Our Zaanse Schans Visit: An Honest Review of a Busy Summer Day
Exploring Dutch Gems As A Family Of Four
Zaanse Schans is an extremely scenic neighborhood in Zaandam that feels like stepping directly into a postcard. We visited this historic site in Summer 2025 with our children, spending a memorable 2.5 hours exploring. Because we visited on a Saturday, there were a lot of people there. Luckily, it was not too hard to find a parking spot in the official lot.
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Arriving In Zaandam
- Via Train or Bus: Zaandam is easily accessible via Zaandam station, offering direct connections from Amsterdam and local bus networks. Check schedules and book tickets on Busbud here.
- Via Flight: Fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for quick access to Zaandam and the Zaanse Schans. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Getting Around and Staying in Netherlands
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
- Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.
Visiting Zaanse Schans
Pro-tip: If you are interested in a tour of Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam, secure your spot using the widget below.
As we walked towards the entrance from the parking lot, we came across the iconic and stunning view of the canals and windmills stretching across the water. Immediately after entering, we came across the giant yellow wooden clogs and stopped to take family photos while sitting and standing in them.
Our Walk Past the Windmills and Workshops
We walked past the main clog workshop because there was a very large crowd around it. Since our focus was on taking a relaxing walk around the area, we decided to keep moving. We came across beautiful old windmills and spent time exploring the fascinating Cheese Farm De Catharina Hoeve.
Traditional Dutch Treats for Lunch
For lunch, we indulged in some delicious Dutch fries and sweet, warm stroopwafels. It is worth noting that it was extremely hot and extremely crowded the day we visited. If you are planning your own Zaanse Schans windmills visit, it might be highly beneficial to schedule your trip on a weekday to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Bringing Home a Piece of Holland
On our way out, we stopped to get blue colored Dutch clogs (known locally as a klomp) for our son. We had already bought a pink pair for our daughter at Giethoorn two years prior, and we really wanted a matching one for our son as well.
This purchase was totally worth it. Both of the kids absolutely love wearing them and walking around the house.
Final Remarks
Our visit to Zaanse Schans was a fun-activity but we concluded that the weather was too hot for an outdoor activity on that particular day. To make it worse, there were huge crowds and we struggled to find a spot to have lunch and hydrate ourselves. While we loved the scenic views, we would definitely recommend visiting Zaanse Schans on a weekday.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there parking available at Zaanse Schans?
Yes, there is an official parking lot on site. Even on a busy Saturday, we found that it was not too hard to find a parking spot.
What is the best day to visit Zaanse Schans?
We highly recommend scheduling your visit on a weekday. Weekends can become extremely hot and extremely crowded, making a weekday walk much more relaxing.
Can you buy authentic wooden clogs at Zaanse Schans?
Yes, there is a clog workshop and gift shops where you can purchase traditional Dutch clogs. They make a wonderful souvenir for children to enjoy.
