Rebecca Manzi Zaanse Schans, near Amsterdam, faces overtourism. A $18.50 (€17.50) entry fee planned for 2026 divides locals between preservation and economic concerns.
@zaanseschans/Instagram
A few miles from Amsterdam lies Zaanse Schans, a village that looks as if it has been lifted straight from a postcard. Working windmills turn slowly against the sky, wooden houses that have stood for centuries line the paths, and the air carries the scent of chocolate and cheese. It is little wonder that more than three million visitors arrive each year, drawn to what feels like an open-air museum where time has stood still.
A post-war reconstruction project
The charm of Zaanse Schans, however, is not as ancient as it seems. In the 1950s, in the aftermath of World War II, an ambitious plan was launched to save the windmills and historic homes scattered across the region. They were carefully relocated and rebuilt in a protected area. The official opening came in 1972, when Queen Juliana inaugurated the site. From that moment, the village became a beloved symbol of Dutch tradition, frozen in a carefully curated past.
The weight of mass tourism
With popularity came problems. Authorities and residents now describe Zaanse Schans as “the national symbol of tourist overcrowding.” Narrow streets overflow daily with buses and large groups, making life complicated for those who still call the village home. The greater concern, officials warn, is that the heavy footfall could jeopardize the preservation of windmills and historic buildings.
The $18.50 ticket in 2026
To address this, the Zaanstad city council has approved a new entry fee of $18.50 (€17.50) starting in 2026. The goal is twofold: cut the annual number of tourists to around 1.8 million, and create a steady flow of funds to finance conservation efforts. It’s a bold step, one that touches on the delicate balance between accessibility and preservation.
A referendum from opponents
Residents will still have free access, but not everyone is convinced. Local entrepreneurs—among them millers and shopkeepers—fear that a ticketed entrance will drive away their regular customers and turn the village into “a paid theme park.” Alongside elderly residents who still live in the historic wooden homes, they have pushed for a citywide referendum to block the measure.
The debate has split the community. On one side are those who argue that limiting access is the only way to protect something so fragile and iconic. On the other, those who see it as a blow to the local economy and to the open, welcoming spirit that Zaanse Schans has long represented. Like many heritage sites around the world, the village is now caught between the forces of preservation and the pressures of global tourism.
Source: NH Nieuws
