Zaandam

Travel Guide
Zaanse Schans
Go for a boat ride on the Zaan, go shopping in Amsterdam, explore the countryside and learn about the past in one of the many museums at this cute destination.

Leave the rat race behind and visit Zaandam where you can not only admire traditional architecture but also enjoy beautiful nature. It's also the perfect base for a day trip to Amsterdam.

The area around Zaandam has been inhabited for centuries and is rich in cultural heritage. Through the centuries, the area developed its own identity with a typical architecture and traditional costumes. You can still see some of it today at Zaanse Schans, for example.

If you'd like to know what the area once looked like Zaanse Schans is a must. Loads of old windmills and houses were moved here from the rest of the region in the 1960s. Enjoy the beautiful countryside and get an idea of what the Netherlands once looked like. Another point of interest is Czaar Peterhuisje (Czar Peter House), one of the oldest wooden houses in the Netherlands. The house is named after the Russian czar Peter the Great who stayed here in 1697.

Combine your visit to Zaandam with a day in Amsterdam! The city is just 10 minutes away by train. Visit Museumplein with all the famous museums, go shopping in Kalverstraat or just watch people from a sidewalk café. Zaandam is close to the coast so you could even spend a relaxing day in Zandvoort or Wijk aan Zee.

Zaandam is easy to explore on foot. Stroll through the streets, along the Zaan or go walking at Zaanse Schans. You can also hire a bicycle and cycle to the Schans. Motorists can park on the street for a fee or in one of the many parking garages.

Zaandam is near Amsterdam and can be reached by train and bus or car, of course. Follow signs to the city, park your car and take a seat at a sidewalk café or hire a bicycle and cycle to Zaanse Schans.

Zaandam's convenient location gives you easy access to beautiful countryside, traditional architecture and big cities such as Amsterdam.

Where to stay in Zaandam

Zaanse Schans showing a house

Zaanse Schans

Travellers enjoy Zaanse Schans for its museums and coffee shops. 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$191 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$191
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zaandam. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
"Beautiful room, wonderfully located and great value."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
Dikker & Thijs Hotel
Dikker & Thijs Hotel
4 out of 5
Prinsengracht 444, Amsterdam
The price is S$263 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
S$263
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star historic hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Property overall is great! Street noise is very loud. Most of our 7 nights there was music, partying in the streets until 4am. Amenities are very minimal, and you must turn in your room key every time you leave the hotel, which is a pain at times. Building is a little dated, but cleanliness was top ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar,2024

Dikker & Thijs Hotel
ibis Amsterdam Centre
ibis Amsterdam Centre
3 out of 5
Stationsplein 49, Amsterdam
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$235 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$235
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,094 reviews)
"Ideal for getting around."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,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. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (845 reviews)
"Overall our stay was excellent. We enjoyed having a bar/restaurant right in the building. The room was clean and very spacious despite being a studio. The welcome package of dish tabs and other goodies was a nice touch. Staff was friendly and helpful. The beds were very comfortable . The only negative ..."

Reviewed on 15 Mar,2024

Cityden Zuidas
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. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (127 reviews)
"Comfortable bed, friendly, knowledgeable staff and top-notch boutique hotel atmosphere. Will definitely stay again if we return to Amsterdam!"

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2024

The July - Boat & Co
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Amsterdam
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Amsterdam
3.5 out of 5
Parnassusweg 376, Amsterdam
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified aparthotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Anne Frank House ...
9/10 Wonderful! (62 reviews)
"Our family of four stayed in a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment for 3 nights. Check-in was fast and straightforward; local government tax was levied upon checkout. Great views of the business district from the apartment. Metro, tram and train just a couple of minutes’ walk from apartment ..."

Reviewed on 18 Feb,2024

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Amsterdam
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Zaandam

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
63
" "5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
34
" "4 - Good 32.38095238095238%
3 - Okay
7
" "3 - Okay 6.666666666666667%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.9523809523809523%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Mar 2020

Typical dutch town,well worth a visit.

3/5 - Okay

Julie
17 Feb 2020

Nothing in Xaandaam apart from rotting canals and tourist like shops . The two restaurants we ate in were terrible .

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
10 Feb 2020

A refreshing change from Amsterdam

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Feb 2020

everything is amazing architectural buildings colours train ride to amsterdam centraal only around 12 minutes.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Jan 2020

The pedestrianised street on the other side of the station from the hotel is very pretty.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

Beautiful little town very pretty buildings good bars.