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Zaanse Schans' historic dutch village

Heading to the Netherlands most likely involves a bucket list of traditional Dutch activities, such as cheese, clogs, and windmills in a quaint little village overflowing with traditional Dutch history.

Zaanse Schan in the Zaandam region won't disappoint you. It's a simple 25-minute train journey from the centre of Amsterdam, making it perfect for a day trip from the capital. A short walk from the Zaandijk Zaanse Scans train station will have you in another world—a world long gone rich in rural culture and Dutch traditions. The small village is well spread out with cheese shops, clog makers, and museums, all within a small area on the riverside surrounded by the Dutch windmills you see in the postcards.


The first thing we noticed was how lush and green the expansive rural setting was, especially considering it was so close to Amsterdam. The walk from the train station was flat and pleasant, with a distinct bitter cocoa aroma in the air from the Olam Cocoa chocolate processing plant.


The village of Zaanse Schan is made up of multiple small buildings with a combination of traditional Dutch shops. See how windmills work, watch a clog being made, taste the cheese directly from the farm or enjoy lunch at one of the local cafes.



There is no entry fee; just wander through the maze of buildings and narrow creeks at your own leisure. It has a very relaxed, laid-back feel. Children will enjoy the interactive parts of the old working village. We found the shop proprietors welcoming and informative.




About the Author

The author of this blog, unless otherwise noted, has no affiliation with any property or business linked in this blog. Unless otherwise noted, there is no free accommodation or payment from any businesses mentioned in this blog. The information contained in this blog is strictly the views of the author and not professional advice. The author of this BookDirect blog is a travel and tourism professional with over 30 years of experience in international hotel management, global travel, short-term rental management and a tourism awards judge specialising in accommodation and attractions.

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