• Private Tour
• Carbon Neutral

Get a taste of traditional Holland on a private tour to Zaanse Schans! Learn all about the Dutch culture from your local insider. You'll even step inside a working windmill. Can't wait to take awesome pictures? Today is your lucky day: a photography workshop and photo session are included!

Destination

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Category

Photo Tours

Duration

4 hours

Transport mode

Public Transport

Available languages

English, Deutsch, Nederlands, Русский

Included

• Private guide
• Wooden shoes workshop
• Entrance to: Zaanse Schans, grocery shop, cheese factory
• Professional photoshoot

Excluded

• Transport costs, entrance tickets, parking

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with Roelof.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Amsterdam Centraal - Amsterdam to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Meeting Point

   Amsterdam CS

4. Crossing Bridge

   Let's capture the bridge over the river Zaan

5. Old Shop

   Visit the old grocery shop 'Albert Heijn'

6. Spices & Windmills

   Go to the windmill Huisman located on top of a spice warehouse

7. Cheese Tasting

   Stop in a Small factory and try some cheeses

8. Wooden Shoes

   See how the famous wooden shoes or 'klompen' are produced

9. Let's See the Photos

   Finish up by seeing all the pictures that I took!

10. Make it yours

    Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

    Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

    Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

I can personalize this tour for you

• Tell me your preferred date and group size
• Tell me your preferences and wishes so I can customize the tour for you
• Wait for my personal offer in your inbox!

Contact me

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Jeff

20 October 2018

We had a wonderful day with Roelof in Amsterdam. We booked a private tour with Roelof that began on arrival in Amsterdam after an overnight flight. He was accommodating to our specific requests and very knowledgeable. We would highly recommend Roelof. Jeff and Kelly Roelof goes over and above

Kate🇨🇦 Canada

5 October 2018

Roelof is why we do tours like this. Zaanse Schans is lovely and you could easily take the train trip there on your own, but having the running commentary of someone who grew up in the area allows you more insight into the area and culture, and that's why you want to travel, right? That, plus Roelof is lovely and and you would want to spend time with him anyway. Roelof a Great Dutch Host

Samuel

2 October 2018

My wife and I had the pleasure of touring with Roelof. He was very informative and very nice. He is an excellent photographer as well! If you get a chance to sign up for one of walking tours - please do so! You won’t be disappointed!!Amazing time with Roelof!

Dan🇺🇸 United States

25 August 2018

I'm a photographer instructor in California so my goal in hiring Roelof was not to get help with my camera but to have a guide to show me good vantage points that I might not have discovered on my own. My wife, on the other hand, is not a photographer at all and was more interesting in learning about history and culture. Roelof did quite well on both accounts. We booked Roelof to meet us at Zaanse Schans late in the afternoon (when the light would hopefully be better and the crowds would be starting to thin) and spent several hours going to his favorite spots. At the end we still had some time left so he drove us to another location that I'd seen online to photograph a somewhat unique building and he then drove us back to our hotel in Amsterdam. Roelof is a really nice fellow with lots of good stories and history to share. He has an easy going manner but at the same time is on top of his game. Although my wife and I had been at Zaanse Schans all day before meeting up with Roelof, he was still able to take me to some excellent shooting spots that I had missed on my own and also pointed out perspectives that hadn't occurred to me which were quite good. The next day he sent me some shots he took when we were together to show me his artistic view of the scenes we photographed together. So, all in all, a good experience and worth what we paid. DanJust what I wanted

Erzsi

3 August 2018

Our experience with Roelof was fantastic.He was very knowledgeable and I can’t say enough about how accommodating he was.The nicest man you would want to meet.He made me feel very comfortable.I felt like I’ve known him my whole life.He went above and beyond.Definitely would recommend this photography tour.I give this tour 10 stars. Thanks again Roelof!Fantastic!

