Zaanse Schans – Zaandam

Zaanse Schans is one of the most historical places of Holland where you can relive the 18^th century. This little neighborhood is located in “Zaandam” (near Amsterdam) and is famous because of its beautiful scenery with typical windmills and 18^th century houses.

Sightseeing

In the Zaanse Schans there are many historical events, monuments and museums. For instance, you can see the production of the typical Dutch clogs (klompen=wooden shoes). There is a replica of the first supermarket of “Albert Heijn”, also see or participate in a workshop to make the famous Dutch cheese. Walk inside the ‘Jisperhuisje’, a historical fisherman’s cottage to see how a  household was done in the 18^th century. Make sure to dress up in typical 18^th century Dutch clothes for a nice photograph or a selfie to take home. (Fee: 1€ for children and 2€ for adults)

Museums

The largest museum in Zaandam is the “Zaans museum en Verkade Experience”; Verkade is the most famous Dutch cookie and chocolate factory. You may see objects as clothing, paintings and materials of the largest cookie and chocolate factory of 20th century in Holland.

The monumental Honig Breethuis will show you how a typical Zaanse merchant family lived back in the year 1830. The owner of the white paper mill “The Vergulde Bijkorf”.

In the ‘Molenmuseum’ a large collection of scale models is shown of oil-, paper-, peeling- and wood saw mills. It gives you a complete overview of the rise and fall of industrial (wind-)mills. The models show how the windforce was and therefore taken by the blades and transferred by different but ingenious mechanisms in the heart of the windmill. These mechanisms were different per mill.

For information see: dezaanseschans.nl

Transportation for Zaanse Schans

For visiting the Zaanse Schans and the larger Region of Amsterdam you may buy the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket for 1-2-3 days.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

If you plan to travel for more days through The Netherlands, you could better choose for the temporary (‘lease’) OV-chipkaart which is the official transportation card for all public transportation!

See: Lease Transport Chip Card

You can reload it with travel credits via our website: Public Transport Chip Card Credit