Windmills Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken

Tour Options

During the booking process, you can choose between two options. Both tours begin in the center of Amsterdam and include an English-speaking guide. 

Please read the details of each tour below: 

Guided Tour

The tour meets at the indicated time in the center of Amsterdam, where we'll board our bus on the way to visit the famous windmills of Zaanse Schans and the Westerland: the famous image of traditional Holland!

Zaanse Schans comes first, a town known for its windmills – the lasting mark left by the industry that drove the region in the 17th and 18th centuries. These windmills were used to produce oil, paint, mustard, and paper, among other goods, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of them to see how they work.

The area is also home to one of the country's most iconic products: clogs! On the tour, you'll also visit a workshop which still makes this traditional footwear – much appreciated by peasants and workers in the Middle Ages, and still worn by some even to this day.

Then, it's on to the town of Edam. This town is famous around the world for its cheese, but in the Middle Ages, it was one of Europe's most important ports. Here, we'll visit a dairy farm and try its star product for ourselves.

And then, we'll move on to Volendam, which, despite its rural charm, is known as one of the most vibrant cities in the north of Holland. Here, you can explore its picturesque streets and famous fishing port. You'll also have some free time here to grab a bite to eat and continue exploring on your own.

Next up? Marken, a rural fishing village unique for its location as a peninsula (almost an island!) jutting out into the bay near Amsterdam. Its greenery blends into the traditional wooden houses painted the same color, and it preserves its traditional atmosphere, giving you the feeling of stepping back into Holland's history.

Finally, we start our return journey, arriving back in Amsterdam 6 to 8 hours after departure.

Guided Tour + Windmill Visit & Boat Ride

If you choose this option, you'll enjoy everything from the previously described itinerary, plus two experiences that bring Dutch traditions to life. In Zaanse Schans, you'll visit a working windmill to discover how these structures powered Holland's past. After exploring Volendam, instead of traveling by road, you'll enjoy a boat ride to Marken on board the Volendam Marken Express. You'll take in the beautiful views of the coastline on the water routes that once connected fishing villages in the past. It's the most authentic way to experience traditional Holland! 

Itinerary Changes

Please note that the itinerary order may vary. The location of the cheese factory may be in Volendam instead of Edam, and the shoe factory may be in Marken instead of Zaanse Schans, depending on availability.

From April 13 to May 18, due to roadwork and difficulty entering Marken, we will not enter the island. During these dates, we will not visit Marken, and we'll spend more time in Zaanse Schans, Edam, and Volendam. The tour will still last 8 hours.