The Zaanse Schans is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. — BERND F. MEIER/dpa
A trip to see the famous Dutch windmills at Zaanse Schans in Amsterdam, the Netherlands are set to cost an entry fee as of 2026.
Tourists are to be charged €17.50 (RM86) to visit the site, the city council in Zaandam says, amid concerns about the impact of overtourism.
The Zaanse Schans windmills in the north of Amsterdam are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. You can see them at an open-access heritage area that is lined with green wooden houses and handicraft shops, all bringing visitors closer to what life was like in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tourists can step into museums, a cheese factory or a bakery where fresh cookies are made. Many cycle, take boat rides or just stroll around and try the Dutch pancakes that are made on site.
Some 2.6 million people visited the residential area with its charming windmills and homes in 2024.
It’s located in the municipality of Zaanstad. The historic wooden buildings and working windmills were rebuilt there in 1963 and museums have been added since.
It is worth remembering though that despite the fact that visitors from all over the world visit this neighbourhood every day, people still live there.
And as it grows ever more popular, many are concerned about visitors’ impact on the site.
The area is running short of funds to preserve its cultural heritage, say local officials.
While the municipal council still has to approve the proposal to charge fees, without support, this heritage will be lost in five to seven years, says councillor Wessel Breunesse. – dpa
