The Netherlands: A Dreamy Day in the Dutch Countryside
Think Amsterdam is dreamy? Wait until you meet its countryside cousins—brimming with rustic charm, cheesy delights, and old-world magic. Beyond the buzz of the city, a whole new world of Dutch enchantment awaits.
A trip to the Netherlands isn't complete without venturing beyond Amsterdam’s vibrant streets. The classic Dutch countryside tour is something I will never forget. It felt like stepping into a postcard—windmills turning in wide open fields, cozy fishing villages, and cheese as far as the eye can see (yes, please!)."
Stop 1: Zaanse Schans – Classic Windmills
Our first destination was Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum village known for its iconic windmills. These aren’t just for show—many are still operational and serve various purposes, like grinding spices, sawing wood, and producing oil.
We had the chance to step inside one of the towering windmills (yes, climb those steep wooden steps!) and get a close-up look at the massive inner workings. The miller explained how the windmill harnesses wind power to drive its machinery and how it produces oil. We even ventured up to the platform, standing just a few metres away from the enormous spinning blades—a little scary, but very cool.
Fun Fact: Zaanse Schans once boasted over 1,000 windmills, making it an industrial hub during the Dutch Golden Age. Today, only a handful remain, beautifully preserved.
Tips: Entrance to the village is free, but some windmills and museums require a small fee. History buffs won’t want to miss the nearby Zaans Museum for a deeper dive into the region’s past.
Zaanse Schans is also easy to explore on your own—visit in the late afternoon or early evening, when the light softens, the windmills glow, and the whole place feels like a fairytale.
Stop 2: Volendam – Cheese & Stroopwafels Heaven
Next stop: Volendam, a charming fishing village known for its colorful houses and peaceful harbor. But the real highlight? The cheese!
Inside a local cheese factory, we watched a fun, informative demonstration on how traditional Dutch cheese is made—from curdling and pressing to aging. We also learned about the difference between young and aged cheese.
Afterward, we wandered through the shop where a variety of cheeses were on display. And then came the tasting. Rows of samples awaited us—truffle, garlic, cumin, pesto, even lavender. My favorite? The smoked cheese, which we had to take home.
After the cheese factory, we made our way to the Stroopwafel Museum, where we got to see firsthand how these delicious Dutch treats are made. And of course, we tried a freshly made stroopwafel—oh, it was absolutely amazing!
Cheese Tip: The Netherlands is one of the world’s largest cheese exporters. Gouda and Edam are the most famous, but don’t skip the flavored varieties—they’re boldly delicious.
Volendam Tip: The village is also known for its traditional Dutch costumes. You can visit photo studios and dress up for a fun souvenir!
Stop 3: Marken – Charming Clogs
After lunch in Volendam, we boarded a ferry across the water to Marken—a tiny village on a peninsula, known for its wooden houses on stilts and quiet beauty. The views from the ferry were serene and breezy, and the village itself felt like stepping back in time.
As we passed by picturesque houses, we headed to a clog-making shop, where a craftsman demonstrated how traditional wooden shoes (klompen) are made. An "old-school" machine was used to shape, hollow out, and smooth the clogs (though I’m not sure what it’s called!). The process was surprisingly quick and incredibly satisfying to watch.
Of course, we couldn’t resist trying on a few pairs—bright yellow, red, blue, patterned, plain—you name it. They were surprisingly comfortable (and made for great photos!).
Clog Fact: Traditional Dutch clogs were originally designed to protect farmers' feet in marshy terrain. Today, they’re more symbolic and typically worn during cultural celebrations.
What I Loved About This Day
✔ Learned so much in just one day—how windmills work, how cheese is made, how clogs are crafted.
✔ The perfect break from city life—fresh air, open skies, and peaceful villages.
✔ So many hands-on moments: climbing a windmill, tasting cheese, trying on clogs.
Tour Tip: This tour was super smooth and well-paced. If you’re short on time but want to get a taste of traditional Dutch life, this one’s a must. Most tours start from Amsterdam and include transport, ferry rides, and entry to the demonstrations.
I would do it again in a heartbeat. The Dutch countryside is full of charm, craft, and culture—and it’s all just an hour or so from the city. A perfect addition to exploring Amsterdam in 3 days!
Sep '23