Zaanse Schans, Zaandam

At Zaanse Schans, tour a recreated historical Dutch village filled with wooden houses and iconic windmills. An important stop along the European Route of Industrial Heritage, this open-air museum hosts 900,000 tourists every year. Its 35 wooden homes were brought from surrounding villages to the museum in the 1970s. The well-preserved windmills, which have become a symbol of the Netherlands, date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and each have their own distinct names. Walk through the buildings, stop into the shops and restaurants, take a scenic boat ride, or watch traditional Dutch craft-making during your visit. Put Zaanse Schans on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Zaandam trip site.