🌾 Windmills
The windmills at Zaanse Schans are a great place to see how people in the Netherlands used the power of the wind to do hard work long before machines and electricity. As you walk through the area, you’ll see several large, colorful windmills turning slowly above the green fields and waterways.
You can even climb inside working windmills, each has its own special purpose. De Kat is still used to grind natural pigments that were once needed to make traditional paints. De Zoeker, one of the oldest mills in the area, continues to press oil from seeds, just like it did centuries ago. It gives you a clear idea of how busy and important these mills once were.
A visit to the windmills of Zaanse Schans lets you step into the past and see how clever and hardworking people were in using simple wind power to run their daily industries.
👞 Clogs & Crafts
At the clog workshop and museum in Zaanse Schans, you can watch skilled makers turn plain pieces of wood into traditional Dutch clogs within minutes. The demonstrations are easy to follow, and it’s fun to see how quickly the wooden shoes take shape using old tools and modern machines.
Inside the small museum, you’ll find clogs of all kinds: painted, carved, giant, tiny, and even special clogs made for weddings or winter ice. The displays show how clogs were used in everyday life and why they were so important for farmers and workers.
You can walk around, try on different styles, and learn why these wooden shoes became one of the most famous symbols of the Netherlands. It’s a light, enjoyable stop that mixes history, craft, and a bit of humor.
🧀 Cheese Farm
Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm is one of the most welcoming spots in Zaanse Schans. Inside the traditional wooden farmhouse, friendly staff dressed in Dutch costumes explain how classic cheeses like Gouda and Edam are made. The demonstrations are easy to understand, showing every step, from fresh milk to the final round of cheese.
After the demo, you can walk through the tasting room, where dozens of flavors are set out for you to try for free. From creamy herb cheeses to richer aged varieties, there’s something for everyone. The shop also sells cheese to take home, along with small snacks and gifts.
The farm has a warm, relaxed atmosphere, making it a great place to learn something new, enjoy a few tastes, and experience a bit of Dutch food culture up close. It’s both fun and delicious: perfect for visitors of any age.
🏛️ Museums
Zaanse Schans has several small but interesting museums that make the village feel like a walk through Dutch history. The Zaanse Museum is the largest and shows how people in the region lived and worked over the years. You can see old tools, traditional clothing, and famous local products, giving you a clear picture of daily life in the past.
The Time Museum (Museum of Time) takes you into a world of clocks and watches. From tiny pocket watches to large wooden timepieces, the displays show how people kept track of time long before digital screens. It’s a quiet, charming place that’s fun to explore.
One of the most nostalgic stops is the Albert Heijn Museum Shop, a perfect little replica of the very first Albert Heijn grocery store. Inside, you’ll find old packaging, early products, and a look at how a simple village shop grew into the country’s biggest supermarket chain.
🏨 Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is one of the most unusual and fun-looking buildings in the area. Opened in 2010, the hotel is famous because the outside is made to look like almost seventy small Zaan-style houses stacked on top of each other. These “houses” are painted in four different shades of traditional Zaan green.
Even though the outside looks old and traditional, the inside is modern, comfortable, and welcoming. Many rooms also include small touches that show the history of the Zaan region, such as photos, patterns, or colors inspired by local crafts and industry.
The hotel is right in the center of Zaandam, close to shops, restaurants, and the train station. It’s also only a short trip away from Zaanse Schans.
