Netherlands · Culture

Zaanse Schans Windmills Village, Volendam and Ferry to Marken

8 Hours Pickup service provided in Zaandam. to Drop-off service provided in Zaandam. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the historic windmill village of Zaanse Schans
  • 02 Enter one working windmill with included admission
  • 03 Watch a traditional wooden shoe making demonstration
  • 04 Enjoy a cheese tasting at Catharina Hoeve
  • 05 Visit the lakeside fishing town of Volendam
  • 06 Cross to Marken by local ferry
  • 07 Discover Marken’s old harbour and Church Neighbourhood
  • 08 Visit the included Marker Museum

Discover some of the Netherlands’ most iconic countryside sights on this full-day journey to Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken. Explore the historic windmill village of Zaanse Schans, where traditional wooden houses, workshops, and working windmills bring the 18th and 19th centuries to life. Visit one included windmill, watch a wooden shoe demonstration, and enjoy a cheese tasting at Catharina Hoeve.

Continue to the fishing town of Volendam, known for its lakeside dike, traditional Dutch cheese, and local fish specialties. Then board the ferry to Marken and step into the history of this former island, with time to visit its old harbour area, the Church Neighbourhood, and the included Marker Museum. With transport, ferry tickets, and guiding included, this is an easy and scenic way to experience classic Dutch culture in a single day.

You will feel like you have stepped into a Dutch painting.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Zaandam, Volendam
Languages Dutch, English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Meet your guide at the designated location

Your driver/ guide will pick you up at the agreed meeting point.

Visit Zaanse Schans

In the 18th and 19th centuries, a collection of functional windmills, wooden homes, stables, and shops may be seen in the windmill town of Zaanse Schans, which is an outdoor museum. All of these structures were relocated here starting in 1961, revitalizing the Zaan region’s most profitable era.

Enter one windmill which is included in your excursion, and see how these wind-powered industries operate. Get out on the balcony to experience the power of the wind yourself and to enjoy the lovely view of the countryside.

Access ticket to one of these windmills: Oil mill: De Bonte Hen or De Zoeker. Sawmill Het Jonge Schaap or dye mill De Kat.

Join a clog shoe demonstration at the wooden shoe workshop of the Zaanse Schans village.

Clog Museum (Zaanse Schans)

Still manufacturing wooden shoes using the same old machinery that was used more than a century ago. Both young and elderly find the process to be a fascinating spectacle.

Cheese Tasting at the Catharinahoeve

Learn the craft of making cheese in the Netherlands by visiting a cheese farm in Catharina Hoeve.

Volendam

You will visit the iconic dike in Volendam with a view on the lakeside. Visit a cheese shop still making cheese using a traditional Dutch method, and join a demonstration about Volendam cheese.

Volendam is a former fishing town and known for its great fish specialties, the famous Dutch “Salty Haring’, ‘Smoked Eel”and Smoked Mackerel. Here you can have a traditional fish for lunch.

Boat from Volendam to Marken

It’s time to get onboard the local ferry in Volendam to cross the serene waters to Marken. Admire the stunning landscapes along the way. You will feel like you have stepped into a Dutch painting. The boat will take you right to the old and idyllic harbour of Marken.

Visit Marken

Visit the old traditional island Marken. You will visit an old harbour house of Sytje Boes, a legendary woman from the rich history of Marken and the ‘Church Neighbourhood’ (Kerkbuurt). You step right into the history of this beautiful island. Visit the Marker museum included in this trip.

The tour ends at the designated departure location.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Pickup service provided in Zaandam. to Drop-off service provided in Zaandam. 2 cities · 8 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Driver guide or driver and tour guide.
  • 8-hour tour.
  • Zaanse Schans village guided tour.
  • Tickets to one windmill at Zaanse Schans.
  • Wooden shoe making demonstration.
  • Cheese sampling.
  • Visit Volendam.
  • Volendam-Marken ferry.
  • Visit Marken.
  • Transportation.
  • Bottled water.

What's Not Included

  • Food and beverage.
  • Gratuities for the guide(s).

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Zaandam.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Zaandam.
Tour end
Drop-off service provided in Zaandam.
End of the journey

Your 8 hours run from Pickup service provided in Zaandam. to Drop-off service provided in Zaandam..

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