Zaandam Car Tours: Top 5 Picks for an Unforgettable Trip

So, you’re thinking about seeing Zaandam by car? That’s really a fantastic idea! It gives you, like your own way, to explore all these really neat spots at your own pace, too it’s almost as though the whole town and surrounding region is your playground! And trust me, there’s more to Zaandam than just those Instagram-famous green houses! So, whether you are visiting or nearby you might have interest in renting a car. That would likely be the first place you would begin your visit to Zaandam! Is that why it can become tricky to narrow down the best routes, especially if it’s your first visit, right? So, that’s where I can assist. This guide looks a bit at five fantastic car tours, each providing, you know, very different flavors of Zaandam. So, let’s get moving, alright?

1. Zaandam Windmills & Waterlands Tour

Want to take, you know, that picture-postcard of Holland look? The Zaandam Windmills & Waterlands tour tends to be a real crowd-pleaser for pretty clear reasons. So, imagine, you’re setting off from Zaandam, and just a little ways out, bam!, there you are, face-to-face with Zaanse Schans. It’s almost like stepping straight into another century! It is so perfect, almost too perfect! The tour gets very underway by the windmills, these remarkable and creaky giants. They tend to be spinning, the water reflecting in a very clear light. So, is that every element is captured so it delivers the sensation of living inside a Dutch Golden Age painting?

As a matter of fact, you wouldn’t want to, like, rush this spot. You really should explore the area a little, check out all the cute little stores. You might try to witness, like your traditional craft demonstrations (clog making! Cheese sampling!). Then, when you’ve loaded up your camera and most likely sampled some very local delights, you just need to continue. Head toward the Waterland villages, which, really, it’s where the fun really starts. Picture yourself, you know, just easing via these serene little places, such as Broek in Waterland or Marken, which really will provide you with these experiences that will likely make your vacation last a lifetime in memory.

The little houses in vivid colours can be fun and entertaining. I’ve seen this many, very times while you will be winding through slender canals. That should likely make you are going to be extremely grateful. It’s kind of similar, or almost the same, like a place where time is really slowed down. You may stop in for some fish? The cafes generally have very kind folks running them. So, too it’s almost something out of a dream!

Why It Rocks: As a matter of fact, a superblend, I mean really it is so super, of cultural icons, scenic beauty and just plain Dutch charm.
Good For: Actually, it’s perfect if you would love a complete experience that is pretty holistic of Dutch life, culture and visual experiences.
Insider Tip: You know, arrive a bit earlier at Zaanse Schans, like early morning. The crowds won’t be pretty big early! That, generally, makes you stay, for the reason that I mentioned before about picture perfect experiences!

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2. Historic Haarlem & Coastal Drive

So, are you interested in culture and fresh air, or are those elements even important to you? If so, you will find yourself gravitating to Haarlem and a coastal driving tour. It takes you to Zaandam into Haarlem, which very gives off a great feel with loads of personality. It can almost be said the trip is just outside of Amsterdam. You may be taken back by these Medieval architectures and a market place with plenty of history.

Take, you know, some time to explore the Grote Markt. A feast is what this could be described as because you have to taste food and find unique items. In particular, I found myself at the very great St. Bavo Church, or rather, it was super great. That had many things to enjoy! I, I do recall having been taken back at, for example, the Christian Müller organ; Handel and Mozart have actually graced those keys at different junctures! The tour very usually proceeds toward the shoreline once you might be prepared to leave this historic town, so take as long as possible! The coastal path gives you a bit of air on the way towards Zandvoort or Bloemendaal aan Zee.

Are you feeling for, actually, to get rid of sand between your toes, like the beaches are amazing and stunning?! Should that feel a bit adventurous, visit South Kennemerland National Park, which has trails and places that, really, makes them unique. That usually turns into these drives when you’re just taking your time!

Why It Rocks: That has a unique blend in old city explorations which tend to transition to breezy shoreline escapades!
Good For: Generally it’s a good tour if your vibe is mixing some past-timey spots while taking a little time out for recreation!
Insider Tip: You should try lunch at a local Haarlem cafe. Actually the menus that provide herring or bitterballen are very worth experiencing!

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3. Edam & Volendam: The Quintessential Dutch Villages

So, have you heard about Edam and Volendam? These locations, you know, are a must if your looking at traveling on the classic Holland tour from your imagination, in fact, many make sure they are included for just that reason! From Zaandam it makes for an easy drive into Edam, that often will cause you to be surrounded by historic streets and buildings.

