
Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle worth booking?
Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle is a 8.5-hour experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from $153 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $153 per person
Visit the famous windmills and wooden houses at Zaanse Schans, picturesque Edam with its canals and historic houses, and magnificent medieval Muiderslot Castle. Discover three of the Netherlands’ most charming highlights in one unforgettable day. Step back in time at Zaanse Schans, with its iconic windmills, wooden houses and traditional crafts. Continue to picturesque Edam, a historic cheese town of canals, bridges and beautiful Golden Age architecture. Finally, explore the magnificent Muiderslot Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a moat. A perfect combination of Dutch traditions, historic towns and medieval grandeur — all in one relaxed day.
What you get
About this experience
Visit the famous windmills and wooden houses at Zaanse Schans, picturesque Edam with its canals and historic houses, and magnificent medieval Muiderslot Castle. Discover three of the Netherlands’ most charming highlights in one unforgettable day. Step back in time at Zaanse Schans, with its iconic windmills, wooden houses and traditional crafts. Continue to picturesque Edam, a historic cheese town of canals, bridges and beautiful Golden Age architecture. Finally, explore the magnificent Muiderslot Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a moat. A perfect combination of Dutch traditions, historic towns and medieval grandeur — all in one relaxed day.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Admission fee Muiderslot
Not included
- Lunch, food, beverages (additional to free snack-pack)
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Zaanse Schans
The amazing windmills of the Zaanse Schans are part of an area where history really comes to life. Stroll along the river and the scenic paths, lined with traditional wooden houses, towards the famous mills. These centuries-old engineering marvels were used for grinding spices, producing oil or paint, and sawing timber. The power of the wind made mass production of these products possible, and that's why the Zaanse Schans is regarded as the first industrial area in the world. Whether you're drawn by the mesmerizing blades turning in the wind or the chance to step back in time, the windmills of Zaanse Schans promise an unforgettable journey into the heart of Dutch heritage. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in The Netherlands for a reason!
120 minutes here
Edam
We continue to picturesque Edam, one of the Netherlands’ best-preserved historic towns, famous around the world for its distinctive round cheeses. During a leisurely guided walk, we’ll explore the charming canals, picturesque bridges and beautifully preserved monumental houses that reflect Edam’s prosperous past during the Dutch Golden Age. We’ll also see two impressive medieval churches and the historic Kaaswaag, the former cheese-weighing house where Edam’s famous cheeses were weighed, traded and prepared for export. After the guided town walk, you’ll have ample free time to explore Edam at your own pace. Enjoy lunch in one of the town’s atmospheric cafés or restaurants, browse the charming streets and canals, or visit the beautiful Edam Museum, housed in one of the town’s historic buildings, for a fascinating insight into local life and history.
135 minutes here
Muiderslot
Step into a real-life fairy tale at Muiderslot, one of the Netherlands’ most enchanting and best-preserved medieval castles. This stunning 13th-century fortress offers a perfect mix of history, beauty, and adventure. The castle’s interactive exhibits and engaging storytelling (by great audio tours) bring centuries of history to life, making it a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Let your imagination run wild as you walk through the knight’s hall, discover secret passageways, and step into the lives of Dutch nobility. Kids will love this great castle too: they probably already have drawn a castle that looks just like this one! Come and see why this monumental castle has captured hearts for centuries.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Amsterdam
Our van / minibus picks you up in Amsterdam at "De Ruyterkade", opposite number 5, where the "Kamer van Koophandel" (Chamber of Commerce) is located.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our van / minibus picks you up in Amsterdam at "De Ruyterkade", opposite number 5, where the "Kamer van Koophandel" (Chamber of Commerce) is located.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Best of The Netherlands tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travellers with Limited Physical movement
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best of Netherlands Tours company Day trips
I am just recommending this company if you need to book a Day Trips from Amsterdam. I was trying to book through Get your Guide and there was a problem with the site. They forwarded me the email contact for this company even with the time difference they answered very soon looked into the problem sorted it out and I was able to book my Day Trip wonderful service from Ligaya. Wonderful customer service
via Tripadvisor
Excellent day out on the Northern Highlights Tour
We had an excellent day out with Simon as our guide and driver. The tour took us to Zaanse Schans and then away from the tourist trail, across the incredible enclosing dyke into Friesland where we visited the medieval towns of Sneek and Muiderslot. It was great for us to get away from tourist crowds and we practically had Muiderslot castle to ourselves on the day we visited. Simon was friendly, accommodating and a wealth of information. A generous snack bag was provided for us and we had time for a sit down lunch in Sneek. We would definitely recommend this tour!
via Tripadvisor
Northern tour
Our tour guide Jan was amazing! Would highly recommend. We learned so much about this beautiful country
via Viator
Great tour of the northern Netherlands.
I had to take the “Discover the Netherlands” tour instead but it was an excellent tour and the guide - Simon - was very good.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Best of The Netherlands tours, who run 10 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.2.
See everything Best of The Netherlands tours runsWhy this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Amsterdam.
How much does Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle cost?
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Prices start at $153 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Amsterdam usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Amsterdam is not rushed.
Is Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Amsterdam, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Amsterdam can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Amsterdam and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Amsterdam within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Amsterdam?
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On Outty we rank every Amsterdam experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with 10 Tastings, Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Local Guide and Small Group, Amsterdam 90 minutes Canal Cruise with bar and snacks on board.. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle?
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Included: Snacks; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Admission fee Muiderslot. Not included: Lunch, food, beverages (additional to free snack-pack); and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle?
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Our van / minibus picks you up in Amsterdam at "De Ruyterkade", opposite number 5, where the "Kamer van Koophandel" (Chamber of Commerce) is located. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Dutch Highlights Tour from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Castle?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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