Boat Cruise With The Best Views of The Zaanse Schans Windmills

Book this top boat cruise with live tour guide at Zaanse Schans windmill village.

Boat Cruise With The Best Views of The Zaanse Schans Windmills

Book this top boat cruise with live tour guide at Zaanse Schans windmill village.

Boat Cruise With The Best Views of The Zaanse Schans Windmills

Explore Zaanse Schans from a different perspective and discover the hidden treasures of this amazingly preserved traditional Dutch village.

Description

Cruising gently along the Zaan River, a boat tour around Zaanse Schans offers a unique and peaceful way to explore one of the Netherlands’ most iconic historic villages. As you drift past the shoreline, the scenery unfolds like a painting—rows of beautifully preserved and UNESCO protected 18th and 19th-century windmills, traditional green wooden houses, and quaint bridges evoke the charm of a bygone era.

Admire the traditional ‘Zaanse Houses as the skipper reveals the secret behind their unique hue. Explore the world’s largest cacao processing hub, home to massive chocolate factories.

If the wind is right, enjoy the enticing aroma of chocolate and spot the famous ‘Chocolate Boats’ ferrying cacao between factories. Learn about the Zaan area’s whaling past, with historic sites like an old whale hunting facility now transformed into a charming restaurant, and discover houses adorned with nods to this maritime history.

A boat tour at Zaanse Schans isn’t just a scenic ride—it’s a step back in time, a glimpse into the heart of Dutch culture, and an experience that stays with you long after the journey ends.

Inclusions

25-minute public boat ride.
Live tour guide.
Frequent departures.

Not included

Transportation to Zaanse Schans.
Gratuities for the guide.
Food and beverage.

Practical information

Duration: 25 minutes

Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the departure of the tour or buy your tickets online in advance.

Meeting point

Please walk to the boat company pier Dutch Boat Tours located in Zaanse Schans Village at this address: Schansend, 1509 AW, Zaandam, NL.

Cancellation policy

You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. There are no refunds on cancellations made within 24 hours before the tour starts.

      All reviews
 
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  Excellent4.919087 reviews
 4.9
 Excellent19087 reviews
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 Excellent4.9715 reviews
 4.9
 Excellent715 reviews
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 Excellent4.918372 reviews
 4.9
 Excellent18372 reviews
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      Posted on Google  
   
   Marsha Francis 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Gosse was awesome!!  Knows his history and shared detailed information that intrigued us as a group.  Well worth the tour!!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sabine T 
 3 days ago
 
 
 Verified Anne Frank Führung
Wir hatten mit Amy einen wundervollen Guide. Sie hat sehr einfühlsam und informativ die Geschichte der Familie erzählt. Wirklich zum empfehlen. TOP!!!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Michelle S 
 3 days ago
 
 
 Verified Great walking tour
The tour was very informative. Despite torrential rain, the whole group was completely engaged and stayed for the 2-hour duration. Be warned, the tour does not include entry to the Anne Frank house. Some of us did not catch this when registering and were disappointed.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lisa T 
 3 days ago
 
 
 Verified Wonderful guide, informative tour
Martina was an informative and pleasant guide. We went to multiple locations and she provided pictures and stories that explained a lot of what life was like for Jewish people in Amsterdam during the war. Great tour!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Evelien Taelemans 
 3 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +3
De Anne Frankwandeling en Joodse wandeling een absolute aanrader en des te meer met gids Peter.

We (3 volwassenen en 2 kinderen van 11 en 14 jaar) hebben zondagochtend enorm genoten van de rondleiding met onze gids Peter! Hij vertelde op een duidelijke en boeiende manier over Anne Frank en de Joodse wijk. Met zijn verhalen en interessante weetjes wist hij ons van begin tot eind te boeien.

Wat we extra waardeerden, was dat hij af en toe overschakelde van het Engels naar het Nederlands, zodat ook onze jongste alles goed kon volgen. Een attent gebaar!

We waren heel blij met Peter als gids en kunnen hem van harte aanbevelen. Een leerrijke en indrukwekkende ervaring die ons ook doet stilstaan bij de boodschap van Otto Frank: leren uit het verleden, in de hoop dat geen enkel kind ooit nog hoeft mee te maken wat Anne en zoveel anderen hebben doorgemaakt.

Een leerrijke en indrukwekkende ervaring!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Illi Banh 
 3 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Virginie était une superbe guide ! Très sympathique, passionnée et surtout très claire dans ses explications. Elle a su rendre la visite intéressante et agréable du début à la fin. Je recommande vivement !
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Navigate67770791031 
 4 days ago
 
 
 Verified Complimenti a cavalli
Visita molto interessante spiegata in maniera eccelsa dalla guida Giovanni. Ci ha dato un'idea della vita di Anna Frank e delle vicissitudini degli ebrei in quel periodo, preparato e gentile!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   maria elena betancourt 
 4 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hice mi tour por el pasaje judío con Edwin y fue un excelente guía , muy amable y fantástico para compartir la información , de forma interesante y amena , simplemente me pareció Excelente!!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Aarti Vaswani 
 4 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Estuvimos con Edwin en un tour de Anne Frank y fue una experiencia única con paseos  muy amenos y explicaciones muy bien documentadas. Super recomendamos!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Carolina Moctezuma 
 4 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hice el tour con Edwin y fue muy buen guia super claro y muy interesante
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Victoria Rendón 
 4 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +0
El paseo con Reinaldo fue excepcional. Te sumerge en la historia del barrio judío y es muy interactivo en su charla!! Disfrute mucho el paseo. Saludos desde Venezuela
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Kailun P 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Verified Great guide
Our guide Giovanni was wonderful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. His stories and explanations made the artwork so much more engaging. It was my second time in the Rijksmuseum but the first time I enjoyed it so much, such that I was a little sad to leave at the end of the tour. Would come back!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Giuseppe Peluso 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Verified Highly recommended
We were with Elena, who guided us through the entire route in a very professional and friendly manner, answering the questions we asked her during the tour with great attention to detail. Very comprehensive, highly recommended experience.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Grace E 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Verified 100/10
Manuel is the best tour guide, extremely interesting and insightful!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dan M 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Verified Manuel is a great guide
Manuel, our guide was fantastic. Personable and knowledgeable. Great experience.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paul H 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Verified Amazing guide
Manuel was such an awesome guide, full of energy and history. Thanks a lot!!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Berit D 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Verified Fantastic tour
Manuel was fantastic. Exciting and present. And what relevant story about Anne Frank...
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   אלעד גייזנברג 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great time with giovanni on the anne frank tour
We will be back for the other tours, thanks!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Sam Barry 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Giovanni was amazing, would highly recommend!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Petri 
 9 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Gosse was a fantastic tour guide!  He had both great art history and great art stories.  We highly recommend him.