Tours in Zaandam
Explore the best tours, activities, and attractions in Zaandam to make your trip unforgettable.
Top 7 most popular tours and activities in Zaandam
Tour to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken
Discover the Best of the Dutch Countryside: Windmills, Cheese, Fishing Villages & Optional Canal CruiseEscape the city and explore the beauty of the Dutch countryside on this unforgettable day trip from Amsterdam. Visit Zaanse Schans, a historic village famous for its iconic windmills, wooden houses, and traditional workshops. Learn how these powerful structures helped shape the Netherlands and snap amazing photos of one of the country’s most photogenic sights.Continue to Edam, renowned for its world-famous cheese. Walk through its charming old town, visit the square where the historic Edam Cheese Market once thrived, and admire picturesque canals and 17th-century architecture that transport you back in time.Then, near the colorful fishing village of Volendam, stop at a family-run cheese farm for a live demonstration on how Gouda and Edam cheeses are made. Taste authentic Dutch flavors and step into a clog workshop, where you’ll discover how these iconic wooden shoes are crafted by hand.In Volendam, enjoy free time at the lively harbor. Try local specialties like fresh herring or crispy kibbeling, shop for souvenirs, or take in the peaceful maritime scenery.Your final countryside stop is Marken, a storybook village with cozy wooden houses, a quaint fishing harbor, and a traditional Protestant church. It’s a quiet, authentic destination where Dutch heritage is beautifully preserved.After returning to Amsterdam, enhance your day with an optional canal cruise. Float past historic buildings, charming bridges, and city landmarks on this relaxing journey through Amsterdam’s famous waterways—an ideal way to experience the city from a unique perspective.IMPORTANTThe visit to Marken may be substituted for safety reasons in bad weather conditions.Please note that this tour is designed to give you a panoramic overview of the Dutch countryside without spending the whole day away from Amsterdam. The idea is to have you back in the city in time to make the most of your afternoon—whether you need to catch a train, head to the airport, join another activity, or simply enjoy Amsterdam at your own pace.That’s why we leave early, and the total duration of the tour is 6.5 hours. It’s a fast-paced itinerary (in a good way 😄), created to help you see several highlights in half day.
Self-Guided Secrets of Zaandam Exploration Game
Zaandam hums with industry and wind, a city shaped by water and willpower. But today, something vital has vanished. Tsar Peter the Great, emperor, shipbuilder, and restless visionary, is in crisis. The blueprints for his newest ship have been stolen, just hours before they are to be revealed. Without them, his grand plans might sink before they ever sail.From the quiet docks to the thrum of hidden alleyways, you must chase whispers, dodge saboteurs, and follow clues only fresh eyes can see. This isn't just about wood and sails. It's about legacy, pride, and a ship called Shtandart that must not be lost to time.You came to explore. You stayed to save the story.What is the Secrets of Zaandam Exploration Game?The Secrets of Zaandam City Game is a self-guided, GPS-based adventure that takes you straight into the historic heart of the city. Designed for curious explorers, this interactive game invites you to uncover Zaandam’s past and present by solving clever puzzles, cracking riddles, and completing photo challenges. Along the way you will discover fascinating stories about the city’s culture, hidden corners, and unique landmarks. Perfect for both visitors and locals, the game is equally enjoyable when played solo or with friends and family.Important InformationDifficulty level: intermediateDuration: 2 hoursTickets: 1 ticket per group (1–4 people, for more players buy additional tickets)Choose a start date/time when booking, but start the game whenever you wantRequired: smartphone with internet connectionWhat makes this game unique?This exploration game transforms sightseeing into an adventure, turning Zaandam into your personal playground of secrets and surprises. Highlights include the striking Inntel Hotel with its stacked Zaan house façades, the historic Tsar Peter House where the emperor once stayed, the symbolic Monument Februaristaking honoring courage during World War II, and the lively Gedempte Gracht shopping street that blends history with modern life. Whether you are discovering hidden alleys or admiring iconic landmarks, the game offers a unique mix of culture, history, and playful discovery.Play alone for an exciting personal quest, or gather your group for a shared adventure. As you progress you will face riddles, puzzles, tricky questions, and photo tasks to score points, collect extra clues, and finally solve the grand mystery. You can pause at any time and continue later, making it flexible to fit your schedule. Compete for the leaderboard, or use the game as a fun team-building challenge with friends, colleagues, or family.How to playAfter booking, you will receive an email with a direct play link. Simply head to the start location at the Monument Februaristaking 1941 and begin the game whenever you are ready. The GPS-based City Game can be paused at any moment, so you are free to continue later at your own pace.Embark on the Secrets of Zaandam City Game and turn your exploration into an unforgettable adventure.
