Windmill spotting in and around Amsterdam
Did you know there were once more than 10,000 fully operational windmills in the Netherlands? Windmills are a famous Amsterdam icon – a quaint symbol of Dutch tradition – and visiting one (or several!) makes for a lovely day out. Many of these heritage monuments are still standing, some with fascinating museums or quirky beer bars attached. So here are the best windmills to visit in Amsterdam and the surrounding region.
The one for beer and ice cream lovers
The Molen van Sloten is a reconstructed working polder mill from 1847. It is the only mill open to the public in Amsterdam. Inside, visitors can enjoy an audiovisual presentation about Rembrandt's life, called 'Rembrandt in the Attic' and a fascinating model called 'Amsterdam and the Water', showing the landscape as it was in 1630 before the land was drained. Next door, Brouwerij de 7 Deugden is a fantastic local brewery, and IJshoeve Sloten is a locally renowned ice cream parlour. Meanwhile, the charming village of Sloten is lovely to explore. Booklets detailing a walking tour of the neighbourhood can be purchased from the mill shop.
The one for die-hard windmill fanatics
Zaanse Schans is an unmissable open-air museum that’s fun for all ages. Open year-round, Zaans Schans is a free outdoor park with a collection of historic windmills. While the Zaanse Schans can be visited any time of year, most of the windmills are open to visitors from April to October. Besides windmills, you can visit souvenir shops, see clogs made, or visit a cheese farm near the Zaanse Schans. It's one of the top attractions to explore in Old Holland, and shouldn't be missed!
The one surrounded by tulips
The Keukenhof Mill is a tower mill on the grounds of the iconic Keukenhof Gardens (open from March to May) in Lisse in the Flower Strip region. The mill originates from Scharmer, where it was built in 1892 as a polder mill. In 1957, the mill was moved to the Keukenhof site as a gift from the Holland-America Line. At Keukenhof, the mill functions only as an ornamental object, but surrounded by kaleidoscopic tulip gardens, it is a truly stunning sight.
The one for thirsty people
The giant De Gooyer windmill, the biggest one in the country, is a distinctive feature of the landscape in Amsterdam Oost. This octagonal windmill dates from 1725 and once served as a flour mill. De Gooyer sits next to Brouwerij ‘t IJ - one of the city's most beloved beer terraces - and has become a trademark symbol of the brewery ever since. A tour of the facilities is available, topped off by a free beer of your choice.
The one with superb views from the top
In the heart of Haarlem, the Molen de Adriaan, originally built in 1778, is a windmill that sits along the river Spaarne on the foundations of the tower that once defended the city centre. When the windmill burned down in 1932, a central focal point of the city was lost. It took 70 years for local citizens to raise enough money to rebuild it. The view of old Haarlem from the platform above the river is not to be missed.
The one along the Amstel River
A short cycle down the Amsteldijk (just south of Amstelpark), you'll find the Riekermolen windmill, built in 1636 to drain the surrounding land. Nearby is a bronze statue of Rembrandt in honour of the many sketches he made here. De Riekermolen was once used to drain a large plot of land nearby, but it now stands as a testament to a bygone era. A little further downriver, don't miss Rembrandthoeve - a traditional farm dating back to the 15th century specialising in making clogs and Gouda cheese. Free tours (including cheese tastings) are available daily. Don't miss this Amstel River cycling route to make a full day of it.
The one for history buffs
Just north of the former village of Buiksloot in Amsterdam-Noord, Krijtmolen D’Admiraal stands next to the Noordhollandsch Canal. The octagonal smock windmill was built in 1792 and used as a chalk and trass mill. Chalk was used in paint and mixed with linseed oil to make putty. Trass is ground tuff (a volcanic stone), a material that is a component of mortar. D’Admiraal is the last remaining chalk mill in the Netherlands. It is possible to visit the mill on special public open days or contact the miller for an individual- or guided group tour.
The one in a nature reserve
The Twiskemolen is an octagonal inner courtyard mill originally built around 1541. The monumental mill, combined with an electric pumping station, still drains the approximately 650-hectare Twiskepolder. The mill has been in its current location since 1974 and is a stunning highlight on a cycle or walking tour of the surrounding Het Twiske nature area to the North of Amsterdam - easily accessible from the NDSM neighbourhood or on a wider cycle tour of the Old Holland region.
The one that's also a bakery
Molen De Vriendschap in the charming neighbourhood of Weesp is a traditional windmill where ecological grains are still ground into flour using good old-fashioned wind power. When the wind is strong enough, the mill operates a few days a week thanks to a passionate team of volunteers. While the interior is generally closed to the public, budding bakers and anyone who loves pastries, sourdough bread, and gingerbread are welcome to shop for their pick of delicious items in the mill shop every Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00.
The one that's a whole windmill museum
There are many ways to enjoy a day out windmill spotting. For example, numerous bus tours take visitors to the most exciting and picturesque specimens. But one of the loveliest ways is also the most Dutch one: hire a bike and start peddling! This cycling route through the Zaanstreek region, the historical windmill paradise, takes about three hours and passes a number of must-see mills (and even a windmill museum).
