The Ultimate Guide to Amsterdam: Volendam, Edam, & Zaanse Schans Day Trip

Amidst the bustling city life of Amsterdam and all its attractions, you may find yourself dreaming of Dutch countryside and quaint village life. Strolling through picturesque cobblestoned streets, taking in the sights and sounds of traditional Dutch culture, watching the tiny houses lining the canals—what more could you ask during a day trip getaway?

A trip to Volendam, Edam, and Zaanse Schans can easily make those dreams come true. Experience firsthand the beauty of Dutch culture as you take in the sights, smells, and sounds of these idyllic spots. From cheese-making in Edam to strolling past quaint windmills in Zaanse Schans, this day trip is packed with experiences that bring to life classic Dutch scenes that make the country so world-renowned.

In this guide we’re going to delve into all the incredible things you can experience amidst these iconic three Dutch towns. Here you’ll find the ultimate guide to taking a Volendam, Edam, & Zaanse Schans day trip from Amsterdam.

Getting There

Volendam, Edam, and Zaanse Schans are all conveniently located within a 30-minute drive of Amsterdam—so close that it’s incredibly easy to experience them all in a single day’s adventure. To get there, there are a few reliable transportation options:

Go by Bus

The fastest way to make your way out of Amsterdam and into the charming villages of Volendam, Edam, and Zaanse Schans is by bus. Buses—which run frequently along this route—leave from Amsterdam Central Station and simply follow the A7 motorway northbound. As you approach your destination, you’ll get to pass canals and waterways that further add to the idyllic atmosphere of this part of the Netherlands.

In total, the bus ride to each town should not take more than roughly 30 minutes or so. You may have to switch buses between the three towns depending on the bus route you take, but all three towns have busses that go directly there so it’s quite convenient.

Go by Water

If you’re feeling adventurous (or simply want fewer stops), you can opt for a boat tour from Amsterdam to Volendam. This is a great way to start off your day trip—you’ll see some spectacular countryside views as your boat slowly meanders its way through canals and streams past Amsterdam’s iconic cityscape.

Generally speaking these boat tours—of which there are many companies offering them—depart from Amsterdam Central Station and take roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Volendam.

Go by Private Tour

If you’re looking for a more custom experience and don’t want to bother with public transportation at all, there are companies that offer private day tours from Amsterdam that take in all three of these towns. These companies usually guarantee transportation and provide an experienced guide to lead you around the area as well.

If this is an option you’re looking into, make sure to book early in advance as private day tours tend to fill up fast! Here’s a link for you to book an amazing all-inclusive private trip. Generally speaking these tours depart from Amsterdam Central Station, last 9 hours in total, and cost between €80-120 per person depending on who offers it.

Volendam

As soon as you reach Volendam, your adventure starts. To many tourists it may feel like a scene right out of a fairy tale—its meticulous cobblestone streets are lined with colorful buildings that shimmer in the sunlight in summer and lighting up after sunset during winter months.

Sites worth visiting in Volendam include;

• The Volendams Museum – an interactive museum that delves into life in the village in all its glory throughout the ages.
• The Statue of Dirk Hartog – famed explorer who discovered Australia and was born here in Volendam
• The harbour – gorgeous views of canalboats gliding peacefully amidst reflections of vibrant colors
• Stadsboerderij – a farm within city limits where you can learn more about traditional Dutch agriculture

Walking around Volendam is always a treat: we highly recommend dedicating at least half a day just to exploring all the sights and sounds Volendam has to offer. Or if you’d rather sit back and enjoy the ride instead of being on foot, hop on one of the sightseeing boat tours on offer here to get a different vantage point of the town from its stunning waterways.

When it comes time to eat here, you’ll be spoiled for choice: for some traditional specialties including fish dishes (this is a fishing village after all!) we recommend stopping by one of Volendam’s many well-known restaurants. Be sure to try their signature snack while here: local “lekkerbek” fish that is fried in a thin batter and served with your choice of sauces! Delicious!

Edam

The next destination on your tour will be charming Edam. This small town is mostly known for one thing: cheese! As soon as you reach its narrow cobblestone streets and spot its many cheese vending machines, you’ll know why it has become a favorite amongst both locals and tourists alike.

The cheese made in Edam has been considered some of the very best in Holland since as early as the 15th century; due to its sheer quality, it even became a favorite with much-favored Dutch merchants who sold it around Europe! And today it still very much retains its beloved status—so don’t forget to pick up some souvenir wheels of cheese from one of those many machines!

Apart from its cheese offerings, there are also great places here such as St Nicolas church (where you can enjoy a unique ding-dong carillon concert if you visit at certain times), Edam de Boer (a family bistro serving up delicious burgers and sandwiches) as well as a vast array of shopping opportunities throughout its streets that includes everything from boutiques and souvenir shops to curio stores offering rare gems from days long forgotten!

Zaanse Schans

The final stop on your tour will be the mesmerizing Zaanse Schans. Famed worldwide for its many windmills dotting the prairie countryside along its banks, this place is like something out of a postcard—especially when reaching it via boat tour! As you make your way down slowly past 17th century Dutch homes that serve more as little museums than actual houses today, pay attention to the many working windmills (some of which are still operational) that line this part of Holland’s countryside—one of which you can even enter yourself!

At Zaandijk opposite Zaanse Schans, don’t miss out on authentic Dutch architecture such as De Kat (Cat) windmill or Het Jonge Schaap (Young Sheep) windmill—the latter being so-called due to a sheep carved out of wood that stands on top of it! Other locations worth visiting include Klinkersstraat and Conincspoort—the oldest street here lined with rustic dwellings that give off an old world charm no foreign traveler can deny!

The Final Verdict – Is It Worth It?

All in all, embarking on a Volendam, Edam, & Zaanse Schans day trip from Amsterdam is definitely one worth taking (assuming perfect weather conditions). From cultural immersion to mouth-watering snacks, indulging in soothing Dutch countryside views to exploring age-old windmills—this particular day trip is an absolute treat no traveler should pass up while visiting Amsterdam!

Don’t miss out on taking advantage of this all-inclusive private day trip, so you can spend less time worrying about transportation and more time enjoying these three perfect locations north of Amsterdam!