Zaandam

Travel Guide
Zaanse Schans
See how a traditional windmill works and marvel at this picturesque small city’s unique mix of modern and old typically Dutch architecture.

Zaandam is a small city that is around 5 minutes north by train from Amsterdam. With its working windmills and traditional factories, the city’s De Zaanse Schans neighborhood produces everything from cheese and chocolate to typically Dutch wooden shoes.

Stand back and look at the new and completely unique architecture of the city hall and central shopping arcade that dominates the center of Zaandam. A modern interpretation of the traditional green painted Zaan-style houses, one of the most striking buildings is the Inntel Hotel that resembles layers of houses stacked on top of each other. Love it or loathe it, it is something that must be seen to be believed.

Head out to De Zaanse Schans near Zaandijk for a glimpse of Dutch life in the 17th and 18th centuries. Marvel at the neighborhood’s many colorful windmills and admire the green Zaan-style traditional wooden houses that are reflected so neatly in the canals. Browse the small museums and sample the traditional treats, ranging from cheese to sweets, that are made in small artisan workshops. Visit the arts and crafts shops to find a typically Dutch souvenir.

While at De Zaanse Schans, make sure you don’t miss the Zaans Museum. This museum gives an insight into the history and trading of the local area. It also includes the Verkade Experience, a tour of a still functioning chocolate and biscuit factory from the early 20th century. Of course, sampling the products will be the highlight of your time at the museum. End your visit with the small Claude Monet presentation, which highlights this French artist’s visit to the area in 1871.

Monet also painted the Blauwe Huis van Monet (Monet’s Blue House), a still partly blue corner house that you can find in the center of Zaandam. Another house with an interesting past is the Tsaar Peterhuisje (Czar Peter’s House). Czar Peter from Russia actually stayed here during a visit to the region in 1697. Built in 1632, it is one of the oldest wooden houses in the Netherlands.

Zaandam not only offers a great opportunity to see and taste Dutch history and heritage, but to also get a glimpse of the fascinating road the Dutch are taking towards the future.

Where to stay in Zaandam

Zaanse Schans which includes a house

Zaanse Schans

5/5(1 area review)

Travelers enjoy Zaanse Schans for its museums and coffeehouses. Consider checking out Zaans Museum while you're in the area.

Zaanse Schans
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
4 out of 5
Provincialeweg 102, Zaandam
The price is CA $141 per night from Jun. 2 to Jun. 3
CA $141
CA $177 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zaandam. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Great place to stay if visiting Amsterdam. Quick train ride there and back. Facilities good-gym could use more items like dumbbells,kettle bells. Sauna and steam room are great but didn’t work early morning."

Reviewed on May 23, 2024

Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
4 out of 5
Amstel 144, Amsterdam
The price is CA $247 per night from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24
CA $247
CA $301 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (744 reviews)
"Very good location. Staff very friendly and helpful. Only problem is the very small room despite being "superior"."

Reviewed on May 24, 2024

Eden Hotel Amsterdam
ibis Amsterdam Centre
ibis Amsterdam Centre
3 out of 5
Stationsplein 49, Amsterdam
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $212 per night from Jun. 9 to Jun. 10
CA $212
CA $258 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,139 reviews)
"Right next to Amsterdam train station making it ideal for a city break and then getting back to the airport with minimal fuss."

Reviewed on May 23, 2024

ibis Amsterdam Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cityden Zuidas
Cityden Zuidas
4 out of 5
Professor J.H. Bavincklaan 3, Amstelveen
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Amstelveen. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (863 reviews)
"Lovely place with a great sized room and very easy to commute to and from into Amsterdam. Good set of amenities! Very easy to go upstairs and grab food or drinks too if you want. Staff were extremely helpful and friendly. For 3 guests in one room, a nice touch would be a small chest of drawers somewhere ..."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Cityden Zuidas
Amsterdam ID Aparthotel
Amsterdam ID Aparthotel
3 out of 5
Naritaweg 51, Amsterdam
Stay at this 3-star spa aparthotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Anne Frank House and Leidseplein ...
9/10 Wonderful! (828 reviews)
"We had an enjoyable stay. It’s handy to the rail and bus station and an easy trip in from the airport. Bonus was that we could do a full load of laundry there for around 7€. Helpful staff on the front desk."

Reviewed on May 23, 2024

Amsterdam ID Aparthotel
The July - Boat & Co
The July - Boat & Co
4 out of 5
500 Revaleiland, Amsterdam, NH
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (129 reviews)
"Absolutely fantastic stay in a beautiful hotel with superb staff. Amazing room and great facilities. Lovely local area and easy walk into the centre. Would strongly recommend."

Reviewed on Apr. 24, 2024

The July - Boat & Co
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Zaandam

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 59.09090909090909%
4 - Good
7
" "4 - Good 31.818181818181817%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 9.090909090909092%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Oct. 30, 2019

Loved Zaanse Schans!

5/5 - Excellent

Liliana
Oct. 28, 2019

Loved Zaandam !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jul. 28, 2019

Get away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam yet close to Schiphol and central Amsterdam by train. Good restaurants and shopping.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
May 19, 2019

Zaandam is a nice place to visit, unfortunately we only have one and a half day there, may be will spend a little more time on next visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Mar. 11, 2019

Very nice little town which has some decent dining options and a very short train ride to Amsterdam and zaanse schans

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 6, 2019

Zaandam is its own little city with a great shopping centre. Anything you could want is there, including the best fries called Vlaames Fritehuis. Soooo good, we at there 3 times in 5 days lol.

Cities near Zaandam