A return to the past

The Zaanse Schans with its historical wooden houses, warehouses and windmills is a must-see attraction both within and outside of the Zaan region. With almost a million national and international visitors each year, the Zaanse Schans is high on the list of top Dutch attractions.

The idea of the Zaanse Schans germinated in the 1960’s. From a cultural-historical perspective, the Schans was constructed in a village setting and furnished with authentic details. Originally a small open air museum, the Zaanse Schans has since grown into an attractive and educational tourist organization. 


The Zaanse Schans has windmills and museums that bring the past to life. There are authentic shops where you can purchase shipping items, cheese, wooden shoes, food, curia, wooden toys and endless souvenirs of both the Zaanse Schans and the Netherlands. Demonstrations of by-gone crafts are demonstrated, one of our tour boats will take you on a river tour, and various cafes are open where you can stop for drinks or refreshments. The Zaanse Schans is open to the public every day. Several packages are available for groups that provide a varied, half-day program. Go to www.zaanseschans.nl

Our farms are situated close to Amsterdam and open daily.		Visit our farms free of charge. On-site parking available.