Tulips, bicycles, and… windmills. For many of us, these are the first images that come to mind when we think of the Netherlands. These elegant structures with spinning blades are not just picturesque attractions – they tell a story of survival, innovation, and adaptation. Once, they were the driving force behind the survival and development of a country partially built below sea level.
Windmills have become a national symbol precisely because they played a crucial role in shaping both the land and the identity of the Netherlands. With their help, the Dutch turned marshes into fertile land and kept the sea at bay.
Today, windmills have become genuine tourist attractions, blending stories of the past with dreamy landscapes. Let’s explore why they are so important and where you can see them – whether you want to photograph them, explore inside, or simply enjoy an authentic Dutch view.
What Are Windmills and What Were They Used For?
The Dutch built thousands of windmills from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, each with a well-defined purpose. Most were used to drain water from polders – lands reclaimed from the sea or marshes. In a country where over 25% of the territory lies below sea level, windmills were literally lifesaving. Without them, much of present-day Netherlands wouldn’t exist.
In some regions, windmills were also used for:
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Grinding grain – for bakeries, households, and export.
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Sawing timber – especially for shipbuilding and construction.
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Pressing seeds for oil, making mustard, or dyeing textiles.
In short, windmills were the backbone of the Netherlands’ economic development and territorial expansion.
How Did Windmills Work?
As romantic as they seem today, these structures were highly functional. At their core, a windmill is a simple machine powered by wind. The wind turned the blades, which activated a horizontal shaft connected to an internal mechanism – gears, levers, and millstones or pumps, depending on the mill’s function.
🎡 Interesting facts:
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Windmills could be manually rotated to capture wind from the optimal direction.
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Some had primitive brakes or blade adjustment systems for different wind speeds.
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Dutch “molens” were among the most technologically advanced in medieval Europe.
Though they may look simple, windmills are marvels of traditional engineering.
Why Did Windmills Start Disappearing?
With the advent of steam engines and later electric motors, the role of windmills began to decline drastically. Modern pumps were more efficient and easier to control. By the late 19th century, many mills were abandoned, demolished, or replaced by modern pumping stations.
Out of over 10,000 windmills built throughout Dutch history, around 1,000 remain, many preserved by foundations dedicated to heritage conservation.
Still, the Dutch passion for these symbols led to many being restored and protected. Some have been converted into museums, others are still functional and carefully maintained by volunteers. The windmills of the Netherlands remain a source of national pride and an irresistible attraction for visitors from around the world.
Where Can You See Windmills in the Netherlands?
Today, Dutch windmills can be admired in both famous tourist areas and lesser-known but equally charming towns. If you want to truly experience the charm of the Netherlands, here are some places where windmills still tell their stories:
🌀 Kinderdijk – A Dutch Heritage Masterpiece – 19 of the best preserved windmills of the Netherlands
Kinderdijk is not only one of the most iconic Dutch sights but also a living lesson in how the Dutch reclaimed their land. The 19 historic windmills line the canals and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Kinderdijk is also one of the most photogenic destinations in the Netherlands. If you’ve seen a photo of the Netherlands outside tulip season, chances are it was the perfectly aligned row of five windmills from here.
🔸 What’s special here:
Sixteen of the windmills are still inhabited, and two are open to the public as museums, showing how miller families once lived. One of them, dating from the 17th century, has a completely different architecture – it’s older and offers a fascinating view of technological evolution.
🚲 You can explore the area by bike or boat, and guided tours reveal how the mills protected the land from floods. While beautiful year-round, spring and autumn are especially magical here.
🔸 Personal tip:
This is my favorite spot! Less crowded than Zaanse Schans, with wide bike paths and an authentic atmosphere. If you choose the full ticket (€19.50 in 2025), you get access to both museum mills, the old steam pump (later electrified and now replaced by a modern electric one), and two boat tours – one with audio guide, the other stopping at the museum mills. Parking costs €9.50.
📍 Getting there: Near Rotterdam, easily accessible by public transport or organized tours from Amsterdam/Rotterdam.
🌀 Zaanse Schans – Tradition and Craftsmanship Near Amsterdam – 7 well preserved windmills of the Netherlands
Just 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is a vibrant, colorful open-air museum where windmills still function just as they did 300 years ago. Here, you don’t just admire them – you see them in action!
