Discover the incredible history of Zaanstreek, the very first industrialized region of Europe at the Zaans Museum. During the Dutch Golden Age, the region became known for its innovative and pioneering methods of industrial production, which helped the Netherlands to the height of its economic success.
The Zaanstreek was home to a vast array of windmills, sawmills, brush factories, oil mills, and dyeworks, all of which played an important role in the country’s remarkable economic growth.
Today, the Zaanstreek is still home to a number of industrial sites, offering visitors a unique insight into the origins of the Netherlands’ industrial revolution.
Zaans Museum
- Age: All ages
- Time needed to visit Zaans Museum: About 1 hour
- Where in Amsterdam: It is not in Amsterdam, but in Zaandam. Schansend 7, 1509 AW Zaandam, Netherlands
- Discount possible?: Yes, for kids and students
- Can you use the iamsterdam pass for Zaans Museum?: You can use your Iamsterdam City card to visit the Zaans Museum for free
- Neighborhood: Zaandam
- Close to: Zaanse Schans
What is the Zaans Museum?
Opened in 1998, The Zaans Museum is a museum in the municipality of Zaanstad close to the Zaanse Schans. It is housed in a contemporary designed building of 16,500 m³ (designed by architect Cor van Hillo). The Zaans Museum is made up of several sections. Together with the Verkade Pavilion (telling you about the Dutch chocolate and cocoa industr) the Zaans Museum offers a fascinating insight into Zaan’s industrial history.
Why is the Zaanstreek an important area in the past?
The Zaanstreek in the Netherlands is an important area in the past because it was the birthplace of the Dutch industrial revolution. The area is renowned for its many windmills, which were used to power the various industries that sprang up in the area during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was a key area for the production of oil, paint, paper and textiles, and even chocolate. The area is still home to a number of active windmills and is currently a popular tourist destination.
Verkade Experience: learn more about the chocolate industry and make your own chocolate wrapper
The museum offers a number of interactive activities and one of them is the Verkade Experience. At the very center of the museum lies the Verkade Experience, an attraction that is sure to bring joy to both the young and the old!
Step back in time to the chocolate and biscuit factory of the early twentieth century, where you can find the original machines in motion, and be captivated by the remarkable history of Verkade.
You’ll be able to see, touch, and feel the very same things that the factory workers did all those decades ago. A very cool activity that you can do here is to make your own chocolate wrapper. You can purchase a chocolate bar of your choice for €2,50 at the ticket desk and create a unique Verkade wrapper using your own design and colour scheme. Once you are satisfied with your design, you can use the mini packaging machine to wrap your chocolate bar with your own personalized wrapper.
Can you do a tour at the Zaans Museum?
The Zaans Museum offers an audio tour which you can do to get a better understanding of the collection. The audio tour is available in multiple languages and is really recommended!
Who should visit the Zaans Museum?
The Zaans Museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the area. It is also a great place to explore the beautiful Dutch countryside. Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or a relaxing day out, the Zaans Museum will provide you and your family with an unforgettable experience. This museum is suitable if you are travelling with (small) kids.
How to get to the Zaans Museum?
The Zaans Museum is located in the municipality of Zaanstad, a neighboring city of Amsterdam. The easiest way to get to the Zaans Museum if to take bus 391 from Amsterdam Central Station. This bus will bring you to a bus stop called “Zaanse Schans” and from there, it is a 2 minute walk to the Zaans Museum.
5 reasons why you should visit the Zaans Museum during your next trip in Amsterdam:
1. Learning more about the history of this area: Zaans Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of the Zaan region, which is the area around Amsterdam. It tells the story of how the Dutch industry, especially the windmill industry, has shaped the area and the country as a whole. It is an interesting and interactive way to learn about the history of the Netherlands.
3. Exhibitions: The museum offers a wide range of exhibitions, from a permanent display of the history of the region to temporary exhibitions. In this museum you will even find a couple of paintings painted by Claude Monet!
3. The surrounding: The museum is surrounded by typical Dutch scenery: a lot of grass fields and cows, which you will only see if you leave Amsterdam. This is a great place to relax and take in the beauty of the Zaan region.
4. Free entrance with the Iamsterdam City Card! You can visit the Zaan Museum free with the Iamsterdam City Card.
5. Located close to the Zaanse Schans: The Zaan Museum is located just next to the famous Zaanse Schans, so after you have visited this museum you can enter the Zaanse Schans (free entrance) and make your day trip in this area complete!
Buy Your Zaans Museum Tickets with Free Cancellation
With millions of people visiting Amsterdam every year, Amsterdam is a very popular travel destination. This means that tickets for popular tourist attractions are quickly sold out or that there are often long queues in front of the ticket counter. It is therefore recommended to buy your Zaans Museum tickets in advance, then you know that you can visit this place for sure when you are visiting Amsterdam.
🛎️ If you buy your tickets online, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can even get into the building quicker. This will save you lots of precious time in Amsterdam. With a ticket in your inbox, you have nothing to worry about.
Where is Zaans Museum located on the Map?
The Zaans Museum is located outside of Amsterdam, close to a city called Zaandam. You can take a bus from Amsterdam Central Station to get to this museum.
Source: Zaans Museum