Historic windmills and open-air museum at Zaanse Schans

On the banks of the Zaan river near Zaandam, green timber houses and working windmills form an open-air museum. The creak of sails, canal-side gardens and wooden bridges give the classic image of the Dutch countryside. Some workshops explain old crafts, and covering the area is a short walk.

Wind cools quickly in the open, so dress in layers and bring a light rain jacket. Paths are flat, so ordinary comfortable shoes will do. Morning and afternoon light is softer for photographs.