When you think of the Netherlands you think of windmills. Of course, they are a beautiful part of Dutch culture, landscape and they are a must see when you visit the Netherlands. They still look like they did in the past but today Dutch use them in much more creative ways than they used to. Some windmills are today breweries, some are restaurants. So where to see windmills in Amsterdam and close to Amsterdam? There are 8 windmills in Amsterdam. These are the following:
- Krijtmolen d’Admiraal (D’Admiraal Clay Mill)
- Molen De Bloem (or De Blom)
- Molen De Gooyer
- Molen De Otter
- De Riekermolen (The Rieker Windmill)
- Molen van Sloten (Sloten Windmill)
- De 1100 Roe
- De 1200 Roe
In this article, you’ll learn about the best and the most beautiful windmills in the area of Amsterdam. If you are planning your tour or you live here for some time but you didn’t have yet an opportunity to see windmills you are in a great spot because in this article you’ll learn everything that you need to know when going for a windmill tour. Before we’ll start you must know that you can’t visit all of them. I mean that you can’t see them inside but only from outside. However, there are some that you can visit, and there are organized tours where you can learn about the history of the windmill or even you see how they really work.
Windmills in Amsterdam
1. Krijtmolen d’Admiraal (D’Admiraal Clay Mill)
Krijtmolen d’Admiraal windmill was constructed in 1792. It’s located in Amsterdam Noord next to Noordhollandschkanaal. It’s a beautiful part of this industrial Amsterdam area. You may be surprised but this windmill still works. They offer a tour where you can learn about it. It’s a great place to visit when you plan a cycling tour.
This windmill is run and maintained by volunteers so donations are well appreciated. Windmill Krijtmolen is the only one windmill in the world which still crush chalk. You can learn more about this place on their website – Link Here. Unfortunately, it’s only in Dutch but there is google translate, right?
How to Get There?
This windmill is located in Amsterdam Noord. It’s across the river but don’t worry because you can get there on a ferry. They leave from Amsterdam Centraal station and they are completely free. You have to go to the back side of Central station and there are ferries.
Where? Noordhollandschkanaaldijk 21, 1034 ZL Amsterdam
When? It’s open for the public every second Saturday of the month from 10:00 to 15:00 o’clock from April to October.
2. Molen De Bloem (or De Blom)
Windmill De Bloem was built in 1768. Unfortunately, it’s not open for public. You may ask why? It’s because there are people living in it 😉 If you want to see all 8 windmills of Amsterdam you should go there, but be aware that you won’t come inside. It’s close to the Westerpark in a lovely neighborhood so of course, it’s worth visiting. You can get there in 15 minutes cycling from Amsterdam Centraal station.
In fact, De Blom is sometimes opened on special occasions, so you may want to check their agenda and if you are lucky it will be opened. I believe that on a National Windmill Day it’ll open. It’s on the second weekend of May.
How to Get There?
The best way to get there is on a bike, 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal.
Where? Haarlemmerweg 465, 1055 PK Amsterdam
When? It’s open only on special occasions. Normally isn’t open for public.
3. Molen De Gooyer
Molen De Gooyer windmill is located close to the city center, next to ARTIS Zoo. Unfortunately most of the time you can only admire this windmill from outside. It’s rarely open for public and they open it only on certain occasions.
De Gooyer is the tallest wooden mill in the Netherlands and it is a National Monument. It is 26,6 meter high and it’s hard to imagine how high it is in reality. It’s a must see when you are in Amsterdam. It was built in the 16th century.
There is a brewery next to Molen De Gooyer. It’s called brouwerij ‘t ij and it is one of the most famous, if not the most famous brewery in Amsterdam. They serve a great beer, so if you like beer this is a place to be. As we are talking about this brewery I would like to tell you that little breweries are very popular in the Netherlands and you can find many little bars crafting their own beer. Dutch know how to make a good beer.
How to Get There?
It’s located very close to the city center so you can just walk or cycle there.
Where? Funenkade 5, 1018 AL Amsterdam
When?Daily between 2 pm – 8 pm
4. Molen De Otter
So here we have the next windmill in Amsterdam. Molen De Otter is a sawmill, so basically, its function is cutting wood. It was built in 1631 and it is the last sawmill in Amsterdam. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it was still in use. Later on, because of the expansion of the city and surrounding buildings windmill had difficulty catching the wind and it was not that efficient anymore. It’s located in the city center, close to the Jordan district.
