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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$147 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
S$147
29 Jul - 30 Jul
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! (3,060 reviews)
"Good place if you want to try an unconventional and cool hotel"

Reviewed on 11 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$354 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$354
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! (2,091 reviews)
"Very convenient to Amsterdam Central station shopping and restaurants"

Reviewed on 15 Jul, 2025

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center

4.5 out of 5
Rusland 17, Amsterdam
The price is S$412 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
S$412
4 Aug - 5 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 helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Love the rooms and the hotel was great"

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
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
Adagio Amsterdam City South

Adagio Amsterdam City South

3.5 out of 5
Professor J H Bavinckln 5, Amstelveen, NL
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Amstelveen. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (466 reviews)
"Good apartment, clean and comfy, but way too hot - the ventilation did nothing to cool the room."

Reviewed on 30 May, 2025

Adagio Amsterdam City South
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! (421 reviews)
"The buffet was great and the apartment was spacious."

Reviewed on 13 Jul, 2025

Corendon Apartments Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel
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%
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.