Dianne🇮🇹 Italy

27 June 2018

Roef was a great host and punctual with a great local knowledge of his local area. His help and assistance with the camera and how to utilise all the scenery within our photos was extremely helpful- highly recommend himExcellent and professional

KAREN🇺🇸 United States

20 June 2018

Six of us took a tour of the windmills with Roelof. He met us at the train station where we hopped on for a 20 minute ride to the area. He was very knowledgeable, easy to understand, patient with the six of us going all different directions, took us to cheese tasting, watched them make clogs (amazing) and stopped at a little bakery for some yummy treats. The day was rainy but we had a great time. He is a photographer so took some great shots of us and is sending them to us when we get back home in July. Highly recommend touring with Roelof. Wonderdul experience

Chris🇺🇸 United States

12 June 2018

Roelof was an excellent host. He was knowledgeable about the area and the windmills. He helped my son with taking photographs, which was awesome. He was patient with us and flexible. I highly recommend. A day to remember

Kelly🇺🇸 United States

3 May 2018

We had a great time meeting Roelof! Great communication and easy meeting instructions. He was very polite and knowledgeable about the windmills and the area. He even brought us a greeting gift. If you're looking for a windmill tour, this one is not to be missed, he is the BEST!!! FABULOUS!!

betsy🇺🇸 United States

26 April 2018

Roelof was an excellent guide and I highly recommend him. He picked us up at our hotel in Amsterdam. Roelof took us to a delightful fishing village, Volendam, and we enjoyed a grand walkabout. Had some lunch and then off to Zaanstadt for the windmills, the cheese factory, and taste testing, and on to the clog making demonstration with Roelof’s continued explanations and stories. He took us to see the North Sea and stopped at numerous tulip fields, so I could take a zillion pictures! He gave us chocolate, provided us with bottles of water, but most importantly - he was a safe driver and VERY knowledgeable. Excellent guide! Thank you, Roelof! Incredible day with Roelof!

Bernd🇦🇹 Austria

29 March 2018

We had an interessting tour with Roelof. We went outside of Amsterdam to Zanse Schans. Despite of the bad weather Roelof could show us good places to take pictures and how to make better pictures. We got many information about the Windmills and the place. We got tasty chocolate (btw ty again ;-) ) , smelled a lot of cacao in the air, we could taste spices, taste dutch cheese and see how to clogs are produced. Thank you for the great afternoon!!Zaanse Schans Windmills Tour with Roelof

Ramona🇦🇹 Austria

18 March 2018

We really enjoyed our tour with Roelof. Good communication before the tour. He picked us up from the trainstation and then it was around 20 minutes by train to Zaandijk where we walked some minutes to Zaanse Schans which is a very lovely area with small green historic houses and windmills. We walked around took a lot of photos - Roelof gave us some tips and helped us with the right settings of our camera and also told us some information about this area. Moreover he took some nice photos with his camera which he already send us the next day. He was really friendly, patient and helpful. I give 9/10 because Zaanse Schans would also be easy to explore yourself, in my opinion Roelof could have give even more information (maybe also general about the Netherlands, the people,...). For 2 people I think it was a bit expensive, also we had to pay extra for the train and for going inside the windmill (but Roelof told us before - that what good!) - all the other things we visited where free anyway. Altogether we enjoyed and can recommend - especially for those who like to take photos!Beautiful windmills + tips for photographi

Edwin🇺🇸 United States

28 October 2017

This tour was awesome and Roelof maked it super enjoyable, taking us to wind mills and explaining the history of the area. Thank you Roelof for your tour and friendliness. Amsterdam tour

Jennifer🇨🇭 Switzerland

24 October 2017

We LOVED our tour with Roelof! It was really lovely to get out of the city for a bit and tour the beautiful windmill town with Roelof, and so nice to be with a local host and not with a tour bus group. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the town and windmills and we learned so much. He is also a brilliant photographer and gave us lots of good advice even though we are only "iPhone photographers". He was so patient and kind, giving our 13-year-old a chance to take pictures with his own expert camera and showing him what to look for, framing his subjects, etc., which was a big thrill for him-we really appreciated that. The pictures are all fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with Roelof.Great Day with Roelof

