//
North Holland, Netherlands
Photo: Malis, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Zaanstreek-Waterland (Dutch: Waterland en Zaanstreek) is a showcase of every stereotype one would expect from the Netherlands: dikes, windmills, flowers and wooden houses dot its flat rural lands. Some of these typical rural villages and attractions include Broek in Waterland, Edam, Marken, Monnickendam, Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
By car
The main enclosure for both regions is the A8/A7 motorway which starts at "Knooppunt Coenplein" near the Coentunnel (part of the A10/Ring Amsterdam).
By bicycle
The distances in the Zaan Region are good for cycling, the longest one-way stretch is approx 10 km. Distance Zaandam- Purmerend (Waterland region) is also around 10 km.
By car
If you're getting around by car, make sure to avoid rush hour.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Amsterdam · International · AMS
Loading places around the airport…
the Beemster Polder was dried in the early 17th century and has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements
picturesque village that has been a tourist destination since the 19th century
cute village with a cheese market in the summer
a 17th-century port village
generally a modern suburb of Amsterdam
a fishing village with traditional costumes
you have to see the typical Zaan houses
open air museum with Dutch windmills and Zaan houses
Articles and travel topics about Zaanstreek-Waterland and Netherlands.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
7 min read
Travel tipsUnderstand the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs each, and how to avoid long airport border queues.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
