Zaan Region Travel Tips: What to See and Do is a blog about shopping, food, the Zaanse Schans, local museums, and tips for four beautiful walking routes.
Zaanstad and the Zaan region
The Zaan Region has a long industrial history. It was once filled with windmills, which were later replaced by factories after the invention of the steam engine. Today, some areas can still smell a bit due to the many factories — but we’ll happily skip that part of the Zaan Region.
Fortunately, many windmills have been preserved — twelve of them stand at the Zaanse Schans, with another four located nearby.
Shopping in the Zaanbocht in Wormerveer
Most shops in Wormerveer are closed on Sundays and on Monday mornings, so keep that in mind if this blog inspires you to go shopping there.
The Koffiezaak
From the train station, we walk toward the River Zaan and turn left. We start our day at the local coffee shop for a drink and a slice of cake. They serve delicious pastries and excellent tea and coffee, of course.
K’ook
From the coffee shop, we first turn right toward K’ook, a shop filled with kitchenware, fun gifts, tableware, delicious olive oils — in short, a little bit of everything.
Go and see for yourself — you might even get to taste something, as that happens quite often.
After visiting these two shops, we walk back toward the coffee shop. Next to it is Buter, a patisserie and chocolatier. We’ve already had enough cake for today, so we skip this shop.
At Katrien
After that, we step inside Bij Katrien, a shop specializing in nostalgic kitchen and household products, located in a former carriage house. The owner — who, fun fact, isn’t actually named Katrien — has turned it into a wonderfully charming store.
Wala and the Saenkanter
Further down the street, you’ll find Wala Lingerie & Fashion. People, especially women, travel from far and wide to buy their lingerie or swimwear here. I’m personally more interested in the fashion side of the shop, and if I don’t find what I’m looking for, I head over to De Saenkanter. They offer not only women’s clothing but also men’s fashion, plus a separate shop for suits and shirts.
There are plenty of other charming little boutiques in the area as well.
Lunch at Hemels
Hungry from all the shopping, we walk back to Zaanweg 109, where Hemels (Heavenly) is located. In summer, we often stop here for an ice cream, but it’s also a great place for a delicious lunch. And if the weather is nice, you can sit on a bench across the street, right by the River Zaan
The only downside of the Zaanweg is that the street isn’t closed to cars. Although that can also be an advantage. In bad weather, you can park right in front of the shops so you won’t get wet. After our delicious lunch, we walk back to the station and take the train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans.
From the station to the Zaanse Schans
It’s only one stop by train, so we’re there in no time. At Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, you can grab a takeaway coffee at a cute little spot called ‘Zaanse Koffie’. Though you might still be full from all the treats at Hemels.
From Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, it’s a 12‑minute walk to the open‑air museum, but the fun starts even earlier. On the way, you’ll pass ‘Smells Like Chocolate,’ where you can buy all kinds of chocolate. They also have a few cozy spots where you can sit down with a hot chocolate. Or something else to drink. In the back of the shop, they make their own chocolate.
You’ll also pass a windmill with a rather charming name: ‘De Bleeke Dood (The Pale Death).’ Some windmills can be visited, but certainly not all of them. The flour mill ‘De Bleeke Dood,’ for example, is only open by appointment. Just past the mill, you’ll reach the Julianabrug. From the bridge, you have a beautiful view of the Zaanse Schans. While you’re standing there, be sure to look toward the opposite bank of the River Zaan as well. Walking along the Lagedijk in Zaandijk, you’re treated to a row of beautifully preserved historic houses.
Where the Zaan Meets the Windmills: The Zaanse Schans
The first thing you notice when you enter the Schans is the Tinkoepel, with its neatly trimmed boxwood hedges in front. We often walk past the Tinkoepel toward the River Zaan and follow the footbridge that leads underneath the bridge. There you’ll find the oil mill ‘De Ooievaar,’ standing right next to a factory an unusual and fascinating sight.
We head back to the path and continue our walk along the River Zaan toward the windmills. The first landmarks we pass are the very first Albert Heijn shop, the restaurant De Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis, and the souvenir shop Orse Ket Aan ’t Glop.
We stroll past the jetties where you can book a boat tour on the Zaan. At the next jetty, you get a beautiful view of the windmills — the perfect spot for Adriaan to send the drone up for a moment.
Keep in mind that from October to March, not all windmills are open to visitors. We decide to visit the sawmill ‘Het Jonge Schaap.’ This one is open daily.
