Zaanse Schans Remains Free to Visit for the Next 3 Years

Good News for Tourists: No Entrance Fee Until at Least 2029

Great news for visitors from all over the world: the Zaanse Schans will remain free to enter for the next three years. Despite ongoing rumors, tourists can continue to enjoy this iconic Dutch heritage site without paying an entrance fee.

In recent years, a lot of fake news has circulated claiming that visitors would soon need to pay €17.50 per person to enter the Zaanse Schans. While the municipality did consider introducing an entrance fee to reduce overtourism, the proposal met strong resistance.

As confirmation, this information is supported by an article published on January 9, 2026, which states that the Zaanse Schans will remain free to enter This publication confirms that no general entrance fee will be introduced during this period, despite earlier discussions and public rumors.

Legal Disputes and Strong Opposition

Local entrepreneurs and heritage organizations strongly opposed the idea. This led to a major legal dispute, with business owners at the Zaanse Schans and heritage parties taking legal action against the municipality. ultimately delaying any decision about paid entry.

A Public Open Area With Practical Challenges

The Zaanse Schans is not a closed theme park — it is a large open-air area with:

• Public walking paths
• A cycling route running directly through the site
• Windmills, shops, homes, and museums spread across the landscape

A picturesque bridge connects different parts of the village and scenic areas, serving as a pivotal crossing point and enhancing the landscape's charm.

Charging an entrance fee would create serious practical and legal challenges. Some proposals suggested allowing residents free access, but this raised obvious questions: Who would enforce this? And how?

An Important Cycling Route

For cyclists, the Zaanse Schans is a key route between Zaanstad and Wormerland. Introducing paid access would require relocating the bike path — a project that would take at least three years.

This new route would also pass through a protected nature area, which faces strong opposition from residents and environmental groups. Any change would need approval from the province, making the process even more complex.

Conclusion: Free Access for Everyone

For now, the conclusion is clear: Everyone can continue to visit the Zaanse Schans for free in the coming years.

What Is Free — and What Is Not?

While the area itself is free to enter, some attractions have an admission fee, which has been the case for many years.

Various locations within the Zaanse Schans, such as shops, museums, and restrooms, have specific opening hours and accessibility. Most shops, restaurants, and locations are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Restrooms are available at the main entrance and along the dike toward the mills, and cost €1.00 to use.

Free Activities at the Zaanse Schans

You can enjoy all of the following completely free of charge:

• Walking around the site
• Taking photos of the windmills
• Tasting cheese at Henri Willig
• Watching a wooden shoe (clog) demonstration
• Visiting shops and enjoying the scenery

Paid Attractions

Entrance fees apply to:

• Windmills (inside visits)
• Museums

Parking Information

• Coach parking: €60 per day
• Car parking: €15 per day

Why Local Entrepreneurs Oppose Paid Entry

Many entrepreneurs fear that introducing a €17.50 entrance fee would damage the future of the Zaanse Schans.

Visitors often come because the site is free, and then spend money on:

• Lunch
• Souvenirs
• Museums
• Local products

If visitors must first pay a high entrance fee that goes to the municipality, they are less likely to spend money with local businesses. As a result, many entrepreneurs believe they would be forced to leave.

“If paid entry is introduced, we will stop — and this beautiful place will slowly disappear.”

Tourists may simply choose other destinations, as the Netherlands offers many alternative windmill sites, museums, cheese farms, and clog workshops.

The History of the Zaanse Schans

How It All Began

The idea for the Zaanse Schans was born shortly after World War II, in 1947. The plan was to preserve historic houses and buildings by relocating them to a single area in the Kalverpolder.

The name Zaanse Schans refers to the “Kalverschans”, a former hexagonal defensive fortification used to protect the region.

Many of the buildings and windmills carry centuries of history — for example, some oil mills date back as far as 1609.

Royal Opening

Did you know? The Zaanse Schans was officially opened in 1972 by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.

