Zaanse Schans & Giethoorn: Small Group Day Trip with Pickup

Summary

Cheese tasting, windmills, and Giethoorn canals in a relaxed small group

You’ll taste fresh Dutch cheeses at Zaanse Schans, see clogs made by hand, and glide through Giethoorn’s peaceful canals on a small-group day trip from Amsterdam. With hotel pickup included and plenty of time for photos or apple pie breaks, you’ll get both lively moments and quiet ones—the kind that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

“You really have to try this one,” our guide said, holding out a cube of something creamy at the cheese factory in Zaanse Schans. I’d already lost count—maybe flavor number eight? The smell inside was this mix of grass and old wood, and honestly, I didn’t expect to like the cumin cheese but ended up buying a wedge anyway. We watched how they pressed the curds into those big wheels (the guy doing it had hands like shovels). The whole place felt lived-in, not staged—somehow both touristy and real at the same time.

After that came the wooden shoe demo. The clog maker’s hands moved so fast I almost missed the moment he switched tools. He let us try on a pair—surprisingly comfortable if you wear thick socks. Li laughed when I tried to say “klompen” in Dutch—probably butchered it. Outside, the air smelled faintly sweet from all the grass around, and there was this low hum from the windmills turning. Our group wandered off for photos; someone’s scarf blew away and got caught on a fence post (she got it back).

The drive to Giethoorn took longer than I thought—over an hour—but I kind of liked watching flat fields flick past while everyone dozed or scrolled through their photos. When we finally arrived, it was quieter than Zaanse Schans, just ducks gliding by and boats knocking gently against wooden docks. Our boat cruise lasted about an hour; I kept reaching out to touch the water even though it was cold. There’s something about gliding under those tiny bridges that makes you feel like you’re in a storybook village. We had some free time after—enough for apple pie at a little café before heading back to Amsterdam.

I still think about that feeling: just drifting along in Giethoorn while church bells echoed somewhere behind us. If you want a day trip from Amsterdam that mixes cheese tasting, windmills, and quiet canals—all with hotel pickup—it’s hard not to remember this one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn

• Hotel pick-up in Amsterdam
• Tour Dutch cheese factory and taste cheese
• Watch wooden shoe making demonstration
• Attend Royal Amsterdam diamond presentation
• Free time at Zaanse Schans windmills
• Travel to Giethoorn
• Enjoy one-hour traditional boat cruise
• Explore Giethoorn independently

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Zaanse Schans & Giethoorn tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Amsterdam is included for all travelers.

How many people are in each group?

The tour runs with a maximum of 8 people per group; sometimes two groups may be combined during peak season.

What activities are included at Zaanse Schans?

You’ll visit a cheese factory with tastings, see wooden shoe making demonstrations, explore windmills, and have a guided diamond tour.

How long is the boat cruise in Giethoorn?

The included boat cruise in Giethoorn lasts about one hour.

Are entry fees or extra costs required during the tour?

No extra fees are needed; all entry fees and taxes are included in your booking price.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

No set lunch is provided but there is free time for food or snacks during your visit to Giethoorn.

What should I bring on this tour?

Bottled water is provided; umbrellas and power banks are available for use during the trip.

Can I explore on my own during the stops?

Yes, there is some free time at both Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn for personal exploration or photos.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Amsterdam, bottled water throughout the journey, all entry fees and taxes covered up front, guided tours of both a Dutch cheese factory (with plenty of tastings) and wooden shoe workshop at Zaanse Schans, a private diamond demonstration, plus an hour-long traditional boat cruise through Giethoorn before returning comfortably by minivan in the evening.