Molenmuseum De Zaansche Molen
After the last windmill, you’ll arrive at the windmill museum. It’s a small but charming interactive museum. We were especially impressed by the photo exhibition featuring portraits of the current millers, captured while working in their mills. The images, beautifully photographed by Jeroen Nieuwhuis, are truly striking.
Near the Windmill Museum, you’ll find a small foot ferry that takes you across the River Zaan. The ferry operates from May 1st to October 1st, seven days a week from 10:00 to 17:00. If you visit the Zaanse Schans after October, you can do what we did: cross the Julianabrug and turn right to explore the Lagedijk in Zaandijk.”
The houses at the Zaanse Schans
After our quick visit to the Windmill Museum, we walk back along the windmills to explore the rest of the Zaanse Schans. It’s almost hard to imagine that, alongside all the tourist shops and attractions, people actually live here. I once visited one of the charming little houses myself.
“At Specerijmolen De Huisman, we turn left into the Zeilenmakerspad. Along the way, we pass the Bakery Museum In de Gecroonde Duijvekater. More about the duivekater in a moment.
“A little further on, we turn left and cross a small bridge to reach Cheese Farm Catharina Hoeve. Inside the cheese dairy, the cheesemakers ,dressed in traditional costume, explain the different types of cheese. Demonstrations are given daily. After the demonstration, you can taste and buy cheese. That’s not really our thing, so we head back to the path.
You’ll pass the Saense Lelie souvenir shop and the Weavers’ House, but we keep walking because we’re heading to the Zaans Museum.
The Zaans Museum
At the Zaans Museum, the region’s rich cultural and industrial history from the 17th century onward comes back to life. You can view Zaan‑area objects, images, furniture, and everyday items. My favourite part is the Verkade Pavilion. You step back into the world of an early‑20th‑century chocolate and biscuit factory, and you can even virtually pack biscuits yourself. Despite having worked at Verkade for two weeks once, I’m absolutely terrible at it.
The rest of the Zaanse Schans.
After visiting the Zaans Museum, we’re happy to be outside again. We walk back toward the Schansend. If you’ve worked up an appetite, you can grab a pancake or something else at Restaurant De Kraai, or step inside De Tweekoppige Phoenix, where you can taste and buy their own distilled spirits. We skipped that part, since I don’t drink alcohol.
We continue on to the Wooden Shoe Workshop ‘De Zaanse Schans’. Outside, you’ll find the most photographed detail of the entire Zaanse Schans: a heart made of clogs, along with giant clogs you can stand in for a photo. On busy days, you’ll need a bit of patience before it’s your turn. Inside, clogs are sold, along with many other items and there’s also a demonstration showing how clogs are made.
From there, we follow the Kraaijenpad past the cooperage and onto the lovely Zonnewijzerspad, eventually reaching the Kalveringdijk by the Zaan. Since we skipped a small section of the Zaanse Schans, we cross the next bridge and turn left to view those houses up close. If you continue walking, you’ll naturally return to the Zonnewijzerspad, but you can also head back the way you came.
The Lagedijk in Zaandijk
We walk back across the Julianabrug and turn right. As you head up the Lagedijk, the charming Zaanse Bakkertje, Proeflokaal De Kruis, and Restaurant Wolfsend immediately catch your eye. At the bakery, you can buy delicious bread, including the Zaanse duivekater, a sweet festive loaf that used to be eaten only at Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. These days, every day is a celebration. If they still have any left, I’d definitely buy one.
You pass several beautiful buildings, a sculpture garden at the Weefhuis, a cultural centre, and the Honig Breethuis museum.
We don’t really want to walk any farther than Brouwerij De Hoop, but at Lagedijk 214 you can admire the oldest house in Zaandijk.
At Brouwerij De Hoop, you can taste and buy their ‘De Hoop’ beer, but you can also enjoy other drinks or a meal.
It’s also possible to book a brewery tour, though you’ll need to reserve in advance.
Proeflokaal de Kruis
We walk back and take a break at Proeflokaal De Kruis. It’s always a cosy and welcoming place. They serve various specialty beers with a snack platter, but of course you can simply order a soft drink as well.
In good weather, the sunny terrace is a wonderful spot to relax, and in winter the terrace is covered.
Restaurant Wolfsend
Next to the tasting room is Restaurant Wolfsend. I often have lunch there with friends. It’s always very cosy, and the food is delicious and more than generous. Definitely a place worth visiting. They’re open every day from 11:00 to 17:00.
