
Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 719 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam worth booking?
Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam is a 3.5-hour experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from $23 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 719 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (719)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $23 per person
Visit the beautiful windmill village Zaanse Schans. Here you will experience all that is typical Dutch in just a few hours. See the historic working windmills of Zaanse Schans and the wooden green painted houses and shops. Learn about cheese making and watch traditional craftsmen making clogs and other artifacts. A professional, experienced and friendly guide will accompany you throughout the village before you get time to further explore the village on your own. Taste a complimentary Dutch stroopwafel during your countryside adventure.
What you get
About this experience
Visit the beautiful windmill village Zaanse Schans. Here you will experience all that is typical Dutch in just a few hours. See the historic working windmills of Zaanse Schans and the wooden green painted houses and shops. Learn about cheese making and watch traditional craftsmen making clogs and other artifacts. A professional, experienced and friendly guide will accompany you throughout the village before you get time to further explore the village on your own. Taste a complimentary Dutch stroopwafel during your countryside adventure.
What's included
Included
- Visit clog museum (wooden shoemaker shop)
- Amsterdam Canal Cruise Voucher ( if option selected)
- Snacks
- Visit cheesefarm incl. Dutch cheese tasting
- Windmill Cruise Zaanse Schans (if option selected)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Multi - Lingual Guided tour (Not when option NON GUIDED is selected)
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entry fee inside windmills at Zaanse Schans
What you'll see and do
Our guide will welcome you at our meeting point. Together, you will walk to the bus, where your journey to the next destination will begin.
30 minutes here
Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm
Learn how Dutch cheese is being made in a farm and of course taste some real Dutch farmer cheese!
30 minutes here
Kooijman Souvenirs & Clogs Wooden Shoe Workshop
You will visit the clog museum annex wooden shoemaker shop, here you will watch traditional craftsmen at work, making clogs and other artefacts
30 minutes here
Zaanse Schans
From Amsterdam we take you to the windmill village Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is an open air museum that houses a collection of working windmills, wooden houses, barns and shops dating back to the 18th and 19th Century. All these buildings were brought here from 1961 on, bringing back to life this most prosperous period of the Zaan region.
90 minutes here
Amsterdam
Drive from the Zaanse Schans back to Amsterdam, where your guide will drop you off.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Amsterdam
Check-in is at the white Stromma building (Stationsplein 4), a 1-min walk from Amsterdam Central's city-side exit. Look straight ahead/slightly left across the square. Search "Stromma Central Station" on Google Maps; do not follow pins pointing to a bus yard. Arrive 15 mins early.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Check-in is at the white Stromma building (Stationsplein 4), a 1-min walk from Amsterdam Central's city-side exit. Look straight ahead/slightly left across the square. Search "Stromma Central Station" on Google Maps; do not follow pins pointing to a bus yard. Arrive 15 mins early.
Options you can book
Tour in English + CanalCruise
Extra information: This tour will be with a bilingual guide. Option includes an open departure ticket for a 1-Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise instructions: Voucher for the Canal Cruise, valid for a few days and usable at your leisure. tickets cannot be collected before the tour.
English + Windmill Cruise
Windmill Cruise Zaanse Schans : Choose this option for a 30-minute cruise along the River Zaan, sailing past the iconic Dutch windmills.
NON Guided tour
Extra information:: Select this option for the tour without guide. You can explore the Zaanse Schans and the demonstrations by yourself.
Tour in German
Multilingual Tour in German: This tour will be with a bilingual guide German and English
Tour in English
Extra information: This tour will be with a bilingual guide
Tour in Spanish
This tour will be with a bilingual guide Spanish and English
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tour Company B.V.
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note that the tour bus is parked a short walk away. After checking in, guests will take an approximate 7-minute walk with the guide to the coach boarding area.
- If the Canal Cruise option is selected, you will receive an independent voucher at check-in. This cruise is not connected to the bus tour itinerary; it is a separate voucher valid for use at your own leisure over the following days
- Strollers and luggage can be accommodated in the storage compartment beneath the coach bus. Please note that bringing these items is at your own risk, and the tour company assumes no liability for personal property.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 717 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
717 verified traveler reviews for Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A walk to the Bus
A very nice tour. So help those with mobility issues, please state that there is a walk to the provided transportation.
via Viator
Great tour. Lots to see....
Great tour. Lots to see. Perfect place to go and visit. Cheese tour and clog demonstration was very interesting
via Viator
A must do experience...
A great experience with a comfortable bus ride to the village. The windmills, wooden shoe-making demonstration and cheese factory were all enjoyable and informative. There was plenty of time to explore the other areas and grab a bite to eat without feeling rushed.
via Viator
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly!
The booking process was fairly easy. Confirmation was received in advance of our tour. We arrived at the meeting point and the agent (Anna) could not locate our reservation. She eventually found the confirmation. We received an email just prior to the tour that we were receiving a perk of an additional stop at the end of the day that would add 90 minutes to our agenda. We did not want to add the extra stop as we had previous plans but were told we had no option except to cancel the full tour. We were forced to make a quick decision. The meeting point was across the street from the Amsterdam Centraal train station. To get on the bus, we had to navigate a very busy walk of at least 15 minutes towards the harbor/water. While we did not have a mobility issue, several in our group did. Not a great way to begin the day. The tour bus was good, the driver very personable. There was no audio provided for multi-lingual participants: the website did state an English speaking tour. We quickly learned that the tour guide would be speaking in both English and Spanish throughout the day. Again, not what was sold to us. The tour guide did her best in keeping all passengers safe and as informed as possible. The arrival at Zaanse Schans was good. Specific times were reinforced for 'back to bus'. Arrival at the cheese portion of the tour was confusing. Doors were locked and frankly the staff did not know we were on the visitors list or they were unprepared. Sampling the various cheeses was nice. The wooden shoe/clog demonstration was rushed; again the staff did not know we were going to be onsite. The machines were not ready for the demonstration. There was no time to engage or visit the gift shop. Very little interest for us. I believe this visit was quick to allow for the 'added' stop. The final stop to the fishing village was a true waste of time. The bus had to park away from the center of the town, lots of walking again with poor guidance by the tour guide. This tour, aside from the visit to the windmills, was Very Very disappointing.
via Viator
Windmills, cheese and clogs!
Fun day outside of Amsterdam at Zaanse Schans Village. Great tourguide Rob. Informative helpful and courteous. Loved the tour! Windmills were the highlight.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $23 to $56
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 252
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tour Company B.V., who run 4 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.6.
See everything Tour Company B.V. runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Amsterdam.
How much does Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam cost?
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Prices start at $23 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 Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 719 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 Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam?
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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 Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam?
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Around 252 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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam 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 Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam?
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Included: Visit clog museum (wooden shoemaker shop); Amsterdam Canal Cruise Voucher ( if option selected); Snacks; Visit cheesefarm incl. Dutch cheese tasting; and Windmill Cruise Zaanse Schans (if option selected). Not included: Food and drinks; Hotel pickup and drop-off; and Entry fee inside windmills at Zaanse Schans. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam?
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Check-in is at the white Stromma building (Stationsplein 4), a 1-min walk from Amsterdam Central's city-side exit. Look straight ahead/slightly left across the square. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. 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 Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam?
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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.
Is Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Strollers and luggage can be accommodated in the storage compartment beneath the coach bus. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam 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 Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam?
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Across 719 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam?
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There are 6 options to choose from, including Tour in English + CanalCruise, English + Windmill Cruise, NON Guided tour, Tour in German. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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