If you are traveling to Amsterdam, a great day trip is to Zaanse Schans. The town is a quick 32 minute train ride from Amsterdam. It has a charming village and dozens of windmills. Some have said it is one of the most iconic and picturesque tourist destinations in the Netherlands. We loved the windmills, the traditional village and the cheese and chocolate shops.
It turns out that Zaanse Schans will be implementing a new tourist tax for day-trippers visiting this charming village. This tourist tax will go into effect in 2026. The town claims that this tax is necessary due to the ever-increasing visitor numbers and the associated costs of maintaining such a popular heritage site. While Zaanse Schans offers free entry to its outdoor areas, the upkeep of its infrastructure, public spaces, and the preservation of its historical buildings and working windmills require significant financial resources.
Manage Tourism Impact: Contribute to better management of visitor flows and environmental impact.
Fund Maintenance and Preservation: Provide additional funding for the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the site’s unique cultural heritage.
Enhance Visitor Experience: Invest in facilities and services that improve the overall experience for both tourists and local residents.
Feeling overwhelmed by the more than 2.6 million annual visitors, the beloved heritage site will now require a €17.50 ticket for each day visitor starting in 2026. Visitors who stay in the Zaanstad overnight will be exempt from this new tax.
Zaanse Schans is not alone in implementing such a measure. Tourist taxes for day visitors are becoming an increasingly common tool for popular destinations grappling with the effects of overtourism and the need to fund local services. Cities like Venice and various islands in Europe have also introduced similar fees to help manage crowds and generate revenue for local upkeep.