Want to see the windmills of the Zaanse Schans, the harbour of Volendam and the cheese town of Edam in one day — without joining a rushed group tour? The hop on hop off bus Amsterdam countryside route connects Amsterdam with the most iconic villages of the Dutch countryside. Buses depart every 30 minutes, and you decide how long you stay at each stop. From 4 July 2026 the full summer route is in operation, making this the easiest and most flexible way to experience old Holland in a single day.
The route and stops
The bus runs in a loop from Amsterdam along four stops in the Waterland and Zaan region. You can hop off at every stop, stay as long as you like, and continue with one of the next buses.
Stop 1: Volendam
The most famous fishing village of the Netherlands, with its lively dike, wooden houses and smoked fish stalls. Your ticket includes a visit to the historic Botterwerf shipyard with a cup of real Volendam coffee and a short film about the village’s maritime history. Plan around two hours here — enough for the harbour, a portion of smoked eel and a stroll through the narrow streets behind the dike. See our full Volendam guide for everything there is to do.
Stop 2: Henri Willig Cheese Farm & Clog Factory (Alida Hoeve)
A working cheese farm just outside Volendam where you can watch traditional cheese making, taste award-winning farm cheeses and see how wooden clogs are carved by hand. Ticket holders get 10% discount in the Henri Willig cheese shops — handy if you want to take a wheel of Dutch cheese home.
Stop 3: Edam
World-famous for its cheese, yet wonderfully quiet compared to Volendam. Wander along peaceful canals, historic bridges and the old cheese weigh house. In summer, time your visit with the traditional Edam cheese market on Wednesday mornings in July and August.
Stop 4: Zaanse Schans
The grand finale: working windmills, green wooden houses and craft workshops on the banks of the river Zaan. Visit a windmill in action, the clog-making demonstrations and the cheese farm. Two hours is the minimum here — see our Zaanse Schans guide for a complete overview.
Tickets and prices
A day ticket costs from €20 per person (online offers from €17) and includes unlimited hop on hop off travel on the whole route, the Botterwerf visit with Volendam coffee, the cheese farm and clog factory visit, a digital travel app with interactive maps, plus discount vouchers for restaurants and cheese shops along the route. Children travel at reduced rates.
Book in advance: check availability and book your hop on hop off ticket here. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.
Practical information
- Departure point: THIS IS HOLLAND, Overhoeksplein 51, Amsterdam — directly across the IJ from Amsterdam Central Station. Take the free ferry towards Buiksloterweg (3 minutes) and walk 3 minutes.
- Frequency: buses depart every 30 minutes between all stops.
- Duration: plan a full day (around 8 hours) to enjoy all four stops without hurrying.
- Direction: the bus drives the loop in one direction — start early if you want generous time at every stop.
- App: the included travel app shows live bus times, walking routes and local tips per stop.
- Accessibility: the tour is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility.
Suggested one-day itinerary
Take an early bus from Amsterdam and hop off first in Volendam (2 hours: harbour, Botterwerf, coffee). Continue to the cheese farm (1 hour: tastings and clog demonstration), then on to Edam (1.5–2 hours: canals and lunch). End the afternoon at the Zaanse Schans (2 hours: windmills and workshops) before the bus brings you back to Amsterdam. Travelling with public transport instead? Consider the Dutch Countryside Card with 2 or 3 days of unlimited regional transport.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the hop on hop off bus from Amsterdam cost?
A day ticket costs from €20 per person, with online offers from €17. The ticket includes unlimited travel on the route, the Botterwerf visit in Volendam and the cheese farm and clog factory visit.
Where does the countryside hop on hop off bus leave from?
From THIS IS HOLLAND at Overhoeksplein 51 in Amsterdam Noord, a free 3-minute ferry ride from Amsterdam Central Station (direction Buiksloterweg).
How often does the bus run?
Every 30 minutes between all stops, so you never wait long after hopping off.
Can I visit Volendam, Edam and the Zaanse Schans in one day?
Yes. With buses every 30 minutes and roughly 2 hours per village, all four stops fit comfortably in one day. Start in the morning for the most relaxed experience.
Is the ticket refundable?
Yes, you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure and get a full refund.
Plan your countryside day trip
The hop on hop off bus is the most flexible way to combine Volendam, Edam, a real cheese farm and the Zaanse Schans in one unforgettable day — at your own pace, without the crowds of a fixed group tour. Check availability and book your tickets here, and explore our guides to Volendam, Edam and the Zaanse Schans to plan every stop.