Ian🇨🇦 Canada

17 October 2017

Amazing guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. Fantastic photography tips 100% recommend!!!10/10

Cheryl🇨🇦 Canada

30 August 2017

It was like being met by a friend who was showing us around. Roelof is friendly and accommodating and we had a very nice time with him. Zaanse Schans is really interesting and with Roelof guiding us, we enjoyed our visit more than if we were wandering on our own. We also got some good photo hints, which we are using as we continue our vacation! The one thing I would recommend is buying your train ticket before meeting up with Roelof, as it was a bit rushed to get our tickets and get to the train.Wonderful

Doug🇺🇸 United States

29 August 2017

Roelof was fantastic and is a top notch photographer. He exceded any expectation I had for this evening tour. He covered my points of interest and I learned a great deal. I not knowing much about the train system and it being dark, Roelof went above and beyond his duty by driving me back to my room. Besides being a great instructor, he is a good caring person. You are lucky to have him. Doug B.Zane Schans Tour

Kathleen🇺🇸 United States

25 August 2017

Roelof gave my daughter and me a most wonderful tour and photography lessons in Zaanse Schans. Roelof met us promptly at the central station and guided us through ticketing for the train. On the train, he gave my daughter lessons on how to set her camera for the best shots. Then as we walked to Zaanse Schans, he shared the history of the area with us. Once in Zaanse Schans, he combined history and photography lessons as he guided us through the various shops and windmill. My daughter, who is studying photography at a university, said she gained a lot of knowledge from Roelof, and she used that new information during our week-long journey through Scotland the next week. It is a pleasure to travel and learn with Roelof, and we never could have appreciated Zaanse Schans, the shops, the views, and the workings of the mills on our own as we did with Roelof. I highly recommend this tour, and I would suggest making it the private tour so you can have the one-on-one experience. Thank you, Roelof, for a wonderful experience!Wonderful Tour!

Dianne🇳🇿 New Zealand

23 August 2017

We really enjoyed our tour. Roelof tailored the tour to our needs and interests. He was knowledgable and helpful. Thank you. Zaanse Schans Windmills Tour

Eugene🇺🇸 United States

1 August 2017

My family spent an afternoon with Roelof. We really enjoyed the entire experience and felt comfortable with him and got much more out of our visit to the windmills because of him. His expertise with a camera was also appreciated. We highly recommend him. Get a private tour instead of a crowd with headphones.Great experience

LORRAINE🇨🇦 Canada

25 July 2017

Roelof was a great guide for us and our young grandsons as he shared his stories of windmills, cheese, wooden shoes and the spectacular Rembrandt sky. The highest praise came from the boys who "thought he was pretty cool." The photos he later sent us will be a wonderful remembrance for our time spent here.A wonderful day

Nadine🇺🇸 United States

8 July 2017

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with My husband, my 16 year old daughter, and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Roelof to see Zaanse Schans and the windmills. Roelof is very pleasant to be with and friendly. The tour was leisurely and catered toward our interests. Roelof is very knowledgeable about photography and offered some real pearls regarding the use of our cameras to take the best pictures. We would highly recommend Roelof and this tour. Wonderful tour with Roelof!

