Photo: Laurens R. Krol (CC BY 4.0, resized)
Windmills and Fishing Villages — Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken
Our most booked full day. Working windmills in the morning, herring on the harbour at lunch, and the old island village of Marken in the afternoon — three of the country's best-known places in one unhurried trip.
- 9.5 hours
- 1.5hours riding time
- 8hours standby at the destination
- Up to8passengers
- Mercedes sedan, V-Class or Vito
Tour highlights
- Six working windmills on the river Zaan
- Wooden shoe carving and a cheese farm with tasting
- The painted harbour front at Volendam
- Fresh herring and smoked eel on the quay
- Marken — black timber houses on an old island
- One vehicle, one driver, no coach timetable
The classic day out, done without a coach
If you only have one free day and you want to see the Netherlands that exists outside Amsterdam, this is the day. Windmills, a working cheese farm, two fishing harbours and an old island village — all within about forty minutes of the city, and all in one vehicle with one driver.
The reason to do it privately is timing. Coach tours arrive at Zaanse Schans at eleven, along with every other coach. We are there at half past nine, when you can hear the mill machinery instead of the crowd.
How the day runs
Zaanse Schans first, while it is quiet. Six working windmills along the river, a carver turning a block of poplar into a wooden shoe in five minutes, and a cheese farm that hands out samples until you give in and buy some.
Monnickendam next — small, old, and skipped by almost everyone. Its smokehouse has been curing eel over wood chips for generations, and it is worth the ten minutes.
Volendam for lunch, on the harbour front. Painted wooden houses, boats tied up close enough to touch, and herring eaten the local way if you are brave.
Marken to finish. A ferry across the water to a village of black timber houses raised on posts, which was a genuine island until the 1950s. Quieter and stranger than Volendam, and a lovely way to end.
It is your van, not a schedule
Every stop above can be shortened, lengthened or dropped. Some guests spend two hours photographing windmills and skip Marken entirely. Others race through the mills to get to the water.
Tell your driver in the morning what matters to you and the day gets rebuilt around it. That is the whole point of going privately.
Where is it?
Photos
Your day
- 09:00
Pick-up in Amsterdam
From your door, early enough to beat the coaches to the windmills.
- 09:30
Zaanse Schans
The windmill row along the water, a clog workshop and a cheese farm. Around two hours, which is enough to go inside a mill properly.
- 12:00
Monnickendam
A short stop at the quiet harbour town most tours skip, and its eel smokehouse.
- 13:00
Volendam and lunch
The famous harbour front. Herring from a stall or a proper sit-down lunch looking at the boats — your choice.
- 15:00
Ferry to Marken
Twenty-five minutes across the water to the old island village, then back by road over the causeway.
- 17:00
Back in Amsterdam
Dropped at your door, about eight hours after we set off.
What's included
- Private Mercedes V-Class or Vito minivan for the full day
- Hotel or apartment pick-up and drop-off
- English-speaking driver who stays with you
- Fuel, tolls and all parking
- Bottled water and free child seats
Not included
- Marken ferry ticket
- Windmill entrance
- Food and drinks
Can be added
Traditional costume photograph in Volendam
Full Dutch dress and a printed portrait. Touristy, and worth it.
Paid at the studio
Skip Marken, add more time
Some guests would rather spend longer at the windmills and the harbour. Say so on the day and your driver will rebalance the schedule.
Free
Schiphol drop-off at the end
Flying out in the evening? We will carry your luggage and finish at the terminal instead of the city.
Free
Frequently asked questions
Is one day enough for all three?
Comfortably, because we drive you between them. The three sit close together north of Amsterdam — the longest leg is the first one.
Which is better, this or the Giethoorn tour?
This one covers more, closer to Amsterdam, and suits a first visit. Giethoorn is further and quieter, and is the better choice if you want one beautiful place rather than three well-known ones.
Does the Marken ferry run all year?
Mostly in the spring and summer season. Outside that we drive to Marken over the causeway instead, which takes about the same time.
Can we change the order or skip a stop?
Yes. It is your vehicle for the day. Tell your driver in the morning and the plan is rebuilt around what you actually want to see.