Magpie
5.0(3 reviews)

Dutch Windmill & Village Tour

From€508
6 hours
Amsterdam, Netherlands

About this activity

Experience the charm of Dutch culture with visits to iconic windmills, historic villages, and a traditional lunch on this guided day trip from Amsterdam.

Highlights

  • Explore iconic windmills at Zaanse Schans
  • Discover Edam's historic cheese market
  • Stroll through Volendam's picturesque harbor
  • Experience traditional wooden clog making
  • Visit Marken's charming fishing village

Full description

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Netherlands on this captivating day trip from Amsterdam. Visit the iconic windmills of Zaanse Schans, where you'll learn about traditional Dutch milling techniques. Wander through the historic streets of Edam, renowned for its world-famous cheese market, and savor the flavors of local cheeses. Explore the picturesque harbor of Volendam, a traditional fishing village, and witness the art of wooden clog making. Conclude your journey in Marken, a quaint island village known for its well-preserved wooden houses and maritime history. Throughout the tour, enjoy comfortable transportation and a traditional Dutch lunch featuring local specialties, ensuring a memorable and authentic experience. This excursion offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary delights, providing a comprehensive insight into the Dutch way of life.

Included / Excluded

  • Transportation in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Guided visits to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken
  • Traditional Dutch lunch with local specialties
  • Personal expenses and gratuities

Itinerary

1

Meet your driver guide at the designated location in Amsterdam and head to Zaanse Schans, an outdoor museum with 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.

Duration: 3 hoursAdmission: YES
2

Still manufacturing wooden shoes using the same old machinery that was used more than a century ago. Both young and elderly find the process to be a fascinating spectacle.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
3

Nothing says “Dutch” like cheese! Visit the Catharina Hoeve Farm to sample some.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
4

As you walk through the cobble stones in Edam, you will be merged into a historical and charming town. Edam is the birthplace of Edam cheese, the small, often red cheese ball that has been transported to all corners of the world for centuries.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

Edam is the birthplace of Edam cheese, the small, often red cheese ball that has been transported to all corners of the world for centuries. But there is much more to experience in this authentic village, which dates all the way back to the 12th century. Here you will visit The Story of Edam Cheese Museum. You will receive a 10% discount on any purchases at the cheese store.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES
6

Visit the old traditional island Marken. You will visit an old harbour house of Sytje Boes, Marker Museum and the ‘Church Neighbourhood’ (Kerkbuurt). You step right into the history of this beautiful island.

Duration: 1h 30mAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

You will visit the iconic dike in Volendam with a view on the lakeside. Volendam is a former fishing town and known for its great fish specialties, the famous Dutch “Salty Haring’, ‘Smoked Eel”and Smoked Mackerel which you can purchase or arrange a lunch at a restaurant with us.

Duration: 1h 30mAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Important information

Know before you book

  • This tour operates in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
  • Vegetarian and other dietary options are available upon request; inform the tour operator in advance.
  • The tour involves moderate walking; consider your comfort and mobility.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for cobblestone streets.
  • Bring a camera to capture the picturesque landscapes and historic sites.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly for outdoor activities.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Service Animals Allowed

Good to know

  • The remaining tour time is allotted for the travel time from pick up until drop off as well as countryside sightseeing.
  • Minivan is not adequate for transporting wheelchairs.

Traveler reviews

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Volendam..the land of windmills

Beautiful small typical Dutch village .. seems to have gone back in time .. to visit cheese stands .. the factory of typical wooden clogs with demonstration on how to make them and its small museum .. as well as chocolate shop and for the wealthiest there is also the diamond shop ..

marcorB501DNDec 20, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Perfect!

Very good experience! The guide and the bus driver were very pleasant! The vocabulary used was easy to understand even for French who are not bilingual. The people we met at the scene were very invested. I had a nice time I highly recommend

leguenn2025Jun 3, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Kiran is excellent!

Kiran was excellent! Very knowledgeable and personable and bought great energy to the tour. Windmills, clogs, cheese and a beautiful fishing village — all packed into a few hours! What could be better? Bravo!

Jefferson WDec 11, 2024TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

The remaining tour time is allotted for the travel time from pick up until drop off as well as countryside sightseeing. Minivan is not adequate for transporting wheelchairs.
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