Zaanse Schans: A Windmills, Crafts and History Self-Guided Tour

5.0 (3 reviews) 45 min – 1 h 15 min Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

3 reviews

5.0

Zaanse Schans: A Windmills, Crafts and History Self-Guided Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Zaanse Schans: A Windmills, Crafts and History Self-Guided Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover the charm of Zaanse Schans on this self-guided 45-minute walking tour through a historic Dutch village of windmills, wooden houses, and centuries-old craftsmanship.

Starting at Klaverringdijk, stroll past green-painted homes, cross wooden bridges, and visit working windmills that still produce paint, oil, and timber.

Tour highlights include:

De Kat, the world’s only working paint mill
Traditional Zaan architecture with green facades and white trim
A clog workshop showcasing centuries-old shoemaking techniques
Cheesemaking demonstrations with tastings
Museumwinkel Albert Heijn, the first store of the iconic Dutch chain

The tour ends at the Museum Zaanse Tijd, home to 17th–18th century Dutch clocks.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Architecture Tours Cultural Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 45 min – 1 h 15 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Included: App for Android and iOS
Included: Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Not included

Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Not included: Food and drink
Not included: Transportation

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

Stroll by and see how one of the most recognizable symbols of the Dutch countryside is made and remains a proud symbol of Dutch heritage, and a popular souvenir. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 2

Passing by

Pass by and witness how milk is transformed into more than just a product but a culture. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 3

Passing by

Walk by and learn about this unique windmill and the only remaining working paint mill in the world. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Het Jonge Schaap

Passing by

Sneak a peek as you pass by this reconstruction of a 1680 mill, demonstrating how wind power was harnessed to saw logs into planks. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 5

Passing by

Pass by and see one of the few remaining working oil mills in the Netherlands where oil is traditionally pressed from seeds – a beautiful example of how wind power was used for industrial production, long before electricity or engines existed. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Museumwinkel Albert Heijn

Passing by

Stroll past a special piece of Dutch retail history, a faithful reconstruction of the first Albert Heijn store, founded in 1887, which went from humble beginnings in a small neighbourhood to the largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

This tour begins near nr 1 Klaverringdijk, 1509 BT Zaandam, Netherlands, at the entrance of the Zaanse Schans windmill area. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

This tour begins near nr 1 Klaverringdijk, 1509 BT Zaandam, Netherlands, at the entrance of the Zaanse Schans windmill area. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking.

You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

Create an account

Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.

Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]