Zaanse Schans Small-Group Guided Bike Tour from Zaandam
About this activity
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- This option has FREE cancellation: book it without any risk!
Experience Highlights
Embark on a 2h 30 min guided bike tour from Zaandam to the picturesque village of Zaanse Schans, home of the famous Dutch windmills. The starting point is Weeshuisland 62 (1541 MD Zaandam), where your guide will pick you up at Koog aan de Zaan station with a Batavus bike perfectly adjusted to your height.
This small group tour is conducted in English and French by an expert local guide. See centuries-old windmills, visit the clog and cheese factory and discover the landscape that inspired Claude Monet during his stay in the Netherlands.
- Book your bike and cycle to the most authentic Holland.
- Explore windmills, cheese and clog factories.
- Follow in Monet's footsteps through the countryside along the river Zaan.
What’s included
- Small group excursion (max. 8 persons)
- Professional guide in English and French
- Batavus bike adapted to your height
- Entrance to a windmill
Select date and time
Step by Step
Get ready for an adventure on two wheels that will take you from the hustle and bustle of Zaandam to the tranquil scenery of the Zaanse Schans, a living open-air museum where windmills still spin in the breeze. After meeting your guide at Koog aan de Zaan station, you will receive a Batavus bike adapted to your size and all the necessary safety instructions for the 12-15 km round trip.
The route runs alongside the river Zaan, dotted with wooden houses painted green and yellow, a testament to the importance of this area in the Dutch Golden Age. Arriving at Zaanse Schans, you will walk among restored mills dating back to the 18th century and learn about their original function: from the production of linseed oil to the production of wooden combs.
At the foot of the mill, your guide will first take you to the clog factory, where you will see the handicraft technique and try on a pair of these traditional wooden shoes. You will then visit the local cheese factory, where gouda cheese is made and tasted according to centuries-old methods.
All along the route, you will discover anecdotes about the influence of this landscape on Claude Monet, who painted several works here in 1871. Imagine his palette capturing the golden light on the waters of the Zaan and the green roofs of the houses!
The return to Zaandam will allow you to watch one last sunset over the river, rounding off an excursion that combines nature, history, art and tradition in an active and sustainable format.
