Private Tour to Zaanse Schans Mills Edam Volendam Marken
New To The Site!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
6 to 7 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Overview
Discover the Dutch countryside on a tailor-made V.I.P. tour where you can wander around its typical houses, taste a plate of fried fish in its taverns or sit in front of the lake in the port of Marken.
This excursion combines the best of traditional Holland, 16th century mills in a rural landscape with peat meadows protected due to their architectural, historical and landscape value.
You will see unique magical villages where the blue of the sky mixes with the fields, mills, the smell of cocoa, the boats that sail along the river next to 17th century houses. You will be able to see how the typical Dutch clogs are made, you will think you are dreaming of another time!
You will learn part of the history of this country with a qualified guide, who will explain to you about the engineering of its canals, construction of its polders, drainage of lakes, construction of dams, architecture, economy. When you finish this tour it will undoubtedly be one of your best experiences on this vacation.
What's Included
- Snacks Dutch cheese tasting
- Private transportation
- Water
- Demonstration of how traditional wooden clogs are made in the region
- Tasting of typical Dutch cookies
- Guide
- Lunch or dinner
- Tips
Meeting Location
Meeting point
De Ruijterkade
1011 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Het Twiske (Pass By)
On the way to Zaanse Schans we will pass Het Twiske, a nature and recreation reserve and a typical North Dutch peat lake area in the Zaan region. It is located north of Amsterdam-Noord, between the villages of Landsmeer, Oostzaan and Den Ilp.In 2012, Het Twiske was designated a Natura 2000 area. It is an EU initiative to protect and preserve nature of great biological, aesthetic or economic value. The flora and fauna found in Het Twiske are of European importance due to the presence of wet grasslands, marsh areas and fresh waters which are important for the protection of wigeons. These birds winter in large numbers at Stootersplas, but black-tailed godwit, moustached godwit, bittern and marsh harrier can also be found there. Het Twiske is a protected breeding site for all these birds.
Zaanse Schans
In this wonderful village located in Kalverpolder, it is a landscape with peat meadows protected due to its architectural, historical and landscape value.
You will see a unique, magical village where the blue of the sky mixes with the fields, mills, goats, the smell of cocoa, the boats that sail next to houses from the 17th century. You will be able to see how clogs are made, you will daydream!
You will see windmills that were used to drain polders, build this country, dry lakes, build ships.
These were also used to derail barley, grind grain, cut wood, make paper, spices, mustard, fabrics.
Of the 9,000 windmills that once stood, only 1,000 remain today. For this reason, in 1961, architects Jaap Schipper and Cornelis de Jong created the Zaanse Schans project to preserve the national heritage, since the windmills were replaced by steam engines, diesel engines, combustion engines, etc. due to the industrial revolution.
You can't miss it!
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Klompenmakerij
The wooden clog workshop was the first company to be established in Zaanse Schans.
De Vrede, an 18th century warehouse, was intended for the storage of grain, tobacco and flour. "In this warehouse they decided to preserve the art of wooden clog making and to make it a museum collection.
In the 19th century, industrialisation and increasing prosperity caused the demand for wooden clogs to decline, especially in urban areas, which also caused the number of wooden clog makers to decline. More than a century ago, more than 8,000 people worked in the wooden clog making industry; now there are only a dozen left. Fortunately, Jaap Kooijman managed to save several old wooden clog making machines from being thrown away. Clogs are used by farmers to protect their feet from rain, heavy machinery and to be passed down from generation to generation. Here you can try on these beautiful wooden clogs.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Wijdewormer (Pass By)
On this route we will pass through a polder with numerous farms, villas and extensive farmland. Through Wijdewormer with the Natura 2000 area of Twiske.
In the Middle Ages, Wijdewormer was an inland sea called "Wormermeer", with the village of "Nek", today's village of Neck, as a fishing village. In 1626 the "Wormer" was reclaimed and became the 1,666 hectare piece of land that Wijdewormer reclaimed. Unlike many other reclaimed lands in the province of North Holland, Wijdewormer was filled with fresh water and there was no ebb and flow. Therefore there was no open connection to the sea. During the 17th century, Wijdewormer became a granary for the Zaan region, where ships were built.
Edam
Edam is the best preserved pearl of the North of Holland. With its magical charm, this town surrounded by canals, Renaissance mansions, hydrangea gardens, tea houses, will make you feel like you are entering a fairy tale.
It all began in the 12th century, when farmers and fishermen settled on the banks of the river, built a port, and grew as a commercial city. They obtained great wealth through the construction of their 33 shipyards, their ships, and fishing, which allowed them to engage in foreign trade. Thanks to this, Edam became one of the most prosperous cities in Holland with a buoyant economy. Its sublime and preserved facades from the 18th century make this town a unique and fascinating place.
Edam was not only a great shipping area, by granting it a permit to produce and hold a cheese fair every week, it created a great boost to the local economy. Cheeses that we will taste on your visit! You cannot miss this trip full of charm.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Jacobs Hoeve Cheese Farm by Henri Willig
Jacobs Hoeve Cheese Farm and Jersey Organic Farm
Katwoude is located on the IJsselmeerdijk between Monnickendam and Volendam. The rural setting with farms is typical of the North Holland polder, the breeding ground for the famous Dutch cheeses. At the bottom of the dike lies the atmospheric Jacobs Hoeve. Upon arrival, our staff in original costumes will show you how the cheese is made. The cosy shop offers a wide selection of exclusive cheeses, souvenirs and typical Dutch delicacies.
