From Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Volendam & Marken Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Take a day trip by bus from Amsterdam for a comfortable 5,5-hour break into deep-rooted Dutch tradition, traveling beyond breathtaking countryside with free Wi-Fi and getting carried away by the iconic windmills.
The experience focuses squarely on the magnificent Zaanse Schans and the charming fishing village of Volendam. At first, Zaanse Schans welcomes you to a village like no other; walk around at leisure, admire the perfectly preserved windmills and quaint old houses, and then continue to the lively fishing village of Volendam. There, visit a cheese shop where the old ways are still used, and enjoy an instructive Volendam cheese presentation.
Choose your adventure:
-The Classic Tour includes the captivating art of clog-making and a cheesemaking demonstration.
-The All-In Tour offers the full flavour: cheese, clogs, a cruise on the Marken Express, entry to a working windmill, and a sweet stop at Woltje's Bakery: taste a real Dutch stroopwafel!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children up to and including 3 years old are free of charge (not occupying a seat)
What To Expect
Zaanse Schans
The Zaanse Schans is a charming historic village near Amsterdam, known for its iconic Dutch windmills and traditional green wooden houses. Visitors can stroll along the scenic riverbanks, explore artisan workshops, and see how clogs and cheese are made. A highlight is the row of functioning windmills, each with a unique purpose like sawing wood or grinding spices. With the all-inclusive tour, you can step inside one of these windmills for a fascinating look at Dutch engineering in action. It’s a perfect day trip for experiencing the Netherlands' rich cultural heritage.
Volendam
Volendam is a picturesque fishing village on the IJsselmeer, famous for its old harbor, colorful boats, and traditional Dutch costumes. Once home to a thriving fishing community, it still reflects its maritime roots in every corner. Strolling through the village, you’ll find charming streets, fresh seafood, and friendly locals. With the all-inclusive tour, you can also visit a local cheese factory to see how Dutch cheese is made and enjoy a tasting. It’s a delightful blend of culture, history, and local flavor.
Options
All-inclusive Tour
Extra to the Classic option: syrup waffle and clog making demo, windmill, traditional marker house visit and boat trip incl.
Classic Tour
Visit to the Zaanse Schans, Volendam & Marken by luxurious bus are included. A cheese demonstration is also included.
What‘s Included
Clog making demonstration with operating antique steam engine
Transport by luxurious air-conditioned bus
Cheese demonstration
Visit inside operating windmill (only on All-Inclusive Tour)
30 minute boat tour between Volendam and Marken (only on All-Inclusive Tour)
Hotel pickup and drop off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
4,619 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wooden shoe factory demo
Ali K,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00In my opinion the visit to the wooden shoe factory was a bit of waste of time, by the time we arrived by bus we only saw the last bit of the demonstration. It should have been better coordinated either group arrived by boat.
Amazing day with Juan and team
elisahJ604AG,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have had an amazing day today with tourguide Juan and his team! He knows very well how to handle a big group but also give any of us his attention. You can tell he has a lof of experience. We also loved the workshops at the location. Thanks and till next time!!
Amazing visit to Amsterdam's historical locations. Well worth the time spent. When short of time, it's a Must do!
Surjan S,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great way to understand the history in a few hrs when short of time in Amsterdam. Well worth the time and $$. It's very professionally organised too. Much appreciated and will suggest others to do so too. Our coordinator Diane was brilliant !!
Misleading disappointing trip and not good value for what you actually get
cbY4326KP,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.001/5 – Disappointing and Misleading Tour We booked the Windmills & Countryside All-In tour expecting a quality day trip from Amsterdam. Unfortunately, while there were a few enjoyable moments, the overall experience was extremely disappointing and fell well short of what was advertised. The problems started with the "luxury" coach. The air conditioning was clearly inadequate, particularly upstairs where passengers were left sitting in uncomfortable heat for long periods. It made the journey unpleasant from the outset. One of the main attractions advertised was visiting a working windmill. However, during the demonstration we were informed that the windmill was actually a replica built between 2005 and 2007. This was not what we expected when booking a windmill tour and felt misleading. We were also promised the opportunity to see clogs being made. In reality, the demonstration area was overcrowded and our guide, Carlos, simply told people to "squeeze in the back" where it was impossible to properly see what was happening. As a result, we paid for an experience that we couldn't actually watch. When I raised concerns with Carlos about the overcrowding and inability to see the demonstration, he showed little interest. Afterwards he appeared more interested in chatting and walking alongside Brenda than assisting guests. At one point he shook his head and laughed while speaking to someone beside him after I had raised my concerns, which I found dismissive and unprofessional. Another disappointment was the advertised boat trip, which turned out to be little more than a public transport ferry crossing. During the tour I emailed a complaint to the company and received an apology together with instructions to send my complaint to a different email address. After doing so, I immediately received an automated response advising that they were busy and it could take up to two days for someone to reply. That was particularly frustrating given that the issues were occurring while we were actually on the tour and could potentially have been addressed in real time. To be fair, some of the locations visited were pleasant and parts of the day were enjoyable. However, when you spend good money on an organised tour, you expect the advertised highlights to be delivered and the guide to be engaged with guests rather than dismissive of concerns. Overall, this tour did not deliver the experience advertised. We finished the day having neither visited what most people would consider a working windmill nor properly seen a clog-making demonstration. I would not recommend this tour based on our experience.
Disappointed
Roy P,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The cheese tasting in Volendam was a complete waste of time. Unfortunately our tour guide provided little information as the tour went along. The time in zaans schans was very brief. There was too little time to enjoy the location.
Warning! Not for anyone with disability or mobility issues! 5 km walking required
Laura S,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00The description made no mention of the enormous amount of walking to get from coach to locale. 5 long walks of almost 1 km each- sounds easy but when you are 80 with a cane, it’s not. Carlos was very dismissive of my husbands disability and not at all helpful. Alexia was a bit better but still they have no idea what is “just over there”. What takes most people 10 minutes to walk takes my husband an hour. The website needs to have disclaimers, and the guides should have some training on alternative options- we asked to stay in the coach once and were told it was better to do the walking This was a horrible experience!
Compact and affordable
Raymond S,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very compact and affordable. Foods are very good. Itinerary is also good. Highly recommend. Yes and yes.
Great time for all.
David K,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. Well planned tour. Tour guides top notch. Hit all the major sites outside Amsterdam. Bus transport clean, new and roomy. Highly recommend.
Interesting and informative
458hf1,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Interesting and informative excursion. Very good tour guide (Mercedes) and comfortable coach.
Good tour
Denis B,May 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great sights. Guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Reasonable price. Windmills were particularly interesting.
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