When planning your trip to Amsterdam you undoubtedly want to visit some of the traditional windmills that still exist and are in working order for a true dutch experience.

Windmills are a true touch of Dutch history and true part of the landscape as you see them across the country.

The centre of Amsterdam used to have many working windmills, however over the years the numbers have decreased and there are only a few remaining. Many of the windmills were not destroyed, but simply moved to outer suburbs of the city to act as tourist attractions and museums.

Amsterdam windmills

De Gooyer – Brouwerij’t IJ

Probably the most unique windmill in Amsterdam has been turned into a local bar. You can step inside the mill and also marvel at the structure from outside in the beer garden.

Local craft beers are served and beer tasting platters are also on offer and very popular with visitors.

The windmill itself is called De Gooyer and was used as corn mill when the mill was in full working order. Built in 1725 the mill is very traditional and makes for good beer side viewing.

De Zaanse Schans

Located just outside of the city of Amsterdam is De Zaanse Schans and easily reached by either train or car within 30 minutes.

De Zaanse Schans is a museum based on the history and working life of windmills and is home to 8 windmills. Most of the windmills in De Zaanse Schans have been relocated from the city centre of Amsterdam and given a permeant home here at the museum. The open air museum gives you a glimpse into the purpose of the windmills and there role during there working life.

The mills located here were for various purposes such as oil mills and mustard mills.

Go inside the mills and take in the views from the top at the viewing platforms to see the outer suburbs of Amsterdam.

Molen Van Stolen

Molen Van Stolen is one of the only windmills in Amsterdam still open for visitors. Visitors can come at select times throughout the day to watch the fully operational windmill pump excess water from the nearby lake.

Located in a quiet residential village you can reach the mill in about 20 minutes from the centre of the city.

Tickets can be purchased to step inside and also into the attached information centre.

Keukenhoff

A pop up for the spring flower festival is Keukenhoff allowing you step inside the gates to see the spring flock of flowers which have been cared for since bulbs.

Inside the flower festival Keukenhoff windmill can found offering a glimpse from above of all the surrounding flower fields.