Viator · group up to 50 pax

Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans Windmills Guided Day Trip from Amsterdam

4.8(1,122)Amsterdam1 hour
VIATOR4.8(796)TRIPADVISOR4.8(326)

Description

This tour is a must for anyone who wants to visit the two of the most popular places in Holland! Board an air-conditioned bus. In 20 minutes you will arrive at the Zaanse Schans, an open air museum absolutely worthwhile your visit. See a typical Dutch clog shop and visit a cheese factory. See the various original still working windmills and the Dutch artisans. You can glance over their shoulders while they are performing their crafts. Learn about the impressive windmill history that set off the Golden Age in the Netherlands. Next enjoy the ride through the Dutch polders, reclaimed land, to the fairytale like village of Giethoorn, also known as “the Venice of the North. Next up, a one hour guided boat tour. You will be in awe of the sights of the surroundings, ducking under picturesque bridges the captain will tell you the impressive history of the Giethoorn. You will have time explore the village on your own, on foot or by bike, You can also enjoy a delicious meal!

Tour Options

Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans Windmills Guided Day Trip from Amsterdam

Itinerary

120 min

See a typical Dutch clog shop and learn how and why these wooden shoes were made. Visit the cheese factory.

Next stop is Giethoorn, typically referred to as ‘Venice of the North’. As cars aren’t allowed, transportation is traditionally on foot, by bike, or by boat. You can experience how the Dutch live with and on the water. Learn about the outstanding water-management techniques of the Dutch and you can see the beautiful farmhouses and the many picturesque bridges of this idyllic village with merely 2500 inhabitants. After your boat tour, you'll have time at leisure to explore Giethoorn. Stroll around centuries of history of traditional Dutch craftsmanship. Discover the unique Dutch culture with guidance and recommendations from your personal guide.

Highlights

Driver/guide
Tour of the cheese factory + clog factory
Live commentary on board
1-Hour Boat Cruise

What's included

Included
Driver/guide
Tour of the cheese factory + clog factory
Live commentary on board
1-Hour Boat Cruise
Not included
Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

4.8
1,122 reviews
5
993
4
88
3
21
2
11
1
9

Important Information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide

Reviews(1,122)

N
Nualchan K
June 19, 2026
Windmills and Geithoorn tour.

Jay and driver was excellent!

C
Carri_N
June 18, 2026
You have to go!

Jay was a fabulous tour guide and this day was a such a fun day trip from Amsterdam. Seeing the windmills and the little towns was dreamy, and we had enough time to stop at a local farmer's market to try their amazing produce. Giethoorn - must do!!

J
jodigomez
June 15, 2026
Great day tour!!

Storybook town, close to Amsterdam. Absolutely worth getting out of the city. Jay, our guide was super fun and entertaining 😁

A
Adventure10251483657
June 11, 2026
Great tour and totally worth it.

Saeed was super helpful and informative host. He took good care to check the entire group was together. And his tips and advice were very useful. Anwar was a good driver.

S
Susan_H
June 1, 2026
Amazing Informative Day

Our guide,Jay, made this day extra enjoyable with his knowledge of the Netherlands and its history. His sense of humor was an added bonus. We loved the fact that we left at 8:00, so we were one of the first groups to Zaanse Schans. This allowed us to take our pictures before it got crowded. The cheese and wooden shoe demonstrations were short,, which gives us time to browse the shops and buy souvenirs. If you want to go into the windmills, it is a separate fee, but we felt it was worth it to get to climb up to the second level. The trip to Giethoorn takes about an hour and a half. We thought it was fun to see the countryside with the wind turbans and farm fields. Giethoorn was so quaint and picturesque with all the canals and thatched roof cottages. It is a must see destination. Book this, you won’t regret it.

H
HollieDiCiccio
May 31, 2026
It was a beautiful drive...

It was a beautiful drive and each location was a step back in time getting to know the traditions of Amsterdam.

A
Ali_R
May 30, 2026
Check, check, & check ✅

All-in-one trip where you can check mark all your “outside Amsterdam” checklist (if you’re visiting outside of Tulip season). Windmills, Cheese Factory and tasting, Clog factory, and boating around the beautiful Giethoorn village. Pickup and drop-off was very convenient given I stayed at the next-door Mövenpick hotel. Great experience and shoutout to our tour-guide Raachid who was informative and very helpful. Highly recommended

P
Psa5
May 29, 2026
Outstanding coastal retreat.

Outstanding Coastal Retreat. Our week's stay at Windmills in Mevagissey this May was absolutely flawless, and the time passed by way too quickly. The detached rural property offers breathtaking sea views, yet sits conveniently within one mile of a local pub and a cycle store. Arriving in the spring sunshine, the thoughtful welcome pack made our arrival feel incredibly special. The host is extremely helpful, and we truly could not fault any of the facilities offered.Perfect for Families and PetsThe open-plan living area provides a massive, social space for everyone. It is fully equipped for families and pets, who stay completely free of charge.For Kids: Highchair and stairgate available.For Pets: Large, fully enclosed garden and patio.For Convenience: Dishwasher, washing machine, and reliable Wi-Fi.For Entertainment: Full satellite TV package.Luxury and RelaxationOutside, the private hot tub offers total privacy with stunning views of the Cornwall coast. On cooler May evenings, the indoor open fire and woodburner kept the entire house warm and cosy. Every bedroom features its own luxury ensuite bathroom.Excellent Activities NearbyWe loved spending lazy days around the beautiful Mevagissey harbour, which is just a short walk away. The location is a paradise for outdoor lovers, with excellent fishing spots and a golf course just a short drive away. Private, on-site parking made unloading our gear incredibly easy. We also made great use of the barbecue provided on the patio for summer-style dining. It is easy to see why this property is a certified customers' choice.

Q
qwdnnt5ryz
May 25, 2026
Fun memories

This is a great excursion! You have time to move through both towns, shops and eat AND it is great to plan in the middle of your trip, because there is time to rest a bit on the bus. Enjoy!!!

M
maayan_z
May 25, 2026
The tour war led by...

The tour war led by Saeed, an amazing experience. Saeed was professional, and it was shown that he really likes his job and great at it. We had a lovely time.

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