Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans: Windmills, Cheese & Boat Tour

Summary

Cheese clogs windmills and canals on a Dutch countryside day

You’ll step into Dutch village life — watching clogs being made at Zaanse Schans, sampling cheese straight from the source, gliding under bridges in Giethoorn’s quiet canals with your guide telling local stories, then wandering cobbled paths at your own pace. It’s not just sightseeing; it feels like slipping inside someone else’s daily rhythm for a while.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely settled into the bus from Amsterdam when our guide, Pieter, started telling us about the old windmill towns. I was still half-awake, but the first thing that hit me at Zaanse Schans was this sweet grassy smell — like cut hay mixed with something buttery from the cheese shop. There were ducks everywhere. We watched a guy in blue overalls hammering away at a wooden clog; he winked at my friend when she tried one on (her feet looked enormous). The cheese factory was loud with chatter and samples — I tried this cumin Gouda that I didn’t expect to like, but honestly, it’s all I could taste for the next hour.

The drive out to Giethoorn felt longer than I thought (maybe I dozed off), but suddenly there were canals instead of roads. No cars anywhere — just boats sliding by and people waving from little wooden bridges. Our captain was this older woman named Marijke who steered us under low arches while telling stories about floods and how folks here just accept water as part of daily life. There’s this quietness in Giethoorn you don’t get in cities; even the ducks sound softer somehow. The houses look like something out of a picture book, but you can see laundry hanging or someone fixing a fence, so it’s real life too.

I wandered off after the boat tour (they give you free time) and found myself lost between two tiny lanes lined with wildflowers. Ended up sharing fries with mayo at a café where nobody seemed rushed. That’s what stuck with me — how slow everything felt, in a good way. If you want to see windmills up close or float through canals on a Giethoorn day trip from Amsterdam, it’s all here, but it’s those small moments — like the sound of clogs on old wood floors or tasting cheese you can’t pronounce — that make you pause.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn

• Board air-conditioned bus in Amsterdam
• Arrive at Zaanse Schans open air museum
• See Dutch clog shop and cheese factory
• Observe working windmills and artisans
• Learn about Dutch windmill history
• Travel through Dutch polders to Giethoorn
• Take one-hour guided boat tour in Giethoorn
• Explore Giethoorn village on foot or bike
• Enjoy a meal in Giethoorn

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans?

The full tour lasts approximately one day, including travel time from Amsterdam to both locations.

Is there a guided boat tour included in Giethoorn?

Yes, there is a one-hour guided boat cruise through Giethoorn's canals included in the tour.

Do we visit an actual working windmill at Zaanse Schans?

Yes, you'll see original working windmills and watch local artisans at work in Zaanse Schans.

Are cheese tasting and clog demonstrations part of the tour?

Yes, both cheese factory visits with tastings and traditional clog-making demonstrations are included.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included but you have free time in Giethoorn to buy a meal at local cafés or restaurants.

Is transport from Amsterdam included?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned bus from Amsterdam is included as part of your booking.

Can children join this day trip?

Yes, children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult during the tour.

How much free time do we get in Giethoorn?

You have leisure time after the boat tour to explore Giethoorn on foot or by bike before returning to Amsterdam.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable bus transport from Amsterdam with live commentary from your guide along the way, entry to Zaanse Schans for windmill viewing plus hands-on stops at both a clog workshop and cheese factory (with plenty of samples), followed by a one-hour guided boat cruise through Giethoorn's peaceful canals before some unhurried free time to wander or grab lunch before heading back.