Day trip from Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans & Delft

I think you'll enjoy the day trip, but if you can possibly manage another day in the city - do it. There's lots to do and see, and also, it's a great place just to walk around. Evenings in Dam Square - lots of free concerts and happenings. Don't miss the flower market and the surrounding shopping area. Rent a bike and ride like the natives.

What time of the year will you be in Amsterdam? If it's in early to late April, you ought to include a visit to Keukenhof in your plans. This could take half a day, easily done via public transportation from Amsterdam.

Zaanse Schans is terrific. Plan on half a day. But I would then visit the nearby Ijselmeer area rather than Delft, which is a nice enough place, but Monnickendam, Volendam, and Marken are all very unique places. Tours often include these towns together. You can also bike between them if you're energetic. I did a number of decades ago. The tour below (see pics & reviews) involves half a day. But I think a full day is about right for a visit by car. www.viator.com/tours/Amsterdam/Zaanse-Schans-Windmills-Marken-and-Volendam-Half-Day-Trip-from-Amsterdam/d525-2550LIN2A

I went to Haarlem and enjoyed seeing the small courtyards. It's a walking tour that you can get at the TI. It's a half by train from the city. Haarlem was very walkable. Pam

The Zaanse Schans, Marken, Windmills etc tour is worth doing; good to get an insight into older times. Delft is a pleasant little town, with canals. We took a train from Amsterdam, and then walked to the Delft factory (dont remember the name) which is an interesting experience. Your time is tight. may want to do Delft as a half day (morning )trip that'll give you one full day and two afternoons in Asterdam. Should be OK.

Loved your suggestions so much! Marken and Volendam seem so beautiful, I'm definitely going there! Delft will still be among my options, depending on whether I want to keep exploring Amsterdam or not. I also liked the idea of making two half-day trips, leaving afternoons to Amsterdam, instead of making a whole-day trip. I'm still considering adding another night in Amsterdam... Thank you so much for your ideas!

Take the train to Belgium.

I also would recommend spending time in Marken and Monninckendam. Not many tourists in either and they are very walkable (although not from Monninckendam to Marken, you need to either have a car or take local transportation). Both are small fishing villages with local color and friendly people. There is a terrific little museum in Marken that details life in Marken, especially before 1957 when the causeway was built linking it to the mainland.

You could even consider biking towards Zaanse Schans! Anyway, it's extremely easy cycling north of Amsterdam: These are 6 bicycle trips in Waterland between 30 and 40 km and entirely signposted. You can combine them the way you want, according to your aims and possibilities and the weather forecasts ;-) You can also go by train to Zaanstad and rent a bicycle over there if you prefer a short trip to the windmills of Zaanse Schans. That's tour nr. 6. 1. http://www.recreatienoord-holland.nl/waterland/informatie/Waterlandoost-fiets.pdf = Amsterdam - Broek in Waterland - Zuiderwoude - Uitdam -Markermeer - Holysloot - Ransdorp - Durgerdam - Amsterdam 2. http://www.recreatienoord-holland.nl/waterland/informatie/TussenTwiskeenGouwzee-fiets.pdf = Amsterdam - Landsmeer - Natural Reserve 'Het Twiske' - Ilp - Ilpendam - Overleeck - Monnickendam - Zuiderwoude - Broek in Waterland - Het Schouw - Amsterdam 3. http://www.recreatienoord-holland.nl/waterland/informatie/Purmer-fiets.pdf = Purmerend - Edam - Volendam - Gouwzee (by ferry) - the isle of Marken - Markermeer - Monnickendam - Ilpendam - Purmerend 4. http://www.recreatienoord-holland.nl/waterland/informatie/de%20Beemster-fiets.pdf = Purmerend - Spijkerboor - De Rijp - Graft - Grootschermer - Schermerhorn - Avenhorn - Oudendijk - Middenbeemster - Purmerend. Along the road you will meet at least 10 WINDMILLS! 5. http://www.recreatienoord-holland.nl/waterland/informatie/Zeevang-fiets.pdf = Purmerend - Kwadijk - Hobrede - Oosthuizen - Beets - Schardam - Etersheim - Warder - Edam - Middelie - Purmerend 6. http://www.recreatienoord-holland.nl/waterland/informatie/wormerland-fiets.pdf = Zaandijk - Zaanse Schans with it's famous windmills - Wormerveer - Wormer - Jisp - Neck - Purmerend - Purmerland - Ilpendam - De Haal = 12 WINDMILLS.

I have spent a couple of days in Amsterdam and loved it. I wish I could have stayed longer, but every year, since 2005 I have always gone to Europe(except 2008) and stopped in Amsterdam. I took a canal boat tour last year, went by train to Harlem, and another city where they make cheese, Alkmaar (it is a really nice town). The rest of the time, went down the Damrock and just walked around Amsterdam. The people are friendly and there is always activity. Love it.