Luxury Private Boat Trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans the Windmill Village Full Day Tour (around 5.5 hours)
Embark on an unforgettable journey from the bustling heart of Amsterdam to the picturesque, open-air museum of Zaanse Schans. Forget the crowds and enjoy the exclusivity of a luxury private boat transfer, offering unparalleled views and comfort as you glide through charming waterways.Your 90-minute scenic transfer one-way will treat you to a unique perspective of the Dutch landscape, transitioning from historic Amsterdam canals to the tranquil Zaan region. Along the way, you'll witness the evolving beauty of the Dutch countryside, eventually arriving at the iconic windmill village.Upon arrival at Zaanse Schans, a knowledgeable local guide will be waiting to lead you on an insightful 2 to 2.5-hour exploration. This isn't just a walk through a village; it's a step back in time. Your guide will bring to life the stories behind the magnificent windmills – once the engines of the Dutch industrial revolution – explaining their functions, from sawing wood to grinding spices and pressing oil.You'll have the opportunity to delve into traditional Dutch crafts and culture, visiting charming wooden houses, workshops, and museums. Witness live demonstrations of clog making, taste freshly made Dutch cheese, and perhaps even step inside an active windmill to understand its inner workings. Your guide will tailor the experience to your interests, ensuring you discover the hidden gems and fascinating history that make Zaanse Schans so special.After your enriching visit, your luxury private boat will be ready to whisk you back to Amsterdam, completing your memorable day out. For your convenience, hotel pick-up is available if your accommodation is located in the city center of Amsterdam, ensuring a seamless start and end to your exclusive adventure.Indulge in a truly unique Dutch experience, combining luxury, comfort, and cultural immersion with our private boat transfer to Zaanse Schans.
Zaanse Schans Windmills Village, Volendam and Ferry to Marken
Upon meeting your guide at the designated location, head for Zaanse Schans, an outdoor museum including wooden homes, shops, and operational windmills from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit the Clog Museum to observe traditional craftsmanship and wooden shoemakers in action. Learn the craft of making cheese in the Netherlands by visiting a cheese farm in Catharina Hoeve.Enter a saw windmill and see how it works. Everything will be explained by the windmill master. Ticket is included in this excursion. Then a visit to the charming town of Volendam where you can walk and absorb the culture. 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 (not included).Take the ferry to Marken where you’ll walk around and learn more about the life and history of this town. Ticket is included in this excursion.
Self-Guided Secrets of Zaanse Schans Exploration Game
Secrets of Exploration Game is a self-guided tour that gives you a fun and interactive way to discover the city. All you need is a phone with an internet connection. As soon as you book the game, we will send you all the information you need via email.Explore the city and engage with its surroundings while you discover the most hidden secrets of the city!To progress, you will encounter challenging puzzles, riddles, and photo tasks that will require you to explore the city. During the game you will learn more about the history, special characters, culture and you will discover many unique facts about the city of your choice. We uncovered Secrets that are unknown even to real locals!IMPORTANT INFORMATION:Difficulty level: intermediateDuration: 2 hoursTickets: You only have to buy 1 ticket per group (1-4 people). Each group will play with 1 device. For groups of more than 4 people, you can buy 2 or more tickets.To book this game you need to indicate a date/time, BUT you can start whenever you like.WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE GAME:Discover the best kept secrets in the city’s historic centre with the Secrets of Exploration Game, an exciting GPS-based exploration game!Whether you want to play alone for personal excitement or with a group of people this is the game for you! Playing with more groups will turn into a competitive experience, perfect as a teambuilding activity. This game is a fun activity you can do while visiting a city. Solve the fun puzzles and questions, complete photo tasks and more in order to score as many points as possible and gain extra clues to help you with the final puzzle. You can even earn a spot on the leaderboard!Our Exploration Game offers the maximum independence, you can play pause & continue whenever you want.HOW TO PLAY:Book the Exploration Game, check the email we send you with the simple instructions, download the Loquiz App, access the Exploration Game and you are ready to begin your gaming experience!
Zaanse Schans Windmills Guided Tour - Half Day from Amsterdam
After meeting your guide at the designated location, head for Zaanse Schans, an outdoor museum including wooden homes, shops, and operational windmills from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit the Clog Museum to observe traditional craftsmanship and wooden shoemakers in action. Learn the craft of making cheese in the Netherlands by visiting a cheese farm in Catharina Hoeve.The tour ends at the designated departure location.
Zaanse Schans Windmills, Edam, Volendam and Marken
After meeting your guide at the designated location, head for Zaanse Schans, an outdoor museum including wooden homes, shops, and operational windmills from the 18th and 19th centuries. Enter a saw windmill in operation and learn all about how the Dutch people use them for in the past. Visit the Clog Museum to observe traditional craftsmanship and wooden shoemakers in action. Learn the craft of making cheese in the Netherlands by visiting a cheese farm in Catharina Hoeve.Then a visit Edam and learn more about its iconic Edam “cheese balls”. After that, we will drive to the charming town of Volendam where you can walk and absorbe the culture. Following this visit, you will be going to Marken where you will walk around and get a perspective of the life and history of this town. No doubt that for a short period you will be caught in the time warp.Visit the iconic and charming villages of Volendam and Marken.The tour ends at the designated departure location.