🔸 What you can do:
Visit a sawmill, a paint mill, or an oil mill, watch clog-making demonstrations, taste artisan cheeses, and stroll among perfectly preserved historic houses.
🔸 Access:
The area is free to explore (outdoors), but interior access requires various ticket types – from entry to a single mill to multi-entry packages (including the special paper mill, slightly further away). A great place for families and those wanting to combine a nature walk with hands-on history.
💡 Bonus:
Combine your visit with stops in the picturesque towns of Volendam, Marken, or Edam.
🌀 Keukenhof – A floral paradise with a historic windmill of the Netherlands
While Keukenhof is world-famous for its spectacular tulip gardens, many visitors are pleasantly surprised to find a traditional Dutch windmill on-site. This beautifully preserved windmill offers a scenic overlook of the surrounding tulip fields and adds a nostalgic charm to the floral spectacle.
🔸 What makes it special: The windmill at Keukenhof dates back to 1892 and was relocated here from the province of Groningen in 1957. It no longer serves a mechanical function, but it has been carefully maintained and is open to visitors during park hours. From its upper deck, you can enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the bulb region in spring.
🚶♀️ Tip: Climb to the platform for a great photo opportunity — especially stunning when the fields are in full bloom. It’s also the starting point for whisper boat tours that glide through the flower fields behind the park.
🔸 Access: Included with your regular Keukenhof ticket (from €19.50 in 2025). The park is open from mid-March to mid-May, with the windmill accessible daily during that season.
🌀 Schiemond – Industrial Rotterdam with a Vintage Touch
For a striking contrast, visit the Schiemond district in Rotterdam. Here, historic windmills are reflected in murky waters amid cranes, containers, and futuristic buildings. It offers an unusual image of how the past integrates into the industrial landscape.
🌀 Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known but Charming Windmills
Alkmaar
Known for its Friday cheese market (March–September), Alkmaar also has a small windmill complex, some centrally located and others on the outskirts. It’s easy to combine a day of cheese market exploration with a windmill visit for a truly Dutch experience.
Gouda
Besides the working De Roode Leeuw windmill, the city boasts the longest church in the Netherlands, two cheese museums, and an interactive tour of the syrup waffle factory, where the first stroopwafels were made. The town center is full of charm, with canals, cafés, and local shops.
Haarlem
At the perfectly restored “De Adriaan” windmill, you can climb up for a wonderful panoramic view of the city. The interior museum is interactive and clearly explains the mill’s mechanism and the area’s history. Perfect to combine with a spring trip to Bollenstreek – the tulip region.
Leiden
This vibrant university city, with excellent museums and botanical gardens, is also home to a few historic windmills. The most famous is “De Valk”, located right by the train station and now a museum. You can climb to the top for great rooftop views and explore the interior, preserved as it was in the millers’ time. Bonus: Leiden is lovely in spring and easily linked to tulip area excursions.
Schiedam
If you’re fascinated by impressive proportions, Schiedam is the place – it’s home to the tallest traditional windmills in the world, built to grind grain used in gin production. Several have been restored and are open to visitors, one even housing a small museum dedicated to the local gin industry. The atmosphere is authentic and less touristy – ideal for those seeking a different kind of experience from the big attractions.
National Windmill Day in the Netherlands (Nationale Molendag)
Every year, on the second weekend of May, the Netherlands celebrates National Windmill Day, an event dedicated to these emblematic monuments. Over 600 windmills open their doors to the public, allowing visitors to step inside, see the mechanisms in action, and talk to “molenaars” – the millers who lovingly maintain them. It’s a rare and authentic opportunity to understand just how vital these structures were (and still are) to Dutch identity. If you’re in the Netherlands at that time, don’t miss this spinning, history-scented experience.
Conclusion: The Windmills of the Netherlands – Living Symbols of a Country Battling the Water
The windmills of the Netherlands are not just picturesque silhouettes against a shifting sky – they are powerful symbols of a nation that turned a challenge – wind and water – into an ally. They are a testament to Dutch ingenuity, adaptability, and respect for nature.
Whether you discover them in Kinderdijk, at the open-air museum in Zaanse Schans, or while wandering the charming streets of Haarlem or Alkmaar, each windmill tells a story. Some are famous, others hidden, but all deserve a stop and a moment of admiration.
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