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Kinderdijk

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Landmark
—°10
Kinderdijk (Netherlands)

Weather…

Kinderdijk has one of the most iconic postcard views of the Netherlands. The 19 windmills, built around 1740, were designed to pump excess water out of the Alblasserwaard polders and into the river. This ingenious system of canals, basins, and mills has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. A visit here provides a first-hand look at the remarkable engineering that has kept the country safe from flooding for centuries. Visitors can explore the site on foot, by bicycle, or via a boat tour along the canals. Two of the windmills are museum mills, showing how miller families once lived and worked in very cramped conditions. The modern visitor center features multimedia exhibits on the history of Dutch water management. Kinderdijk is located near Rotterdam and is best reached by the Waterbus directly from Rotterdam's city center. The site is accessible year-round, but the summer months are most popular due to the longer opening hours of the museum mills. In winter, during hard frosts, there is the rare and magical opportunity to ice skate on the frozen canals between the windmills.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C446913161818161285
Rain mm776655385662788770798185

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The entire area with the windmills is freely accessible and can be visited at any time. A separate ticket is needed to enter the interiors of the mills.
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Typical hours
The outdoor area is open 24/7; the mills are typically open from April to October, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. They are closed in winter.
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Photography
Photography is allowed throughout the site, even with a tripod. In the mills, flash may be prohibited for safety reasons.
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Time needed
A walk around the site takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. If you visit a mill interior and the visitor center, plan for three hours.
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Combine with
Kinderdijk lies between Rotterdam and Dordrecht - both cities are great to combine into a day trip. The waterbus connection to Rotterdam is also appealing.
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Getting there
By car, reach Kinderdijk via the A15, exit 22. Alternatively, waterbus line 20 (Rotterdam-Kinderdijk) runs from April to October.
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Insider tip
Rent a bike in the area - this lets you tour the 19 mills at your own pace. Visit the site at sunset for fantastic photos.

Geography

Population
867 (2025)
Coordinates
51.88333, 4.63333

Facts

  • UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997
  • 19 historic windmills
  • 18th-century drainage system
  • Masterpiece of water management
  • Two museum windmills
  • Accessible by Waterbus
  • Iconic photography location
  • Cycling paths along the canals

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Windmills at KinderdijkWindmills at Kinderdijk<1 km · EExplore →
AlblasserdamAlblasserdam3 km · SEExplore →
RidderkerkRidderkerk3 km · SWExplore →
Krimpen aan den IJsselKrimpen aan den IJssel4 km · NWExplore →
Capelle aan den IJsselCapelle aan den IJssel6 km · NWExplore →
ZwijndrechtZwijndrecht7 km · SExplore →
BarendrechtBarendrecht8 km · SWExplore →
DordrechtDordrecht8 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Kinderdijk (10)

Nederwaard Molen No.1

Poldermolen, part of the Kinderdijk UNESCO site, used for draining the polder.

Museum Windmill Nederwaard🏛 museum

Windmill in Kinderdijk, turned into a museum showing historical milling equipment.

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Nederwaard Molen No.2

Poldermolen, one of eight mills in the Nederwaard group at Kinderdijk.

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Nederwaard Molen No.3

Poldermolen, a working windmill in the Kinderdijk mill network.

Unesco viewpoint - Kinderdijk

Viewpoint overlooking the Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visitor centre Wisboom pumping station🏛 museum

Visitor centre at the Wisboom pumping station, explaining local water management.

Pier 2 Overwaard

Jetty on the Overwaard canal, starting point for boat trips through the mills.

Museummolen Blokweer🏛 museum

Museum windmill in Blokweer, demonstrating traditional miller's craft.

Boezems Kinderdijk

Nature reserve protected under the EU Birds Directive, habitat for waterfowl.

Ridderkerkse Griend

Nature area in Ridderkerk, featuring riparian forest and reed beds.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How many windmills are there in Kinderdijk?
There are 19 historical 18th-century windmills that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Does visiting Kinderdijk cost anything?
The site is free to enter, but you need a ticket for the museums and boat tours.
Can you see the windmills from the inside?
Yes, two of the windmills are open to visitors as museum mills.
What is the best way to reach Kinderdijk from Rotterdam?
Taking the Waterbus is the fastest and most scenic connection.
Are drones allowed in Kinderdijk?
No, flying drones is prohibited throughout the entire UNESCO site.
Kinderdijk: where is it located?
Kinderdijk is located in South Holland, Netherlands.
Kinderdijk: what is there to see?
Highlights include Nederwaard Molen No.1, Museum Windmill Nederwaard, Nederwaard Molen No.2.
Kinderdijk: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Kinderdijk: why is it worth visiting?
Kinderdijk has one of the most iconic postcard views of the Netherlands.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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