Windmills Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken from Amsterdam

I really enjoyed it! Dani told us many interesting things about the history of the Netherlands. I think we had just the ...

Nayeli

Step back in time as you head to the serene Dutch countryside for a taste of its windmills, dams, and medieval towns. A must if you're in Amsterdam!

Details

Duration

8 hours.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

English–speaking guide
Transport by bus
Cheese tasting
Live clog making demonstration
Admission to a working windmill (depending on selected option)
Ferry ride from Volendam to the island of Marken (depending on selected option)

Not included

Food and drinks

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Any cancellations after this or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.

Canal Cruise Amsterdam

Free cancellation

Traditional Dutch Stroopwafel Workshop

Free cancellation

Zaanse Schans Windmills & LEGO City Day Trip

Free cancellation

Meeting point

De Ruijterkade 153

Reviews of our customers

8.6

Excellent 4,208 Travelers·181 reviews

September 4, 2026
Nayeli
Mexico
I really enjoyed it! Dani told us many interesting things about the history of the Netherlands. I think we had just the right amount of time at each p...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
August 16, 2026
Esther Fernandez
New York, United States
The activity was great! Bea and Fati were excellent. Bea was very informative and attentive. Fati is a great driver. We would repeat the tour wit...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 9, 2026
Danielle
Madrid, Spain
Today’s activity was wonderful we discovered a bunch of different cities that we would’ve never discovered if we hadn’t done this tour. We’re also luc...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
July 15, 2026
Belem
Charlotte, Nc, United States
Excellent tour. But your timings are off at the cool places. My group rather have more time and enjoy the windmills than 2 hours to eat at the hot V...
With friends
Is this useful?
September 5, 2024
Ely
United Kingdom
Anna-Marie was the embodiment of what a tour guide should strive to be I think. Everything ran smoothly without feeling like there was a crazy rush, t...
With friends
Is this useful?
August 29, 2024
David
Colombia
The tour is highly recommended, you see many things and incredible landscapes. The cost-benefit ratio is perfect. Even the 2 "commercial" activities a...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
April 22, 2024
Anonymous
United States
This tour was excellent and our tour guide, Anna Maria, did a wonderful job! It was nice to have everything planned out (even preorder lunch) and to g...
As a couple
Is this useful?
March 19, 2024
Velia
Mexico
It was a good way to know the country site of Holland. Rafael did a great job with all the information he shared with us about the culture of the plac...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
November 24, 2025
Sheryl
Savannah, United States
Our guide was outstanding. He was informative and interesting. The stops on the tour exceeded expectations with sufficient time at each location. H...
With friends
Is this useful?
November 11, 2025
Mildred Balado
United States
Our guide Lidia is excellent. Very engaging and knowledgeable about history. She explains everything in an easy-to-understand way without being boring...
With friends
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Step back in time as you head to the serene Dutch countryside for a taste of its windmills, dams, and medieval towns. A must if you're in Amsterdam!

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.

8.6

Excellent 4,208 Travelers·181 reviews

September 4, 2026
Nayeli
Mexico
I really enjoyed it! Dani told us many interesting things about the history of the Netherlands. I think we had just the right amount of time at each p...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
August 16, 2026
Esther Fernandez
New York, United States
The activity was great! Bea and Fati were excellent. Bea was very informative and attentive. Fati is a great driver. We would repeat the tour wit...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 9, 2026
Danielle
Madrid, Spain
Today’s activity was wonderful we discovered a bunch of different cities that we would’ve never discovered if we hadn’t done this tour. We’re also luc...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
July 15, 2026
Belem
Charlotte, Nc, United States
Excellent tour. But your timings are off at the cool places. My group rather have more time and enjoy the windmills than 2 hours to eat at the hot V...
With friends
Is this useful?
September 5, 2024
Ely
United Kingdom
Anna-Marie was the embodiment of what a tour guide should strive to be I think. Everything ran smoothly without feeling like there was a crazy rush, t...
With friends
Is this useful?
August 29, 2024
David
Colombia
The tour is highly recommended, you see many things and incredible landscapes. The cost-benefit ratio is perfect. Even the 2 "commercial" activities a...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
April 22, 2024
Anonymous
United States
This tour was excellent and our tour guide, Anna Maria, did a wonderful job! It was nice to have everything planned out (even preorder lunch) and to g...
As a couple
Is this useful?
March 19, 2024
Velia
Mexico
It was a good way to know the country site of Holland. Rafael did a great job with all the information he shared with us about the culture of the plac...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
November 24, 2025
Sheryl
Savannah, United States
Our guide was outstanding. He was informative and interesting. The stops on the tour exceeded expectations with sufficient time at each location. H...
With friends
Is this useful?
November 11, 2025
Mildred Balado
United States
Our guide Lidia is excellent. Very engaging and knowledgeable about history. She explains everything in an easy-to-understand way without being boring...
With friends
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Step back in time as you head to the serene Dutch countryside for a taste of its windmills, dams, and medieval towns. A must if you're in Amsterdam!

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

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

Windmills Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken