Netherlands Zaanse Schans Classic
The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns, and workshops.
It is best known for its collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses.
Don't get the bridge like any tourist toward the cheese factory but continue a few meters further.
It is best known for its collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses.
Don't get the bridge like any tourist toward the cheese factory but continue a few meters further.
Photography Tips
Zaanse Schans is a location worth visiting all year round, but best is in summer due to the nicer weather and beautiful sunset, or Autumn, where you could be blessed with an incredible morning mist if it's not raining.
The location is prevalent amongst tourists, so there are always dozens and dozens of people during peak hours and sunset, so the best time to go is during sunrise.
There are also plenty of windmills that, if you are lucky enough, will all be turned towards the side of the canals and will make for a great panoramic shot. If you want a perfect reflection, go there before the first bus or before the opening hour because the canal draining system is off at night, and the surface of the water is still flat. Take your gear, and also have restaurants nearby if you would like to go for dinner after the shoot.
The location is prevalent amongst tourists, so there are always dozens and dozens of people during peak hours and sunset, so the best time to go is during sunrise.
There are also plenty of windmills that, if you are lucky enough, will all be turned towards the side of the canals and will make for a great panoramic shot. If you want a perfect reflection, go there before the first bus or before the opening hour because the canal draining system is off at night, and the surface of the water is still flat. Take your gear, and also have restaurants nearby if you would like to go for dinner after the shoot.
Travel Information
Zaanse Schans is easily reachable by car, it's about a 20-minute drive from Amsterdam and has private parking where you could park your car for a fee.
It is also easily reachable by train, it has its station, and it is only a 10-minute walk to get on-site from there.
It is also easily reachable by train, it has its station, and it is only a 10-minute walk to get on-site from there.
Spot Type
Outdoor
Crowd Factor
A decent amount of people
Best Timing
Sunset or blue hour/at night
Sunrise & Sunset
08:47 - 16:31
| current local time: 18:34
Photo Themes
Architecture
Before Sunrise
blue hour
Bridge
building
Cheese
Cheese factory
Flemish architecture
historic
Historic building
historic houses
Historic landmark
historic site
Historical site
Historische Häuser
holiday
Landmark
Landscape
Mill
Mühle
museum
Netherlands
Old Town
old village
reflection
reflections
Sunrise
Travel Photography
traveling
Water Reflections
windmills
wooden house
Zaanse Schans
Locations
Zaanse Schand
The Netherlands
Zaanse Schans
Spot Comments (2)