Dinner at Zaanse Kathmandu Kitchen
We walk back in the direction of the station, but we don’t turn off at Stationsstraat. We’ve made a reservation at De Zaanse Kathmandu, located at Hoogstraat 4 in Koog aan de Zaan. Make sure to arrive a little early so you can enjoy the view of the River Zaan from the jetty next to the building.
De Zaanse Kathmandu is located in De Waakzaamheid, the oldest surviving wooden hospitality building in the Netherlands. I’ve attended quite a few concerts there myself. It was beautifully restored, and in 2010 De Waakzaamheid took part in the television programme ‘Most Beautiful Building in the Netherlands’, making it all the way to the final.
The food is delicious, and we’re seated right next to the authentic Zaanse Smuiger. It’s a tiled chimney that runs from floor to ceiling.
Four Scenic Walks in the Zaan Region
As promised, here are some ideas for walks nearby.
Exploring the Zaanse Schans and Haaldersbroek on Foot
This is an 8‑kilometre walk that starts and ends at the Zaanse Schans. The route takes you in a loop through the Enge Wormer, past the American windmill, through the beautiful hamlet of Haaldersbroek, and back to the Zaanse Schans. You can read more via this link:
Wakker worden op de Zaanse schans
Experience the Wormer and Jisperveld: A Journey on Foot or by Boat
Last spring, we walked an 11‑kilometre route through the Wormer and Jisperveld. We later returned to take a boat tour from the Poelboerderij. Both experiences are really enjoyable, and you can even take a boat trip in winter. You can read more via this link: Wandelen en varen door het Wormer-en Jisperveld
Ommetje Zaans Erfgoed
A walk from Zaandijk to Wormerveer along the River Zaan. You return via the Zaanbrug, with the Zaanse Schans as your endpoint. Along the way, you pass the beautiful Gortershoek, with its historic buildings and wooden houses featuring ornate gables. You continue along the Zaanbocht, lined with monumental warehouses and old factories. Finally, you walk past the windmills, shops, and museums of the Zaanse Schans. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants along the route. Although some stretches are less scenic, this walk is still highly recommended — especially if you enjoy photography. Including the approach route and an extra loop around the Zaanse Schans, the total distance is 9 kilometres.
You can read more and view additional photos via the link below to the Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland page:Zaans Erfgoed ommetje
Ommetje Czaar Peter and Monet in Zaandam
If you take this short walk, you’ll pass Café Fabriek, which has a terrace right on the River Zaan. They serve delicious snacks, and if you’re having a good time you can stay for dinner and even catch a film at the adjoining cinema.
We also did a 5‑kilometre walk for Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland in Zaandam.
This walk starts at Zaandam station. You pass the beautiful Town Hall , where both of us work and the striking Inntel Hotel, built from stacked Zaan‑style houses. We continued along the Gedempte Gracht and visited the Czaar Peter House. You can read more via this link: Czaar Peter en Monet in Zaandam
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Adresses:
Shops:
K’ook, Zaanweg 72, 1521 DN Wormerveer
Bij Katrien, Zaanweg 95, 1521 DP Wormerveer
Wala lingerie en mode, Zaanweg 96-97, 1521 DP Wormerveer
Saenkanter, Zaanweg 120, 1521 DS Wormerveer
juwelier Kuyper Zaanweg 120a, 1521 DS Wormerveer
Eten of drinken
De koffiezaak, Zaanweg 82, 1521 DN Wormerveer
Hemels Zaanweg 109, 1521 DP Wormerveer
smells like chocolate, Lagedijk 14, 1544 BG Zaandijk
De Tweekoppige Phoenix, Kraaienest 3, 1509 AZ Zaandam
Brouwerij de Hoop Lagedijk 71, 1544 BC Zaandijk
Restaurant Wolfsend, Lagedijk 13C, 1544 BA Zaandijk
Proeflokaal de Kruis Lagedijk 13, 1544 BA Zaandijk
Zaanse Kathmandu Hoogstraat 4, Koog aan de Zaan
Musea en molens
houtzaagmolen Het Jonge Schaap Kalverringdijk 31A, 1509 BT Zaandam
You can check the opening hours of the mills and other attractions at the Zaanse Schans here.
molenmuseum Kalverringdijk 30, 1509 BT Zaandam
het Zaans Museum Kalverringdijk 30, 1509 BT Zaandam
het weefhuis Lagedijk 39, 1544 BB Zaandijk
museum het Honig Breethuis Lagedijk 80, 1544 BJ Zaandijk