It is not open for the public, but if you are willing to see all 8 Amsterdam windmills there are some benches along the canal and it is definitely worth seeing. Get a cup of coffee and chill a little bit in this beautiful neighborhood.
How to Get There?
The best way to get there from central station or from Dam is by walk.
Where? Gillis van Ledenberchstraat 78, 1052 VK Amsterdam
When? It isn’t open for the public
5. De Riekermolen (The Rieker Windmill)
This situated next to Amstel river windmill is from the 17th century. It used to drain nearby fields since 1636. It’s located in the Amstel park and it’s a perfect place if you need to rest. It’s very peaceful and perfect for some photography session.
Next, to the windmill, there is a Rembrandt statue. It’s situated there because of the many sketches he created in this area. You can admire these drawings in the Rembrandt museum.
How to Get There?
The best way to get there is by bike.
Where? De Borcht 10, 1083 AC Amsterdam
When? Interior isn’t open for the public. It spins on weekends from 12:00 till 17:00, from May to September.
6. Molen van Sloten (Sloten Windmill)
You can join a windmill tour organized by enthusiastic and well-educated volunteers. Molen van Sloten is a museum and you can see how they operate this place. You can also learn about the history of Sloten windmill. A tour cost 8 euros per person and you can climb all the way to the top. It’s a very interesting tour. Unfortunately, most of the windmills aren’t open for public but this one is and it would be a pity not to take advantage of the opportunity. During this tour, you will learn how important windmills were in the past.
Molen van Sloten is located on the edge of the city and this area is very peaceful and relaxing.
How to Get There?
The easiest and the fastest way to get there is by bike. You get there in half hour and with public transport it takes 45 minutes.
Where? Akersluis 10, 1066 EZ Amsterdam
When? It’s open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 o’clock. The last tour is at 16:30. (On some days it’s closed: 1 January, 27 April, 25 and 26 December)
7. De 1100 Roe
De 1100 Roe was constructed in 1674. Its name come from the distance between the windmill and Haarlemmerpoort, which is almost four kilometers, but back then it was counted in rods. De 1100 Roe was renewed in 1757. The mill lost its function in 1951 when a large part of the polder disappeared under the sand of the Westelijke Tuinsteden. Then the mill was dismantled and it was rebuilt in 1965 at the Sportpark Ookmeer. Now it has a function of the drainage of the sports park. The mill is now also known as De Ookmeermolen. This construction is 25,9 meters high. All of the windmills in Amsterdam are about 26 meters high.
How to Get There?
The easiest and the fastest way to get there is by bike. Cycling to De 1100 Roe takes 30 minutes. You can get there by car in 30 minutes. Public transport takes a little bit longer, 45 minutes. This is the time of transport from Dam square.
Where? Herman Bonpad 6, 1067 SN Amsterdam
When? It’s open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 o’clock. The last tour is at 16:30. (On some days it’s closed: 1 January, 27 April, 25 and 26 December)
8. De 1200 Roe
If you want to see all 8 windmills of Amsterdam then this is the next place on your map. It’s easy to get there by bike and by public transport. Actually, if I were you I would rent a bike a ride around Amsterdam to see all of the windmills. Roe 1200 is very well maintained and it is still in use, but it doesn’t have any specific function.
De 1200 Roe was built in 1632 and it was used to drain the nearby Osdorper Binnenpolder. It was functioning till 1951 and then it was completely restored in 1977 -1979.
The 1200 Roe is inhabited and cannot be visited, but it makes me smile every time I drive my car from Haarlem to Amsterdam.
How to Get There?
De 1200 Roe is located next to the main road from Haarlem to Amsterdam. The easiest and the fastest way to get there is by bike. Cycling to De 1200 Roe takes 25 minutes. You can get there by car in 20 minutes. Public transport takes a little bit longer, 45 minutes. This is the time of transport from Dam square.
