Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Haarlem: Guided day tour
Private tour with a local expert
5h 15mRound tripPrivate group
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About your trip
Leave Amsterdam behind and step into a storybook—first, at Zaanse Schans, where windmills turn slowly over green fields and the scent of fresh stroopwafels fills the air. Then glide onward to Haarlem, where you can visit the Grote Markt and admire the old church. Two worlds, one unforgettable Dutch day.
Exclusively yours: A premium experience for your group only
Insider insight: Local tips and stories you won’t find online
Perfect balance: Expert guidance with freedom to explore
Ideal for all travelers: Families, friends, or solo adventurers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet your guide right where you prefer in Amsterdam whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your guide is both your expert behind the wheel and knowledgeable host throughout the day. They’ll manage the day’s itinerary, share stories and local knowledge, and make each moment along the route feel richer. At every stop, they’re by your side.Guided experience with space to explore
After picking you up from your accommodation in Amsterdam, your guide will take you to your stops, helping you make the most of your time by guiding you through the attractions that best match your interests. They'll provide helpful orientation and insights, staying with you or giving you space to explore as you prefer. You'll spend your time exactly how you want, creating an unforgettable day that's uniquely yours.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Private professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Attraction admission details specified in the itinerary section below
- Official guided tours inside attractions in Zaanse Schans and Haarlem can be purchased separately - inform us in advance for itinerary planning
From €150
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€450
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Amsterdam
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Zaanse Schans
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included


Nestled on the banks of the Zaan River, the Zaanse Schans Open Air Museum serves up traditional Dutch culture on a platter. In this recreation of a 17th century town, where many of the buildings were brought from around the region for preservation, visitors will find shops and buildings representing every aspect of the Zaan River lifestyle. Visitors can step into a cheese shop to learn about the traditional production process, or purchase some to take home. The museum even has a fully-functioning windmill where visitors can see this traditional staple of the Zaan landscape in action, and learn all about how it works. To see the museum's hours, please visit https://www.dezaanseschans.nl/en/plan-your-visit/opening-hours/
2
Haarlem
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 3 hours - admission not included




Back to Amsterdam
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Know more about your day trip
Zaanse Schans is an open-air conservation area and working community featuring historic windmills, traditional wooden houses, artisan workshops, and small museums. During your 1.5-hour visit, you can explore functioning windmills (some offering demonstrations), watch craftspeople making wooden shoes and cheese, and photograph the iconic green wooden houses. The site provides an authentic glimpse into 18th and 19th century Dutch industrial heritage.
To maximize your 3 hours in Haarlem, start at the central Grote Markt to see the impressive Gothic St. Bavo Church and city hall. Then explore the surrounding streets with their specialty shops and hidden hofjes (courtyard gardens). Visit either the Frans Hals Museum (for Dutch Golden Age art) or Teylers Museum (the Netherlands' oldest museum). Finish with a canal-side drink or meal at one of the atmospheric cafes.
Zaanse Schans is approximately 20 kilometers (25 minutes' drive) north of Amsterdam, while Haarlem is about 20 kilometers (25 minutes' drive) west of Amsterdam. The drive between Zaanse Schans and Haarlem takes roughly 30 minutes. Your private Daytrip driver will handle the transportation logistics between all locations, allowing you to focus on enjoying each destination.
While entry to the Zaanse Schans area itself is free, individual attractions charge separate fees. Windmill visits cost €5-7 each, museums range from €2-10, and workshop demonstrations may have small fees. Consider the Zaanse Schans Card (around €25) if you plan to visit multiple paid attractions. Your driver can advise on current pricing, but these fees are not included in your Daytrip service.
At Zaanse Schans, try traditional Dutch cheese at the cheese farm and sample fresh stroopwafels (syrup waffles) made before your eyes. In Haarlem, consider lunch at Jopenkerk (a brewery in a converted church), try raw herring from a street vendor, or enjoy apple pie at one of the cafes surrounding Grote Markt. Both locations offer excellent opportunities to taste authentic Dutch cuisine.
This day trip is excellent for families. Children enjoy the interactive elements at Zaanse Schans, such as windmill demonstrations, wooden shoe making, and boat rides. Haarlem offers child-friendly museums and spacious squares where kids can run around. The reasonable driving distances between locations make this an appropriate itinerary for families, with plenty of opportunities for breaks and activities that appeal to all ages.
April through October offers the most pleasant experience, with May through September providing the best weather conditions. Zaanse Schans can be quite busy during July and August, so consider a weekday visit during these months. Winter visits have fewer crowds but shorter daylight hours. Some workshops at Zaanse Schans may have reduced operations during the off-season, though the main attractions remain open year-round.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.
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