Private Tour Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans

Discover the Dutch Countryside on a Private Tour

Escape the noise and step into two of the Netherlands’ most peaceful corners—Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn. Each offers a different side of the Dutch countryside, both rich with charm, character, and history.

Zaanse Schans gives you a glimpse into the Netherlands of the 18th century, with its windmills and working workshops. Giethoorn, with its quiet canals and thatched houses, feels like a storybook village floating on water.

This private tour gives you the best of both.

Zaanse Schans: Where the Windmills Turn

Zaanse Schans sits just north of Amsterdam. It’s a snapshot of old Holland, built along the banks of the Zaan River. This village was once the heart of Dutch industry, and many of the windmills here still turn like they did hundreds of years ago.

Walk among wooden houses painted in soft greens. Peek inside windmills used for grinding spices or sawing wood. Watch craftsmen carve wooden shoes by hand. Smell fresh cheese aging in traditional farms.

This place isn’t just for looking—it’s for learning and tasting. Every step brings you closer to the life Dutch families lived centuries ago.

What to See and Do in Zaanse Schans

Start with the windmill tour. Step inside and feel the power of the wind turning the giant sails. From up top, you’ll get wide views of the flat Dutch land stretching in every direction.

Visit the clog workshop and see how these famous shoes are made. Sample creamy Gouda and sharp Edam in the cheese farm. Walk through museums filled with antique tools and colorful tales of trade.

For a slower pace, rent a bike or walk the quiet paths between the houses. It’s a peaceful way to take in the smell of grass and river water, and the occasional clatter of wooden shoes on cobblestone.

Giethoorn: Village Without Roads

Now shift to Giethoorn, a place with no streets—just narrow canals, footpaths, and the occasional whisper of a boat’s motor.

They call it the Venice of the Netherlands, but that’s selling it short. Giethoorn is quieter, more open, and surrounded by nothing but water and green.

Here, locals move by boat and foot. Thatched-roof homes line the canals, connected by wooden bridges and garden paths. Everything moves slowly. And that’s the whole point.

What to Do in Giethoorn

Hop into a whisper boat—small, electric, and silent. Glide past reed-lined banks and under low bridges. With no traffic or noise, all you hear is the soft splash of water and the hum of birds in the trees.

You can also explore on foot. Every corner has a photo waiting to be taken: ducks paddling by, ivy-covered roofs, flowers in every window. Stop in small cafes along the way. Try poffertjes, Dutch mini pancakes dusted with sugar, or a bowl of fresh pea soup on a chilly day.

For those curious about the area’s history, small museums show how Giethoorn was built on peat and why it looks the way it does today.

Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn: Different Worlds, Same Soul

Both places are peaceful, but in very different ways. Zaanse Schans tells the story of work—mills turning, tools shaping, hands creating. It’s built on movement and craft.

Giethoorn is slower. It’s a place to float, watch, and breathe. No engines roar. No crowds rush. Just water, sky, and stillness.

Together, they show two sides of the Dutch countryside. One full of motion. One full of calm. But both share a deep love for nature, tradition, and beauty.

Make the Most of Your Holland Experience

Wear good walking shoes. Dress for the weather—it changes fast out here. Bring a camera with lots of space. You’ll use it.

Start early to beat the crowds, and take your time. Don’t try to rush. These places weren’t built for speed. They were made to be savored.

Taste the local snacks. Ask questions in the workshops. Wave to people from the boat. And most of all, look around.

This private tour of Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn is a rare chance to slow down and see Holland the way it was meant to be seen.