Windmills in the Netherlands & National Windmill Day: Where to Visit, What to See, and How to Experience Them
Discover the best windmills in the Netherlands, including where to visit near Amsterdam and how to experience National Windmill Day (Molendag). A practical guide with local insight, hidden gems, and authentic windmill experiences.
Updated May 11, 2026 after an amazing National Windmill Day!
A practical guide to exploring Dutch windmills—plus where to go, when to visit, and why it’s worth getting out and experiencing them for yourself.
As a fine art landscape photographer and fine art printmaker based in the Netherlands for the past seven years, I’ve spent countless mornings photographing historic Dutch windmills across changing light, seasons, and weather conditions. Many of the images throughout this guide are available as museum-quality fine art prints for homes, offices, healthcare spaces, and interior interiors — personally printed and crafted in my Netherlands studio. But first, here are the best places to experience National Windmill Day in the Netherlands.
And when they come together—windmills rising above the water, lines of tulips in bloom, canals reflecting the sky—it’s something that never really gets old.
There’s one windmill in particular that’s become part of my routine— The Riekermolen in Amsterdam. It sits along one of my regular 10K step walks from home, and no matter the season or the light (it's always about the light!), it never really looks the same twice. Some mornings it’s completely still, reflected in calm water. Other days, the skies light up against fast-moving clouds. It’s simple, but it never ceases to amaze me.
The windmills of the Netherlands are some of the most recognizable landmarks in Europe—but they’re far more than scenic icons.
Built to manage water, power industry, and support daily life, these structures helped shape the country itself. Today, they remain part of the landscape—working, preserved, and still deeply connected to Dutch culture.
For visitors, windmills offer something unique: not just something to see, but something to experience.
Why There Are So Many Windmills in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is home to approximately 1,200 historic windmills, each built with a specific purpose.
Historically, they were used for:
- Pumping water from low-lying land (we have a LOT of water here!)
- Grinding grain, flour and paint
- Industrial processes like sawing timber (there aren't many of these around these days)
This practical role is what makes them so significant. Without windmills, large parts of the Netherlands wouldn’t exist as they do today!
What Is National Windmill Day (Nationale Molendag)?
One of the best ways to experience windmills is during National Windmill Day, held each year in mid-May. In 2026, National Windmill Day is May 9 and May 10.
Organized by De Hollandsche Molen, this event brings windmills across the country to life.
Each year:
- More than 900 windmills participate
- Over 100,000 visitors explore mills across the country
During the weekend:
- Many windmills open to the public
- Others remain closed but fully operational, with sails turning
- Volunteer millers explain how the systems work
👉 Even without going inside, this is one of the rare times when so many windmills are active at once.
National Windmill Day 2026:
During National Windmill Day 2026, my wife and I spent time exploring several of the Schermerhorn windmills beneath beautiful blue skies in North Holland. One of the highlights was visiting with Peter, a miller who has lived inside one of the windmills for more than 50 years. He was actually the first person who introduced me to National Windmill Day years ago while I was photographing tulip fields nearby.
It was wonderful returning to see him again, introducing him to my wife, and hearing stories about the history of the mills and the many changes he has witnessed over the decades. Experiences like this are what make the Dutch windmills feel truly alive — not just as historic structures, but as part of a living cultural landscape still deeply connected to the people who care for them today.
When to Go (Plan This Carefully)
- Saturday, May 9, 2026 → Best day to visit - more mills open
- Sunday, May 10, 2026 → Fewer mills open
If access matters, prioritize Saturday—more windmills are open and active.
To see which ones are open and giving tours, check out the De Hollandsche Molen website.
From a visitor perspective:
- Morning: quieter conditions and fewer crowds
- Evening: more atmosphere and movement across the landscape
See my notes below for which one is my favorite for National Windmill Day!
Will you see tulips during National Windmill Day this year?
No—unfortunately not.
Tulips were only near a small number of windmills this season, and by the time National Windmill Day arrives, most fields have already been cut.
👉 While the classic tulips-and-windmills scene is possible some years, it’s the exception—not the rule.
What you will find instead are open landscapes, fresh green fields, and fully active windmills—which, in many ways, is an even more authentic Dutch experience.
Bring the Dutch Landscape Into Your Home
From historic windmills to colorful tulip fields and quiet Dutch waterways, these images are available as museum-quality fine art prints for homes, offices, and interior spaces.
Why Skip Zaanse Schans? (Or Time It Right)
It’s iconic—but it’s also the busiest windmill location in the country.
Zaanse Schans is one of the most famous windmill locations in the Netherlands—and for good reason. But it comes with tradeoffs:
- Extremely crowded, especially mid-day
- Feels more like an open-air museum than a working landscape
- Limited space for quiet moments or unique perspectives
👉 If you do go to Zaanse Schans, go early or go late.
Sunrise and evening offer softer light, fewer crowds, and a much more enjoyable experience.
Visiting Windmills in Amsterdam (Skip Zaanse Schans)
If you want a more authentic experience near Amsterdam, there are better options than Zaanse Schans—especially if you prefer space, character, and fewer crowds.
De Adriaan – Haarlem (Must Visit)
Just a short trip from Amsterdam, De Adriaan in Haarlem is one of the most striking windmills in the Netherlands.
- Located right along the river in the historic city center
- Fully restored and open for guided tours
- Offers incredible views over Haarlem from the top
- Combines architecture, history, and a true working mill experience
👉 It’s one of the best places to actually understand a windmill, not just photograph one.
