Private Tour to the Amsterdam Countryside
During this Private Tour to the Amsterdam Countryside, we will visit Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken, three unique Dutch villages in the Amsterdam hinterland, each with its own unique story.
What To Expect From Our Private Amsterdam Countryside Tour
The Famous Dutch Windmill Village
Zaanse Schans is an outdoor open-air museum, which also has real houses that belong to locals, built in the 1960s and 1970s by Jaap Schippe. The idea of this architect was to design an area in order to preserve the history of the Zaan region. This made it possible for visitors to relive the 18th and 19th centuries and have a taste of what life used to be back then. So, the architect started a relocation project for historically important houses, workshops, and windmills, and this is how the park was built.
We Will Explore This Open Air Museum and its Thematic Workshops
We will walk through this open-air riverside museum, with fields full of cows and goats, and past houses and gardens – so that we can observe and take many pictures of this typically Dutch landscape. We will also visit themed workshops and take part in demonstrations of how traditional Dutch cheese and wooden shoes are made. Of course, we will not leave before trying all the different types and flavors of cheese.
On our Private Tour to the Amsterdam Countryside we will..
Get to Know the Famous Fishing Village
Volendam is famously known famously known as a fishing village. And in fact, until today, it proudly maintains the fame of being a village. That is because, for many centuries, this region was isolated from the rest of the country, preserving its roots, traditions and habits like no other place in Holland.
Did you know, for example, that the Volendammers, as the locals are called, are the only Catholic population living in the northern province of Holland, which is predominantly Protestant?
We will Pass by Several Fish Shops ... Typical of the Region
During our tour, we will walk by the famous dam and we will see the famous haring (pickled fish) and kibbeling (fried fish) stands. Also we will visit shops with traditional costumes from this region.
Located along the banks of the River Ij, Volendam’s constitution has to do with a dam that was finished in 1357 and enabled the closing of the waters of the Zuiderzee (southern sea) to the continent. The village was born in this period!
A charming village ...
As last but not least, Marken, a charming village, with less than 2,000 inhabitants, is worth the visit due to its beauty and authenticity.
Marken is famous for its elevated fishermen houses which were designed to protect its inhabitants against floods.
It was initially inhabited by monks in the 13th century, which established themselves in the region and founded many farms in the area. However, with the constant floods, they gave up farming and chose fishing, as a way to earn money.
You Will Discover What United Marken with the Rest of Holland
Up to 1952, Marken was an island, completely disconnected from the rest of the country! Only after the construction of the dam was it possible to access the village by land.
We will pass by the small village port and we will enter the Church and the small city center.
Are you excited about this Private Tour to the Amsterdam Countryside?
Tour Duration and Starting Time
- Duration: 7 hours
- It is possible to start the tour between 09:00 and 13:00.
Recommended start time: 09:00.
Price
- 1-4 people = 775€
- 5-8 people = 975€
- For groups of more than 8 people, please request a quote using the form below.
The Tour Includes
- Private tour guide
- Private transportation with hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Cheese making demonstration and tasting
- Wooden shoes making demonstration
The Tour Doesn't Include
- Gratuity (optional)
Book your Private Tour to the Amsterdam Countryside here!
- If you would like to book more than 1 tour or receive our suggestions, click here.