Windmills Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken

Windmills Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken

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 towns of Edam and Volendam. Edam 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 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 island!) jutting out into the bay near Amsterdam. Its greenery blends into the traditional wooden houses painted the same color, and it retains its traditional air, giving you the feeling of stepping back into Holland's history.

Finally, we start our return journey, arriving back in Amsterdam about eight hours after departure.