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How to visit Kinderdijk Windmills in the Netherlands
The windmills at Kinderdijk are among the most iconic symbols of Dutch heritage. This collection of 19 historic windmills, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage sight can be found just outside of Rotterdam. Kinderdijk is a great example of a quintessential Dutch landscape and the windmills were essential in centuries of water management and engineering. Visiting these windmills feels like stepping back in time and walking through a postcard of the Netherlands. However, They don’t just look pretty, they play a crucial role in preventing floods and reclaiming the land from the sea. In this guide, we’ll tell you exactly how to visit Kinderdijk to make the most of your visit, from the best times to go and what to see, to practical tips for exploring these 19 windmills.
Looking for more places to visit in Netherlands? Find them here.
How to get to Kinderdijk
Getting to Kinderdijk from Amsterdam or Rotterdam is straightforward and offers a few scenic options. From Rotterdam, the easiest way is to take the Waterbus, a ferry service that departs from the Erasmus Bridge and takes you directly to Kinderdijk in about 30 minutes, providing beautiful views along the way. Alternatively, you can drive or take a bus, with the journey taking around 20-30 minutes. From Amsterdam, the most convenient route is to take a train to Rotterdam, which takes about 40 minutes, and then transfer to the Waterbus or drive the remaining distance. If you prefer to drive directly from Amsterdam, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach Kinderdijk. Each option offers a pleasant journey through the Dutch landscape, setting the stage for your visit to the iconic windmills.
Best Time to Visit:
The Kinderdijk is beautiful year round, although it does get cold in wintertime. However, it will be quieter and if you’re lucky you might even get a snowy or icy landscape. The spring is a great time if you want to see some a greener more blooming landcape.
Opening hours:
March to November 3
Daily from 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
November 4 to December
10.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Christmas Day (December 25)
Closed
What can you see in Kinderdijk?
There are 19 windmills to admire in this part of the Dutch Countryside. Some people come just to admire the landscape, but two of the windmills function as a museum and can be visited on the inside: Museum Nederwaard en Museum Blokweer. Besides the museums there is visitors Centre called ‘De Fabriek’ that shows a film that explains the entire history of Kinderdijk. Finally there is ‘Wisboom pumping station’. Tikets include access to all of the above!
Museum Nederwaard
Museum Nederwaard is housed in one of the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk and offers an immersive experience into the daily life of a miller’s family. As you explore the windmill’s interior, you can see the authentic furnishings and machinery that have been preserved to reflect the mill’s original 18th-century state. You will climb the narrow stairs of the windmill and discover how the miller and his family lived and worked. They maintained the mill’s mechanisms to keep the surrounding land dry. It feels like stepping back in time and you’ll be able to imagine what life in a windmill was like.
Museum Blokweer
Museum Blokweer is one of the oldest windmills in Kinderdijk. It will show you what a traditional Dutch windmill looked like in the early 17th century. Unlike other mills in the area, Blokweer is a “wipmolen,” a type of windmill with a pivoting top that allows the sails to face the wind. The museum highlights the historical methods of water management, with exhibits explaining the evolution of windmill technology.
De Fabriek
De Fabriek, also known as the Steam Pumping Station, marks a significant point in Kinderdijk’s water management history. It was built in the 19th century. This former steam-powered facility shows the transition from wind-powered mills to more modern, mechanical methods of water control. Inside, you will see large steam engines that once played a critical role in keeping the land dry. Visiting both De Fabriek and the windmills you’ll notice the technological advancements that have shaped the Dutch landscape over time.
Wisboom Pumping Station
The Wisboom Pumping Station is another key element in the story of Kinderdijk’s water management. This 19th-century steam pumping station was one of the first to supplement the work of the windmills, showcasing the shift towards industrial solutions for controlling water levels. The museum inside the station features detailed exhibits on the engineering and operation of the pumping station, as well as its historical significance in the battle against flooding. The Wisboom station remains a symbol of the innovation and resilience that have defined Dutch efforts to manage their waterways.
Illumination week
For 1 week of the year the windmills will light up in the evening. This happens every first full week of September (Monday through Friday). The world-famous windmills of Kinderdijk are illuminated by floodlights during the evening. The illuminated windmills make this special place even more beautiful and it’s a spectacle that is visited by many photographers. From Monday, September 2nd, to Saturday, September 7th, 2024, Illumination Week will take place at Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage. There are special opening hours for this week:
Monday to Thursday
7.45 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
9 a.m. – 11.30 p.m.
Getting around
Kinderdijk world Heritage site is spread out over a few kilometers. The bike and footpaths are flat and its relatively easy to get around. A fun way to explore is by bike or an easy 30-45 walk around the area. However, there is a boat tour included in your entrance ticket for Kinderdijk! The area and boats are accessible by wheelchair. (Keep in mind that if there are strong winds, they might be forced to stay ashore, so check the weather).
Tour Boat: The hopper
As the name suggests, you can hop on and hop off this tour boat. It stops at the two museums inside the windmills.
Tour Boat: The cruiser
This tour boat goes further out then the hopper, but doesn’t stop along the way. It will give you a wonderful different perspective of the windmills during a 30 minute cruise.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online and include access to the two museums, the two pumping stations and the tour boats. You can buy your tickets here.
Weekend Prices: Entrance Adult: €19,50, Entrance Child ages 0 to 3: Free
Weekday Prices: Entrance Adult:€18,00, Entrance Child ages 0 to 3: Free