Western Europe’s Industrial Heritage

The Zaanse Schans stands as one of Western Europe’s most remarkable showcases of industrial heritage, offering visitors a unique window into the Netherlands’ centuries-old tradition of innovation and craftsmanship. Nestled in the heart of the Zaan region, this charming Dutch village invites you to walk past beautiful windmills, green wooden houses, and bustling handicraft shops, all set against the scenic backdrop of the Zaan River.

Easily accessible from Amsterdam Central Station, the Zaanse Schans is a favorite day trip for tourists and locals alike. After a short train ride and a pleasant walk from the train station, you’ll find yourself immersed in a world where history comes alive. With the help of an interactive map, visitors can plan their walking route to discover the many shops, museums, and windmills that make this village so special.

The windmill village is a true highlight, featuring iconic structures like De Kat, De Bonte Hen, and De Huisman. These beautiful windmills, built using traditional timber construction methods, are still operational and offer a fascinating glimpse into the original techniques that powered the region’s industrial growth. As you explore, you’ll also encounter a variety of other heritage sites, including a bakery museum where you can sample traditional Dutch snacks, a cheese farm showcasing authentic cheese-making, and a pewter foundry demonstrating age-old metalworking skills.

Beyond its historic attractions, the Zaanse Schans is home to many shops and restaurants, perfect for picking up unique souvenirs or enjoying a taste of local cuisine. Whether you’re interested in the history of the Netherlands, eager to explore the picturesque wooden houses, or simply looking for a relaxing stroll through a living museum, the Zaanse Schans offers something for everyone.

While the village itself is free to enter, keep in mind that parking fees apply if you arrive by car, and some attractions may have a small entrance fee. However, with its easily walkable layout and proximity to Amsterdam, the Zaanse Schans remains one of the most accessible and rewarding destinations in North Holland.

Plan your visit today and discover why this windmill village continues to captivate visitors from around the world. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a foodie, or a curious traveler, the Zaanse Schans is the perfect place to experience the best of Dutch heritage.

Windmills at the Zaanse Schans

A Total of 10 Historic Windmills

• Spice Mill De Huisman
• Sawmill De Gekroonde Poelenburg
• Paint Mill De Kat
• Oil Mill De Zoeker
• Sawmill Het Jonge Schaap
• Oil Mill De Os
• Sawmill Het Klaverblad
• Oil Mill De Bonte Hen
• Small Windmill De Windhond
• Meadow Drainage Mill De Hadel

Historic Houses and Traditional Crafts

• 16 historic houses
• Tin foundry De Tinkoepel
• Cooperage Kuiperij Tiemstra
• Wervershuis
• Craft Center De Saense Lelie
• Cheese Farm Catharina Hoeve
• Clog Workshop De Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans serves as a cultural heritage preservation center for traditional Dutch crafts like pewter casting and cheese-making. The site showcases various traditional Dutch crafts, including wooden clog carving (wooden shoes) and traditional cheese making. The clog artisan community at Zaanse Schans has been around since the 18th century, highlighting the deep roots of this craft. Wood plays a central role in many of these traditional crafts and in the construction of historic buildings and windmills at Zaanse Schans, reflecting the importance of woodworking techniques in Dutch heritage.

Museums at the Zaanse Schans

8 Museums You Can Visit

• Albert Heijn Museum Shop
• Museum of Zaanse Time
• Windmill Museum De Zaansche Molen
• Jisper House
• Bakery Museum In de Gecroonde Duyvekater
• Zaans Museum
• Verkade Experience
• Mini Museum ’t Spoithuis

Shops at the Zaanse Schans

• Blik op Cacao
• Trash & Treasures Het Jagershuis
• Photography Zaanse Schans
• Windmillshop Souvenirs
• Vrede Souvenirs
• Gift Shop Orse-Ket aan ’t Glop

Restaurants and Places to Eat

Enjoy a meal at one of the four restaurants:

• De Walvis (Dependance)
• De Hoop op de Swarte Walvis
• De Tweekoppige Phoenix
• Pancake Restaurant De Kraai