Zaandam

Travel Guide

Zaanse Schans showing a bridge, a lake or waterhole and a small town or village
Zaandam
Zaanse Schans showing hiking or walking and a park as well as a couple
Zaanse Schans which includes shopping
Zaanse Schans which includes a park

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

You'll enjoy the museums and coffee shops in Zaanse Schans. You might want to make time for a stop at Zaans Museum or Jisper House Museum.

Zaanse Schans
citizenM Schiphol Airport
citizenM Schiphol Airport
4 out of 5
Jan Plezierweg 2, Schiphol
The price is S$174 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
S$174
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Schiphol. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,055 reviews)
"Staying at Schipol´s Citizen M hotel is always very convenient when traveling to the Netherlands, just walking distance to the airport, the rooms are quite comfortable and the food is excellent."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

citizenM Schiphol Airport
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
4.5 out of 5
Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam
The price is S$355 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$355
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,062 reviews)
"Great staff, clean rooms, nice breakfast and very convenient location"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
citizenM Amsterdam South
citizenM Amsterdam South
4 out of 5
Prinses Irenestraat 30, Amsterdam, North Holland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$155 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
S$155
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Literally the best bunch of people that work in a hotel ever, they were angels, what a high vibrational, beautiful place and people to be around."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

citizenM Amsterdam South
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! (973 reviews)
"A nice safe property near public transit"

Reviewed on 19 Jun, 2025

Cityden Zuidas
Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
4 out of 5
285 Schipholweg, Badhoevedorp, NH
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Badhoevedorp. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (414 reviews)
"Excellent. The front office clerk was dealing with rude customers. Ppl need to be more empathetic or try to understand the hospitality industry a bit more amd how it works. She did a great job. Thank you"

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
Bob W Noord
Bob W Noord
2 out of 5
Papaverhof 71, Amsterdam, NH
Stay at this aparthotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and housekeeping. Popular attractions Dam Square and Rijksmuseum are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (66 reviews)
"I did not like the fact that there was no daily cleaning and you had to get supplies for yourself from the communal room. Also, our room was not ready by 3pm and they made is wait for 1 hour. They also charged me 70 Euros for a microwave plate that could easily cost 15 Euros. That is like the cost ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

Bob W Noord
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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Things to do

Reviews of Zaandam

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
63
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
34
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Typical dutch town,well worth a visit.

3/5 - Okay

Julie

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A refreshing change from Amsterdam

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful little town very pretty buildings good bars.