Zaanse Schans Implements Entry Fee to Manage Tourists and Protect Local Life

Tue Sep 30 2025 02:28:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a bold move, the picturesque Dutch village of Zaanse Schans will start charging tourists an entry fee of €17.50 beginning next spring. This aim is to control the surging visitor numbers, which have reached nearly 2.8 million annually, putting pressure on the local community.

As Zaanse Schans faces an overwhelming surge of tourists, local authorities plan to charge outside visitors an entry fee to preserve the village's charm and protect the privacy of residents. The fee will include access to local museums and windmills, but it raises concerns among local business owners about potential decline in visitor spending.

The historic Dutch village of Zaanse Schans is well known for its windmills, which a lot of tourists want to see. Indeed, they are some of the most picturesque examples in the Netherlands and easy to get to from Amsterdam.

Last year, 2.6 million people visited— a gigantic amount for a small place with a resident population of just 100. It is far too many tourists, says the local council. They announced that from next spring, it will charge every visitor from outside the area €17.50 ($20.50; £15) to enter, aiming to control the numbers.

Marieke Verweij, director of the village's museum, articulates the situation, “In 2017 we had 1.7 million visitors... this year we're heading for 2.8 million. But this is a small place! We just don't have room for all these people!”

Visitors often disrupt locals’ daily lives by intruding in their gardens and houses. Verweij adds: “They pee in gardens, knock on doors, take pictures, and use selfie sticks to peek into homes. So no privacy at all.”

The €17.50 admission includes access to two key attractions that currently charge separately – the museum and the interiors of the windmills, which illustrates the historical use of these iconic structures. The entrance fee is expected to generate around €24.5 million in annual revenue, which will be invested in maintenance and infrastructure.

However, the local shop owners, including those in traditional attire, fear a drop in sales with the introduction of the fee. Sterre Schaap, co-owner of a gift shop, expressed discontent, stating that the fees will dissuade budget-conscious families from visiting.

As the village navigates the balance of tourism and local identity, similar admission fees can be observed in other tourist hotspots worldwide, yet still remain rare for small villages.