Kurt🇺🇸 United States

21 December 2016

Our family recently took a fantastic tour with Roelof. It was a very interesting day for photography as it was quite foggy. Roelof was extremely helpful with tips about shooting in those conditions. He was also very helpful and considerate with our three teenage children. I would highly recommend a trip with Roelof. Not a typical 3 hour tourist event. Fun, informative and personalized.Terrific time with Roelof

linda

22 October 2016

Roelof is a wonderful guide. He is very interesting and flexible, and he was very accommodating to us. We had some last minute changes in our schedule and he couldn't have been nicer to meet our requests. He is a fascinating person, gives a wonderful Dutch perspective, and very enjoyable to be with. I would highly recommend him!an afternoon with Roelof

Donna

16 August 2016

We had a great day with Roelof at Zaanse Schans. He is a great source of information about the area, and also about photography. We appreciated his flexibility in tailoring the itinerary for our interests and our timetable. Scenic Zaanse Schans

Vicente

8 August 2016

Roelof is a great human being, photographer and guide. I highly recommend his tour. Visiting the Windmills with him was our greatest experience while in Amsterdam. He was patient and knowledgable. Thanks a lot.Zaanse Schans Windmills & Photography Tour

Chaz

20 June 2016

Roelof met us promptly at our meet point, was personable and conveyed his knowledge of the area in an easy going manner throughout the entire tour. He assisted with camera use tips, the framing of postcard like photos and was more than patient with our desire to see this or that or capture a photograph in a particular manner. He gauged his sense of humor to our small group and he was kind enough to ensure we boarded the correct transport back to our accommodations when our tour was complete. We loved our tour day with Roelof and would recommend him to anyone wishing to tour. We found the area beautiful, interesting and relevant. Overall, it was an incredible experience. Thanks Roelof! Zaanse Schans Windmills & Photography Tour

Sarah🇬🇧 United Kingdom

23 June 2015

Roelof’s Photo Tour of Zaanse Shans was an awesome way to experience the iconic Dutch windmill town near Amsterdam and get some great photos along the way! We first visited the mustard seed windmill where Roelof explained how to make pictures inside the low light of the windmill. He then led us to the best points in Zaanse Shans to get amazing overall shots of many windmills in one photo. From there we went to a paint pigment windmill and climbed up to the top to get a gorgeous view of Zaanse Shans from up high. It was incredible to see the engineering inside a working windmill! We also visited a logging windmill, chocolate shop, cheese shop, and wooden shoe museum all in the same walkable area that Roelof knows like the back of his hand. And as a local and Dutch speaker, Roelof was able to get us the local’s access to everything. I highly recommend Roelof as a friendly, knowledgeable guide to Zaanse Shans who can make sure you get amazing photos of your visit with any camera!Zaanse Schans Windmills & Photography Tour

Anna🇺🇸 United States

30 May 2023

Our flight arrived to Amsterdam Airport in the morning. Since our accommodations were available only in the afternoon we took advantage of Roelof's arrangements to pick us up at the airport and see around a bit. He took us to charming Haarlem, where we were able to explore the town and unwind after an overnight flight. After the tour he drove us to our apartment in Amsterdam and helped with the door locks and luggage. Roelof was super helpful. He is an easy- going and interesting person. Friendly and helpful

Jeanette🇨🇦 Canada

2 May 2022

I had a very pleasant day with Roelof. All three of the places we visited (Haarlem, Zaanse Shans, Giethoorn) more than met my expectations. The countryside

Kazlinda

21 May 2018

I booked this tour for my mother and I couldn't have chosen a better guide. Correspondence was very easy with Roelof. He was very flexible with what we wanted. He came on time and treated my mom like a rockstar. Even gave her a parting gift of dutch chocolates. Will definitely book with Roelof again if we are in Amsterdam!Awesome personal guide

Teresa🇺🇸 United States

15 October 2017

We were a group of 7 who enjoyed our morning with Roeloff immensely. He was comfortable, and enjoyable to spend time with, knowledgeable and we are looking forward to the photos he willingly took of our group. A delightful morning! Thank you Roeloff.Zans Schans

James

10 September 2015

This was an incredible way to get out of Amsterdam for a day and capture some amazing images of real working windmills. Roelof guided us through the history of the area and pointed out many great compositions for our photos. So many great photos from the day! I highly recommend this experience.A customized trip with Roelof