Here we will make a delicious free tasting of more than 35 types of Dutch cheeses from sheep, cow, goat and mixed cheeses. We can accompany this with a delicious typical Dutch beer or a wine. (Drinks are subject to charge)
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Volendam
Volendam, the former fishing village on the Markermeer, known for its traditional costumes, its music and its fresh fish and seafood.
In many parts of this picturesque village you will see its locals still dressed in traditional costumes and mosaics made from millions of cigar labels.
You will also see its labyrinth of beautiful wooden houses, which breathe the authentic atmosphere of the past. It is wonderful to walk along the Dijk and see one of the largest lakes in Europe.Souvenir shops open seven days a week. Restaurants with a Volendammer atmosphere, where a large part of the menu is made up of fish. Freshly caught from the water to the plate. In the port where fish was once auctioned, the 1934 fish auction is still preserved. Here we can taste these delicious typical Dutch dishes at any of its stalls.Do you fancy a traditional costume? You can dress up yourself and have your photo taken with one of the Dijk photographers: a nice souvenir.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Volendam Haven
Gastronomic delights in Volendam
Volendam has a large number of restaurants and fish stalls, as it is a fishing village. Due to its location on the water, fish is one of Volendam's star products, so here we will taste some of its delicious typical fish dishes such as kibbeling, herring / haring, paling smoked fish, salmon, oysters. In short, we can indulge our palate, all accompanied by a good wine or champagne. To finish the gourmet touch, a lush dessert of pofertjes or Stroop Wafels.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Waterland (Pass By)
From Volendam to Marken we will go around Europe's largest artificial freshwater lake. Due to a great flood in 1916 which washed away a large part of Waterland, leaving Marken with floating houses, dead people, destroyed villages, the Netherlands decided to close itself off from the sea. The Zuiderzee became the IJsselmeer. Lives were protected, but all the fishermen, sailors, and people who made sails for ships were left without work. Many of them tried to establish fishing in the North Sea but this was not possible in the long term due to the distance. Before the closure, the Zuiderzee was an important source of income for fishermen. Especially herring and anchovy fishing. After the completion of the 32 km Afsluitdijk, the salt water gradually became fresher. As a result, most of the fish disappeared, only eel, pikeperch and smelt managed to survive. In this lake we will be able to see part of the world's migratory birds.
Marken
The story of a fairy-tale village
A great feat of engineering involved joining an island in the middle of Lake Ijssel with the rest of the peninsula. In the 13th century, a group of priests arrived in Marken and lived for years farming and fishing in the sea. In the 15th century, a third of the island was consumed by the waters. In order to be able to live with the forces of nature, the inhabitants of Marken built wooden stilt houses on the island that allowed them to control the currents and stay safe.
In the 20th century, Marken attracted attention because they could not imagine that a small magical village full of charm still preserved the authentic Dutch culture.
In 1957, a dam was built that linked Marken with the rest of Holland, from which it was considered a peninsula instead of an island. We will see a dream village, you will never have seen anything like it. Houses with beautiful structures on hills, on stilt houses, surrounded by sheep, a lake and colorful boats
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Marken (Pass By)
Zeedijk Marken
The former island of Marken, now connected by a dam to the mainland, is now connected to Waterland. On this route I will introduce you to the special character of this former island. There are so many beautiful historic buildings to see here that almost all of Marken enjoys a protected townscape! On the way to Marken, you can quietly reach it via the dike and enjoy the view of Marken, which is slowly approaching. We will see along the water: on one side the Gouwzee and on the other the IJsselmeer lake.
Werven
Marken was originally built on quays: artificial hills two or three metres high that residents used to throw manure, grass and household waste on to protect themselves from flooding. Since the construction of the Afsluitdijk in 1932, the danger of flooding has of course passed, but the quays remain, as do the characteristic wooden houses on stilts.
Additional Info
- It is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking on a large scale.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child seats or chairs are available upon request and advance notice.
- It is possible to go in a wheelchair if someone can push the chair or she can do it herself and get in and out of the car alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
(7)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Tour to Zaanse Schans Mills Edam Volendam Marken?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-486129P2
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Private Tour to Zaanse Schans Mills Edam Volendam Marken?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Snacks. Dutch cheese tasting.
- Private transportation.
- Water.
- Demonstration of how traditional wooden clogs are made in the region.
- Tasting of typical Dutch cookies.
- Guide.
The following is NOT included:
- Lunch or dinner.
- Tips.
Q:
What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Private Tour to Zaanse Schans Mills Edam Volendam Marken is as follows:
- It is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking on a large scale.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Tour to Zaanse Schans Mills Edam Volendam Marken will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- SnacksDutch cheese tasting
- Private transportation
- Water
- Demonstration of how traditional wooden clogs are made in the region
- Tasting of typical Dutch cookies
- Guide
- Lunch or dinner
- Tips
Additional Info
- It is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking on a large scale.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child seats or chairs are available upon request and advance notice.
- It is possible to go in a wheelchair if someone can push the chair or she can do it herself and get in and out of the car alone.
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