Amsterdam: Live-Guided Zaanse Schans & Cheese Tasting Tour
Hightlight
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English-Speaking
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Group-Friendly
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Reservations
History
Zaanse Schans, just 20 minutes north of Amsterdam, emerged in the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age as an industrial hub along the Zaan River, where over 1,000 windmills powered sawmills, dye works, and oil presses for global trade. By the 19th century, steam engines displaced them, but visionary architect Jaap Schipper relocated historic mills and houses here starting in 1961 to preserve the Zaan region’s timber architecture and green-painted facades.
Catharina Hoeve, a replica 17th-century Oostzaan farmhouse donated by Albert Heijn in 1987, revives the dairy traditions that made Gouda a export staple, blending family recipes with live demonstrations.
Highlights
- Guided tour of Zaanse Schans windmills, clog workshop, and Catharina Hoeve cheese farm
- Live cheese-making demo + unlimited Gouda tastings (young to aged varieties)
- Watch traditional wooden clog carving and try on oversized pairs
- Small group (max. 60) with multilingual guide (English, Spanish, German)
- Optional Amsterdam canal cruise voucher for post-tour relaxation
Full Description
Meet your multilingual guide at the Stromma building and hop on a comfy bus for the 30-minute ride to Zaanse Schans. Upon arrival, dive into the village’s living history: stroll past 18th-century windmills like De Kat (a working paint mill) and admire merchant mansions with ornate gables that once housed spice traders.
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At the Wooden Shoe Workshop, watch a craftsman carve clogs from willow in under 10 minutes—learn how these waterproof “klompen” protected feet in muddy fields. Next, head to Catharina Hoeve for a hands-on cheese demo: see curds pressed into wheels, then taste unlimited Gouda flavors, from creamy young to crystalline old, paired with farm-fresh stories.
Enjoy 45 minutes of free time to explore the Zaans Museum (€6.50–€12.50 entry) or enter a windmill (€5), before the return transfer. Upgrade for a canal cruise voucher to glide past Anne Frank House and Westerkerk.
Why Choose This Experience?
This tour distills Dutch icons—windmills, clogs, cheese—into a seamless 3.5-hour escape, led by passionate guides who translate seamlessly for international groups. Unlike self-guided visits, the small size ensures insider tips and no rushing.
Perfect for culture seekers or families (kids love the demos), it’s rain-or-shine reliable, with central pickup/drop-off. At $39, it’s an authentic slice of Golden Age ingenuity without the hassle.
What’s Included
- Round-trip bus transport from Amsterdam (30 min each way)
- Multilingual live guide (English, Spanish, German)
- Guided village intro and history walk
- Clog-making live demonstration at Wooden Shoe Workshop
- Cheese-making demo + unlimited tasting at Catharina Hoeve
- Free time at Zaanse Schans (45 min)
- Pickup/drop-off at Stationsplein 4
- Amsterdam canal cruise voucher (if option selected)
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
- Reserve now, pay later option
Itinerary
- Starting location: Stationsplein 4 (Stromma building)
- Transfer: 30-minute bus to Zaanse Schans
- Village Tour: Guided walk past windmills and merchant houses
- Wooden Shoe Workshop: Live clog-making demo
- Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm: Cheese-making demo + tasting
- Free time: Explore windmills, museum, shops (45 min)
- Transfer: 30-minute bus back
- Arrive back at: Stationsplein 4
Pricing
From $39 per person
Meeting Point
Stationsplein 4, inside the white Stromma building (1-min walk from Amsterdam Central Station main exit toward city center).
How to get there
- From Central Station: Exit Stations-side main entrance onto Stationsplein, cross the square to the white building—follow Google Maps.
- By tram: Lines 2, 11, 12, 13 to Centraal (2 min), then 1-min walk.
- From Dam Square: Tram 2/11/12/13 to Centraal (5 min), then walk 1 min.
- By metro: Lines 51–54 to Centraal, then 1-min walk.
Good to Know
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes (light cobblestones)
- Umbrella or rain jacket (runs rain or shine)
- Camera/phone (windmill panoramas)
- Small backpack (no large bags on bus)
Know before you go
- Max. 60 participants; small walking involved (1 km)
- Children 0–3 free (lap-sitting; no seat)
- Windmill entry €5 (buy on-site); Zaans Museum €6.50–€12.50
- No pets allowed
- Optional canal cruise: redeem voucher post-tour
Reviews
- Rob was an absolute star—his stories brought the windmills alive, and the cheese tasting was endless bliss!
- William made history fun; the clog demo had us in stitches. Charming village, seamless tour.
- Brilliant multilingual guide handled our group flawlessly—varied sights, tasty Gouda, total highlight!
Maps
Video
FAQ's
What cheeses can I taste at Catharina Hoeve, and are there dietary options?
At Catharina Hoeve, you'll sample unlimited Gouda varieties in a live demo: young (mild, buttery, 4 weeks aged), medium (nutty, 3 months), old (crystalline, 12 months), plus flavored like cumin, herb, or smoked. Goat and sheep cheeses add variety, all made traditionally with raw cow's milk. Staff in Dutch costumes explain the process from curd to wheel. Lactose-intolerant? Opt for aged Goudas (low lactose) or goat options. Vegans get plant-based alternatives on request. The farm shop sells vacuum-sealed packs (€5–15) for travel.
Do we enter a windmill, or just view from outside?
The guided tour includes exterior views and history of relocated 18th-century mills like De Kat (paint grinding) and De Zoeker (oil pressing), but entry is optional (€5 ticket at the desk). Climb creaky stairs to see gears in action and balcony vistas—worth it for the wind's power! Use free time to enter one; the guide recommends based on weather. Not included to keep costs low, but families love the photo ops outside.
How much free time do we get, and what can we do?
You'll have 45 minutes of unstructured exploration after the demos—plenty for the village's compact 1 km loop. Climb a windmill (€5), browse the Zaans Museum (€6.50–€12.50 for art and history), shop for clogs/cheese, or grab stroopwafels at a café. The guide shares tips like the best photo spots or hidden hofjes. It's relaxed; no rush back to the bus.
Is the tour suitable for children, and what's the infant policy?
Absolutely—kids adore the interactive clog carving (try on giant pairs!) and endless cheese samples. The 3.5-hour pace suits ages 4+, with light walking and bus breaks. Multilingual guides engage with fun facts about windmill "superheroes." Infants 0–3 ride free on laps (no seat), but book to secure spots (max. 60 total). Strollers fold into bus storage; bring snacks for picky eaters.
What does the optional Amsterdam canal cruise voucher include?
The voucher grants a 1-hour self-guided cruise on Stromma's electric boats, departing from Central Station—perfect post-tour unwind. See Golden Age canal houses, Westerkerk, and Anne Frank House exteriors via audio guide (19 languages). Valid 3 months; redeem anytime. Open/closed boat, skip-the-line boarding. Kids' pirate audio adds fun. Not live-guided, but GPS-synced narration covers history.
