Volendam & Zaanse Schans

Happy first day of spring! This means more sun, (slowly) increasing temperatures and all the more reason to travel.

I've chosen to pair Volendam & Zaanse Schans together as they're both fairly small and you can easily do both in one day. They have some similarities but of course have their own unique charms and quirks.

Volendam:

Volendam is a Dutch village on the Markermeer Lake, about a 30 minute drive northeast of Amsterdam. You will probably start off by taking a stroll down De Dijk, the main harbour strip, with fishing boats on one side and colourful wooden houses on the other. As Volendam is a fishing village you will find an amplitude of cosy seafood restaurants serving fresh native catches. Why not visit one of the most unconventional museums in the Netherlands whilst in Volendam, or take a picture wearing traditional 19th century costumes.

Zaanse Schans:

Only a 20 minute drive from the hustle and bustle that is Amsterdam and it feels like you're in the depths of the countryside. Surrounded by cows, sheep & chickens, not to mention the endless windmills. It promises for a beautiful day out.