Discover the Zaanse Schans
- Fun and educational for young and old
- Unique heritage village in the Netherlands
- Visit the museums, mills, crafts, shops and restaurants
Visit the Zaanse Schans
Are you staying at Dream Villa Beachhouse Zandvoort and looking for a typically Dutch outing during your beach holiday? Then a visit to the Zaanse Schans is the perfect day trip. This world-famous heritage site is just a short distance from Zandvoort and offers a unique glimpse into the Netherlands of the 18th and 19th centuries, with iconic windmills, wooden houses, crafts, and museums.
Here you can read all about the Zaanse Schans, what to do, how to get there from Zandvoort, parking, public transport, and any costs.
What is the Zaanse Schans?
The Zaanse Schans is a historic village on the Zaan River, near Zaandam. This open-air museum is known for its authentic working windmills, green wooden houses, and traditional crafts. Every year, visitors from all over the world flock here to experience traditional Dutch life.
The best part is that the area itself is freely accessible and feels like a living museum.


What is the Zaanse Schans?
The Zaanse Schans is a historic village on the Zaan River, near Zaandam. This open-air museum is known for its authentic working windmills, green wooden houses, and traditional crafts. Every year, visitors from all over the world flock here to experience traditional Dutch life.
The best part is that the area itself is freely accessible and feels like a living museum.
- Bezoek de windmolens
- Bezoek de kaasboerderijen en klompenmakers
- Bezoek de musea: Zaans museum en Molenmuseum
- Wandel door het erfgoed dorp en langs de Zaan en molens
Be inspired by Belgium
Looking for a luxury holiday home in the Ardennes? Nice and close and therefore an ideal destination for a weekend away or holiday in Belgium. A short distance from the Netherlands you immediately feel like you are abroad. Rugged nature with many forests, small villages and towns, abbeys and castles characterize the Ardennes. From your holiday home in Belgium you can walk, cycle and mountain bike through the hilly landscape, the winding roads are a favorite with motorcycle enthusiasts. The anticipation starts with the search for a suitable and luxurious holiday home in the Belgian Ardennes for your group. We have listed the best Ardennes tips for you. Spending a holiday in a holiday home in the Belgian Ardennes is always a good idea!








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The most beautiful highlights in the area:
✦ Coo Waterfalls: Take a trip to the Coo waterfalls, where the crashing water plunges 15 meters down, they are the highest in Belgium.
✦ The High Fens: the largest nature park with heathland, forest and peat bogs with rare plant and animal species. Walking is only permitted on the marked trails or under the guidance of a guide. The Signal de Botrange is the highest point.
✦ Kayaking: Rent a kayak or canoe and take an adventurous trip on the river Ourthe, Lesse, Ambleve or Semois. From various starting points you can rent a canoe or kayak and paddle through the beautiful nature.
What our guests have asked us:
🧀 What is the best time to visit the Zaanse Schans?
Want to make the most of your visit to the Zaanse Schans, the iconic heritage village in North Holland? Spring and summer are the busiest times, when all the windmills, museums, and crafts are open. For those seeking peace and quiet and wanting to capture the most beautiful photos, a visit before 11:00 AM is ideal. Weekdays are also often less crowded than weekends.
🚗 How do you reach the Zaanse Schans from Zandvoort?
By car, you can get there in about 45 minutes. Upon arrival, you can park in the spacious parking lot at the Zaanse Schans for a daily rate of approximately €15.
By public transport, first take the train from Zandvoort aan Zee to Amsterdam Central Station, and then transfer to the train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans. From the station, it's only a 15-minute walk to the heritage village. The total travel time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.