Windmills You Can See Up Close near Amsterdam
- Molen Van Sloten (1990) – full interior tours, highly educational. This is one of the best places in the Netherlands to actually understand how a windmill works. Regular guided tours are available, and there’s even a local brewery (Brouwerij De 7 Deugden) and cheese farm (Kaasboerderij Sloten) nearby.
- Clear explanations of the mechanics
- Interior access
- A connected cooperage museum
- De Riekermolen – A quieter, local setting along the Amstel—less crowded, more personal. This is my regular visited windmill, but no tours are available and the sails are rarely turning on this one.
- De Gooyer – iconic windmill next to Brouwerij ’t IJ (and some of my favorite beer! Try the Natte or Zatte)
👉 If your goal is to experience windmills—not just check a box—these locations offer far more depth.
Where to Go for a More Authentic Windmill Experience
Aarlanderveen Molen
This is one of my favorite locations to visit during National Windmill Day!
- Four windmills in close proximity
- Nice friendly folks giving tours and information in Dutch and English
- Historic polder system where they talk through how they pumped water out of the polders
Turning sails at Aarlanderveen during National Windmill Day — one of the rare weekends when Dutch windmills across the country come fully to life.
The coolest part – tractor rides between the windmills!! We hopped on a tractor and zoomed over the next 3 windmills! What a blast – I highly recommend this.
More details for why I recommend Aarlanderveen Molen:
- Multiple operating mills
- A quieter, more relaxed atmosphere
Inside the Aarlanderveen windmill, this massive Archimedes’ screw quietly lifts water from one level to another—an elegant, centuries-old system that still powers the Dutch landscape today. Seeing it in motion is a reminder that these windmills aren’t just beautiful… they’re still working.
Schermerhorn near Alkmaar for Windmills
This is where the experience becomes personal.
It was here that I met Pieter and his dog—an unexpected moment that turned into a conversation about windmills, history, and daily life around them. It’s a reminder that these aren’t just structures—they’re part of a living system.
Bolwerksmolen, Deventer
A sawmill windmill in the eastern part of the Netherlands. Check the hours it is open as it is normally only open a few days of the week. Really nice to see on the inside of this rare type of windmill.
Other Notable Windmills
- Bolwerksmolen – a traditional sawmill with strong industrial character
- Woudsend and Sloten – smaller towns with quieter landscapes
- Molen De Kaai – a subtle, character-filled windmill integrated into daily life
Kinderdijk Windmill near Rotterdam
While North Holland offers incredible windmill and tulip combinations, many visitors also recognize the famous windmills of Kinderdijk windmills (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)—one of the most iconic and photographed windmill landscapes in the Netherlands. Located near Rotterdam, Kinderdijk showcases a historic network of windmills designed for water management and is often considered the country’s most classic windmill scene. If you’re planning a broader windmill itinerary, it’s worth pairing lesser-known locations like these tulip fields with a visit to Kinderdijk for a deeper look into Dutch engineering and heritage.
Can You Go Inside Windmills?
Yes—many windmills open during National Windmill Day.
Depending on the location, you may:
- Walk inside
- Climb internal levels
- See wooden gears and mechanics in motion
👉 Not all windmills are open, but even closed mills with turning sails are worth visiting.
Types of Windmills in the Netherlands
Windmills vary widely in purpose and design.
By Function
- Polder mills (water management)
- Grain mills (flour production)
- Industrial mills (sawmills, oil mills)
By Structure
- Smock mills
- Tower mills
- Ground-sailer mills
- Post mills
Each type reflects a different role in shaping the Dutch landscape.
Tulips and Windmills 🌷
Tulips and windmills belong together—but timing doesn’t always cooperate. I’m always chasing that perfect overlap, and when it happens, it’s magic.
- Tulip season: mid-April to early May
- National Windmill Day: mid-May
Most years, they just miss each other. But what you get instead—late blooms, fresh green fields, and wide-open space—can be just as powerful.
👉 And when the light shows up… you don’t miss the tulips at all.
Planning Your Route fro National Windmill Day and learning about the windmills
If you’re visiting multiple windmills, the best planning resource is Molens.nl
This allows you to:
- Find nearby windmills
- Check which are open
- Plan your route efficiently
Windmill Photography as Fine Art for Your Space
A Dutch tulip field at sunset — bringing warmth, color, and a sense of calm into a modern interior.
The Dutch landscapes shaped by historic windmills, canals, and tulip fields translate naturally into fine art photography for homes, offices, healthcare spaces, and hospitality interiors. The balance of water, sky, architecture, and open space creates artwork that feels both peaceful and timeless.
These museum-quality fine art prints are especially popular in:
- Modern living spaces seeking warmth and openness
- Offices and conference spaces looking for a calmer atmosphere
- Healthcare and wellness interiors inspired by nature
- Hospitality environments celebrating European landscape design
As both the photographer and fine art printmaker, I personally produce each artwork in my Netherlands studio using professional Nikon camera systems, carefully capturing the natural light, atmosphere, and seasonal character that make the Dutch countryside so distinctive.
Browse Netherlands Fine Art Prints →
Bring the Netherlands Into Your Space
Discover museum-quality fine art prints of Dutch windmills, tulip fields, and canals — captured in moments of light, calm, and changing seasons across the Netherlands.
Final Thoughts
Windmills in the Netherlands are easy to find—but the most meaningful experiences come from where you go and how you approach them.
Skip the obvious when you can. Explore places that feel connected to daily life. Take time to step inside, ask questions, and observe how these structures still function today. I only have about 1100 windmills still to visit!
That’s where the experience shifts—and where the strongest impressions are made.
Get out and enjoy a windmill!
