One of the most popular attractions in The Netherlands is the Zaanse Schans. This unique area offers a surprising glimpse into the Netherlands during the 18th and 19th century. There is a lot to discover there. A bakery museum where fresh bread is still baked in an authentic oven. Cheese factories where you’ll see and learn how cheese is made. And off course you can learn all about one of our most famous products: clogs!
You’ll feel like you are traveling back in time strolling through the wooden houses, windmills, and workplaces. The scenery of the typical green wooden houses connected by beautiful bridges is worth a visit of its own. The surroundings and the people at the Zaanse Schans teach and show you everything about Dutch craftsmanship. An insider tip: explore the Zaanse Schans by bike or boat. Make sure to stop every now and then for a visit to one of the following authentic museums:
Zaans Museum
The Zaans Museum is located in the middle of the typical Dutch landscape. The museum reflects the most renowned part of The Netherlands: windmills, industry, and green wooden houses. On top of that, at the Zaans Museum, you’ll experience what the Dutch no-nonsense mentality and mercantile spirit are like.
Bakery Museum
If you smell fresh-baked bread you’re probably close. Visit the bakery museum ‘In de gecroonde Duyvekater’. The original shop, founded in 1658, has a beautiful marble floor and authentic bread oven, full of Dutch delicacies. This is the place to taste the Zaandelicacy ‘duivekater’.
De Tweekoppige Phoenix
At tasting room and liquor store ‘De Tweekoppige Phoenix’ you’ll experience how the exclusive Zaan liquors are being bottled and labeled. The authentic recipes are still being used, making it even more fun to see and taste!
Cheese farm
At De Catharina Hoeve – a replica of an authentic farm from the Oostzaan – cheesemakers in traditional costumes tell you everything about the varying types of cheese. What exactly makes a cheese a typical Gouda Holland-cheese? And what is herb cheese? A demonstration shows you all the steps needed to produce cheese. You’ll decide which one tastes best, because you’re going to try them all.
Wooden Shoes
A log and a chisel that’s all you need to make the famous Dutch shoes. Watch the super-fast clogmakers at work. And behold the biggest and most beautiful clog collection in The Netherlands.
There’s more
There’s so much more to discover. Like a traditional chocolate workshop using 19th-century techniques. Or a visit to the weaver house or tin casting. Get the Zaanse Schans Card and start exploring! For only €15 you’ll be able to visit museums all day long. On top of that, you’ll receive some nice discounts for local shops and restaurants.
Try it yourself!
Have you ever wanted to sleep in a typical green wooden house? Book your stay at the most unique hotel; Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam. This visually stunning 4-star hotel has an impressive façade consisting out of seventy Zaan houses stacked on top of each other. And every room is unique, displaying one of the traditional crafts of Zaandam. And it is only 12 minutes by train to reach Amsterdam from the hotel. Read all about the hotel.
Photo : Samot (Shutterstock)