Schans!

Wooden Shoe Workshop Zaanse Schans
Wooden Shoe Workshop Zaanse Schans

As we entered the workshop, we were greeted by displays of clogs from all around the world, clogs past and present as well as intricate clogs made by grooms for their brides!

Intricate Wedding Clogs Zaanse Schans
Intricate Wedding Clogs Zaanse Schans

We happened to enter the workshop at the same time as a group of tourists from Hongkong. Hence, there was a clog making demonstration that we sat in to watch…


Clog Making Demonstration @ Zaanse Schans

After the demonstration, we browsed through the mesmorising array of clogs on display!

Rows of Clogs Zaanse Schans
Rows of Clogs Zaanse Schans

We also visited the cheese farm and also tried some cheese…

Cheese Making Cottage Zaanse Schans
Cheese Making Cottage Zaanse Schans

After making our way past the village at Zaanse Schans, we finally reached the traditional windmills!

Zaanse Schans Windmills

A Spice Making Windmill Zaanse Schans
A Spice Making Windmill Zaanse Schans

Inside the spice windmill, the spices were indeed cheaper (well at least when compared to the prices we know). There were also many different spices to choose from as well!

Spices available for sale inside the windmill at Zaanse Schans
Spices available for sale inside the windmill at Zaanse Schans

Before long, we came upon the view that we came here for…

Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans
Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans

Isnt this view just breathtaking? We also passed by the colour pigment, timber and oil windmills. Only the spice windmill is free entry, the other windmills costs 3Euro for entry…

3Euro Entry fee to the Colour Pigment Windmill
3Euro Entry fee to the Colour Pigment Windmill
Colour Pigment Windmill Zaanse Schans
Colour Pigment Windmill Zaanse Schans
Timber Windmill Zaanse Schans
Timber Windmill Zaanse Schans
Oil Windmill Zaanse Schans
Oil Windmill Zaanse Schans

Before we left, we entered the oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands @ Zaanse Schans and had a cuppa there…

Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands since 1887
Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands since 1887
Coffee Exposition at Albert Heijn Zaanse Schans
Coffee Exposition at Albert Heijn Zaanse Schans

You can also grab some souvenirs at the souvenir shop!

Cosy Miffy Display @ Souvenir Shop Zaanse Schans
Cosy Miffy Display @ Souvenir Shop Zaanse Schans

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For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Amsterdam right here!

All in all, this day trip to Zaanse Schans was SUPER WORTH IT! Do check out our other post on things to do in Zaanse Schans for an overview of what to do there. If you are in Amsterdam, we strongly recommend this trip to see what the Netherlands is famous for and to experience the laid back village life @ Zaanse Schans!

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