And just maybe take a stroll through the main area? The cheese marketplace is something you, yourself, may want to see! I actually like Edam because there is very that small, quieter environment as opposed to Amsterdam. It will also make you less prone to stress! I really will tell anyone who may or may not be listening about how I felt like I just had stepped back a bit, more or less, into another realm entirely; there, very really, is nothing like it, honest to God! Anyway, you want to drive toward Volendam, where that can give this feeling, pretty awesome if you have children.

So, I mean seriously, just picture all that water on the harbor with those fishing boats? That pretty really sets, you know, an impression! Take your chances, or I would recommend it that, it could very possibly be perfect if it ends, right at, lunchtime or even later. Actually go by for sea foods, but rather go into some of the stores. You just, for instance, can maybe see somebody, so to speak, like, just being set up in these vintage clothes and snapping all sorts of photos? This really may seem tacky but just picture this for yourself in the experience; if anything your probably going to be satisfied later, okay?

Why It Rocks: To be clear the essence is being completely traditional in an area, yet a fun type!
Good For: Should that experience become more of something, actually its like a classic Netherlands scene setting with its great charm and personality.
Insider Tip: So, don’t skip the seafood. Also, consider some opportunities, you understand, that allow you dress and taking photographs of it since this experience will certainly leave you grinning. It, truly, has!

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4. Amsterdam Area Countryside Tour (North)

Are you, yourself, trying to find some countryside just very adjacent Amsterdam? Then that area’s northern locale is more or less like an oasis that can remove you from this crowded city lifestyle into more greenery. So, the starting place may perhaps commence from Zaandam toward places where you will soon come face to face with farms or even just wide-open polders.

As a matter of fact, you are going to pass all this as it guides, really just guides, the trip towards small, very little communities and villages. These should be taken slowly. This can, too it’s almost, mean just cruising along just for the sights; for example, taking photos is actually probably needed! You know, consider locations like Durgerdam or Zunderdorp that are situated, arguably, alongside a canal. This makes things extremely simple and it’s not that complicated to travel, really! Take some time. Some consider those stops extremely perfect.

Very often a visit involves something very cultural! So, as I mentioned it might, potentially be just one farm visit! I’m being very true and honest when the farms you get to taste a piece of dairy produced where the ingredients come mostly locally, okay? Should you think, maybe, the water area would feel a little more ideal then travel into IJsselmeer; there, honestly, are a multitude of beaches there if its really something your excited to relax on. The North sounds probably like its got all these kinds of stuff packed in to your stay from start to close!

Why It Rocks: This should just about take city slickers towards all greenery but rather just gives experiences into more rural-feeling lands!
Good For: So, for this scenario the tour feels likely to feel more ideal because a bunch of the tourist attractions would most usually involve a nature theme.
Insider Tip: You may or may not be looking when setting aside, potentially, something extra for stops inside regional restaurants while really getting to try all these specialties for, yourself; take a look. Take that opportunity!

Read our full review: Amsterdam Area Countryside Tour Full Review and Details
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5. Muiden Castle & Naarden Fortress Tour

To be clear if the old history combined using gorgeous sceneries looks a whole bunch like an experience your willing you need? Then visit what they have called the Muiden Castle but rather a visit along side this destination toward the Fort Naarden, that, frankly will show to those the moments with Netherland back-stories! Travel commences out from Zaandam driving into Muiden so after that can certainly put themselves straight inside their historical sites. You will see a fort so you understand, very great because that goes completely with trenches just such as what they use inside fairy tales plus ancient rooms with all the historical antiquities. It’s truly gorgeous with all this history inside something historical but well placed together. This comes out feeling rather royal as you continue your path, actually!

From after the stronghold area head over toward Naarden, it shows itself probably because all the shape with stars because fortifications tend to stand with integrity by old centuries back when. A wander would possibly seem to show off these old lanes alongside an attractive building, also a massive church that really can just tell from the background how high the ceilings stand tall!

Now a travel inside is an event for itself so those need something a little past old than take just a bit more moments. To make things crystal you need to check out from Muiden even more plus Fort Naarden as it turns into an intriguing historical view but gives these glances towards how excellent from the regions, and truly probably worth an end location so the time doesn’t fall out!

Why It Rocks: It usually ends up creating these mixes inside the middle-period past from the region also, just only beautiful scene selections.
Good For: Just really very top of the game if it looks probably great for those curious to go back over the story in dutch areas besides taking pleasure of their looks.
Insider Tip: Take time by the castles inside museum parts plus find one local eating place nearby just to grab your lunch, that may come in great as those spots have tastes just like those near Netherlands!