Derek Ogilvie - Up Close and Personal
An inspiring evening with Derek Ogilvie at Van der Valk Oostzaan Amsterdam. Experience his unique gift in person.
PlizioGo
A coarse, whole-grain local mustard. It is delicious with Bitterballen or young cheese in riverside pubs.
A sweet, oval-shaped bread native to the region. Buy it fresh from an authentic local bakery.
Fluffy mini-pancakes with butter and powdered sugar. A great warm sweet treat after touring the windmills.
The main shopping street in Zaandam, featuring a restored canal down the middle. Full of popular brands and cafes.
Watch the wooden shoe-making demonstrations and buy a genuine pair of Dutch Klompen or wooden souvenirs.
Take a quiet walk through these peat meadows just behind the windmills, completely away from the crowds.
A large recreational lake east of the city, excellent for lakeside strolls or birdwatching.
Water temperature…
Zaanstad is a major industrial municipality in the province of North Holland, located directly north of Amsterdam and comprising several towns including Zaandam, Krommenie, and Wormerveer. The region along the Zaan River is regarded as the oldest industrial area in Europe, as hundreds of windmills were already being utilized here in the 17th century for processing timber, grain, oil, and paper. The most famous tourist destination is Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum that showcases historical windmills and traditional wooden houses, keeping the industrial heritage alive. Another significant landmark is the Tsar Peter House in Zaandam, where Russian Tsar Peter the Great studied shipbuilding incognito in 1697. The modern architecture of Zaandam's city center gained international fame through the Inntel Hotel, whose facade features a creative stack of traditional Zaan houses. Today, Zaanstad remains a critical hub for the food industry while serving as a popular residential area for those commuting to Amsterdam.
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 75 | 64 | 53 | 40 | 57 | 63 | 81 | 90 | 70 | 78 | 76 | 81 |
See what it looks like near Zaanstad right now.
Amsterdam: vanSoelen · 7.6 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Notable places around
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Start your day with the modern architecture of the Inntel Hotel before diving into history at the Tsar Peter House. At noon, enjoy the art at the Monet Atelier after a visit to the Bullekerk. The afternoon invites you for a relaxing stroll along the Zaan Promenade. End your day in the quiet Wilhelmina Park, letting the city's impressions sink in.
Start your day at the colorful Inntel Hotel, whose facade shines even under grey skies. Spend the morning exploring the Tsar Peter House and Bullekerk, both providing dry refuge from the rain. At noon, the Monet Atelier offers artistic inspiration as raindrops drum on the windows. Spend the afternoon in the covered sections of the Zaan Promenade before ending the day enjoying the fresh, post-rain scents of Wilhelmina Park.
Experience Zaandam in its winter glory, when the lights of the Inntel Hotel turn on early. In the morning, warm up inside the historic Tsar Peter House before visiting the Bullekerk. At noon, the Monet Atelier provides a warm sanctuary for art enthusiasts. The afternoon on the Zaan Promenade is filled with crisp winter air and the scent of hot cocoa, before enjoying the early dusk in Wilhelmina Park.
Start your bike tour at the creative Hembrugterrein. At noon, explore the historic center with the Tsar Peter House and the Inntel Hotel, followed by a break on the Zaan Promenade. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in art at the Monet Atelier before cycling to the day's highlight: the picturesque view of the windmills at Zaanse Schans.
A bike tour in the rain requires the right mindset and gear. Start at Hembrugterrein, where old industrial halls provide shelter. Cycle to the Tsar Peter House and the Inntel Hotel, both striking landmarks in the grey. After a break at the Zaan Promenade, the path leads to the Monet Atelier. The day concludes with a view of Zaanse Schans, where the windmills look particularly dramatic in the rain.
Cycle through the wintery Zaan valley and enjoy the crisp air. Start at the historic Hembrugterrein before heading to the Tsar Peter House. The Inntel Hotel marks the midpoint of your tour in the heart of Zaandam. Along the Zaan Promenade, you'll find plenty of spots for a warm break. Visit the Monet Atelier and finish at Zaanse Schans, when the low sun bathes the windmills in golden light.
In the morning, drive directly to Zaanse Schans. Park your car and explore the Zaans Museum and historic houses on foot. At noon, drive to the center of Zaandam. After parking, admire the Inntel Hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon, stroll to the Tsar Peter House and end the day with a leisurely walk along the Zaan Promenade before heading home.
By car, you can explore Zaanstad comfortably while staying dry. Start at Zaanse Schans, where you can visit the Zaans Museum and the Weaver's House without long exposure to rain. Then drive to the center to see the Inntel Hotel and the Tsar Peter House. The Zaan Promenade offers charming views even in bad weather, either from your window or during short walks between parking garages.
Enjoy a cozy winter drive through the Zaan region. Start at Zaanse Schans, where the windmills are often covered in frost. Visit the Zaans Museum and the Weaver's House for some local history. In the center of Zaandam, the illuminated Inntel Hotel and the Tsar Peter House await you. End the day with a drive along the Zaan Promenade as the city lights reflect in the dark water.