Where? Willem Molengraaffstraat 8M, 1063 LG Amsterdam
When? It’s open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 o’clock. The last tour is at 16:30. (On some days it’s closed: 1 January, 27 April, 25 and 26 December)
Windmills Close to Amsterdam
Windmill Haarlem
One of the most beautiful windmills in the Netherlands is a windmill Adriaan in Haarlem. It was burnt in 1932 and totally rebuilt in 2002. On the evening of April 1932 a windmill totally burnt out and despite the quick reaction of a fire brigade, they couldn’t save this monumental construction. Because of lack of funds windmill hasn’t been rebuilt for 70 years, but fortunately, now it’s in great condition.
In Adriaan windmill, there is a museum and well-educated and enthusiastic volunteers are tour guides. The tour is really worth it. I can recommend this 100%. This mill operates and it is capable of grinding grain, but it’s not used for this purpose. It’s mostly a tourist attraction.
Visit their website to learn more about this gorgeous spot – Link Here
How to Get There?
Windmill Adriaan is very close to the central station so you can get there on foot. Don’t bother yourself with public transport. You can also get there by bike and I can recommend this to you. There is a rental company just next to the train station.
Where? Papentorenvest 1A, 2011 AV Haarlem
When? Monday – Friday 1pm – 5pm, weekend 10:30am – 5pm
Twiskemolen
This windmill has a very important function. It regulates water on both sides of the dike. It used to get energy only from the wind but nowadays it’s also electric. Twiskemolen is essential when it comes to regulating the height of water.
Twiskemolen is a part of huge park Twiske, with trails, wildlife, boating, and camping. It’s an amazing place if you are into nature. This is a spot where you can fully rest after spending some time in the city.
One year ago the windmill was heavily damaged during the storm but not it’s renovated and back in use.
How to Get There?
If I were you I get there by bike. It’s only 30 minutes from the Dam square. You have to get to the Centraal Station, catch a free ferry to Amsterdam Noord and cycle for the next 20 minutes and this is it. With public transport, it takes 45 minutes to get there and by car in only 20 minutes.
Where? Het Luijendijkje 3, 1121 LM Landsmeer
When? It’s not open for public. You can admire it from outside, it’s a part of a big park and there are other things to see.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is an astonishing neighborhood of Zaandam with historic windmills and traditional houses. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions. This one of a kind spot is full of handicraft shops and museums.
You can see there how clogs are made. Don’t forget to visit a cheese factory and pewter foundry. It’s a perfect place to get some traditional Dutch souvenirs. When you get hungry I can recommend you visiting a pancake house. Trust me 😉
If you come with a bigger group of people or you would like to enjoy more museums, you should consider buying a Zaanse Schans Card. It’s available on their website. Link
How to Get There?
Zaanse Schans is only 18 minutes from a central station but it’s best to discover their website. It has a very informative website and they describe all kind of ways how to get there -> Link Here
Where? Schansend 7 in Zaandam
When? Check their website for opening hours and some more information — Link Here
Dutch National Windmill Day
The second weekend of May there is organized a National Windmill Day. During these days 950 windmills are open to the public and almost all of them are turning. There are mill related parties, competitions, children’s games organized all over the country. It’s a day when tradition and Dutch spirit is cultivated. Windmills today don’t really have much of economic value. They are just memory of the past and an icon of the Netherlands. If you visit Amsterdam this May weekend I can recommend you a whole day bike tour. You can see all 8 windmills in Amsterdam, Windmill Adriaan in Haarlem and Zaanse Schans is definitely a place to be on this date.
Dutch Mill Society
In the last century, many windmills disappeared from the map of the Netherlands. Because of that since 1923, there is an organization called Dutch Mill Society devoted to keeping windmills in a good condition. They renovate and focus on the preservation of the mills. There are 1200 mills in the Netherlands, 1050 windmills and 150 watermills so The Mill Society has a lot to do!
The Oldest Windmill in the Netherlands
This windmill was built in 1441 and it’s preserved in a great condition until today. Its function was grinding wheat.
How to Get There?
This windmill is located close to the German border and yo need 1,5 hours to get there by car
Where? Bovendorpsstraat 14, 7038 EC Zeddam, Netherlands
When? This windmill is open to the public every Saturday and from May to October also on Sundays
Wrap Up
The Netherlands is a country of windmills, clogs and cheese. You can find windmills even in the city centers. They are now renovated and they bring a great vibe into this little country. When visiting Netherlands you should definitely go for a windmill your. I can also recommend you a canal cruise. It’s also an amazing experience. Canals of Amsterdam are lovely and you can go around the city admiring old narrow houses.
