Most tourists visiting the Netherlands go to Amsterdam. However, many tourists also like to see the iconic Dutch windmills. Therefore, combining the two would be perfect. So are there windmills in Amsterdam, and where can they be seen?
So, are there windmills in Amsterdam?
There are nine windmills in Amsterdam. The number used to be much higher, but most of them have been demolished or collapsed over the years. All of these windmills can be visited. However, not all of them are open to the public.
Now that you know there are windmills in Amsterdam, of course, you want to know where they are located, what their history is, and what makes them unique. Therefore, in this article, I will explain where to see windmills in Amsterdam.
In this article, I will cover the top 9 windmills that can be found in Amsterdam. All nine mills are actually in Amsterdam; some, however, are a little closer to the city center than others.
After reading this article, you will know exactly where the mills are located and what their story is. This way, you can decide which windmill you want to visit during your visit to Amsterdam.
Windmill De Gooyer is probably the most famous windmill in Amsterdam, as well as being among the most famous windmills in the Netherlands.
If you are in Amsterdam and would like to see an old Dutch windmill, you should definitely visit De Gooyer. It is one of the last remaining wooden mills in the Netherlands, making it a unique piece of history. Unfortunately, the mill is not open to tourists, but nevertheless, it is definitely worth a visit when you are in Amsterdam.
You can also perfectly combine your visit to De Gooyer with a visit to the adjacent beer brewery, Brewery 't IJ. Here you can try delicious local beers with a view of De Gooyer in the background.
De Gooyer is the last remaining mill that belonged to a group of mills that stood on the outer canals of Amsterdam. From the 17th to the late 19th century, these mills were used to grind grain. The mills were tall and located on the outskirts of the city because that way, they could catch a lot of wind.
The original mill dates back to the 16th century, only it has been moved and destroyed several times. Finally, De Gooyer was rebuilt at its current location in 1814.
The Gooyer is located on the edge of Amsterdam's old city center. It is possible to get here by car and public transportation. However, keep in mind that parking in Amsterdam can be tricky.
Travel time from Central Station ranges from a 30-minute walk to a few minutes by car. Travel time by public transportation is between 10 and 20 minutes.
Address:
Funenkade 5, 1018 AL Amsterdam
Windmill De Otter can be found in Amsterdam West and is a sawmill dating back to 1631. The mill was part of a large group of sawmills that stood in this part of Amsterdam between the 17th and late 19th centuries. De Otter is the only remaining mill of this group.
The location of this group of mills, on the western edge of the city, of which De Otter is the only remaining, was very favorable. They captured a lot of wind here, and supply and transport of wood could be done through the adjacent canals.
However, in the late 19th century, several nearby harbors were filled in to make way for the encroaching city center. This suddenly made the location of De Otter a lot less favorable.
In addition, in 1921, they switched to an electric wood saw system. As a result, De Otter was out of service and abandoned. In 1996, the mill was first renovated, and for a while, there was talk that it should be moved. However, this never happened.
Between 2015 and 2019, the mill received several more renovations, and in 2022 the terrain around the mill was also restored. As a result, the mill now looks beautiful again and is even used again when there is enough wind.
It is also possible to visit and see De Otter in operation during these days. For more information on this, I refer you to De Otter's website.
De Otter is located west of Amsterdam's old city center, just west of the famous neighborhood, the Jordaan.
If you want to get to De Otter by car from Central Station, you will be about 10 minutes away. In Amsterdam, however, always keep in mind that parking can be tricky.
From Central Station by public transportation, the trip to De Otter takes about 20 minutes. Walking to De Otter is also possible and takes about 30 minutes from Central Station.
Address:
Gillis van Ledenberchstraat 78, 1052 VK Amsterdam
De Gaaspermolen is a polder mill built in 1707. These types of mills were used to keep the water level in the polders at the right level. The mill pumps water from the lower polder up into the upper reaches of the Gaasp River.
De Gaaspermolen is one of the oldest functioning polder mills around Amsterdam. In addition, the mill is being lived in and, unfortunately, is not open for viewing.
It is, of course, possible to view the mill from the outside, something that is also highly recommended. Because De Gaaspermolen is located on the outskirts of Amsterdam, it is beautifully situated between the river and the polders, which makes for beautiful pictures.
What makes De Gaaspermolen extra special is that it is still actually in service, unlike many other mills.
De Gaaspermolen is located on the southeastern edge of Amsterdam, at the edge where the city turns into nature. This does create a longer travel time compared to the mills closer to the center of Amsterdam.
By car from Amsterdam Central Station, you are 30 minutes away from De Gaaspermolen. By public transportation from Central Station, however, you can easily take about 45 minutes to an hour. Also, take into account multiple transfers and stretches of walking.
Walking from Central Station to De Gaaspermolen is not recommended. This is a two- to two-and-a-half-hour trip. Therefore, this walk is recommended only for true hiking enthusiasts.
Address:
Lange Stammerdijk 20, 1109 BN Amsterdam
De Riekermolen is a polder mill built in 1636. The mill was initially located in the Riekerpolder south of the village of Sloten near Amsterdam.
Until 1932, the mill kept the water level in this polder at the desired level. After this, they switched to more advanced techniques, so De Riekermolen was taken out of service.
Because the polder where the mill stood was being reclaimed, De Riekermolen had to be moved. As a result, it was demolished in 1956. Eventually, De Riekermolen was rebuilt on the edge of Amsterdam south, on the west side of the Amstel River.
Together with an electric pumping station, De Riekermolen today pumps an adjacent polder in which an Amsterdam neighborhood has been built. However, the mill is no longer in continuous operation.
When the wind is favorable, the mill runs on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 5 p.m. from May to September. Unfortunately, De Riekermolen cannot be visited inside.
Nevertheless, this mill is definitely worth visiting and gives you a good idea of what these iconic structures look like.
De Riekermolen is located south of Amsterdam and just below the famous park, Amstelpark.
The mill is easily accessible both by car and public transportation. If you go by car from Central Station, you are about 23 minutes away. By public transportation, you should expect a travel time of 30 to 35 minutes.
Although the mill is relatively close to Central Station (6.7 km), you should allow for a travel time of an hour and a half if you go there on foot.
Address:
De Borcht 10, 1083 AC Amsterdam
Windmill De Bloem, or De Blom, also called, is a mill built in 1768, which was used to grind wheat.
Originally, this mill once stood in the town of Sloten, located next to Amsterdam. However, De Bloem has moved a total of three times and finally arrived at its current location on the west side of Amsterdam.
Until the early 1950s, De Bloem was used as a wheat mill. After having had many different owners, today, the mill is managed by the City of Amsterdam.
Unfortunately, this does not mean the mill is open to the public. Only once a year on National Mill Day can De Bloem be visited. However, the mill can be viewed by the enthusiast from the outside.
De Bloem is located northwest of the center of Amsterdam, just above the Amsterdam neighborhood, Bos en Lommer.
From Central Station, De Bloem is easily accessible by car, public transportation, and on foot. By car, travel time is only about 10 minutes. By public transportation, you are about 15 minutes away. If you decide to walk from Central Station, you should count on about 40 minutes of travel time.
Address:
Haarlemmerweg 465, 1055 PK Amsterdam
In the northernmost tip of Amsterdam stands Krijtmolen d'Admiraal. A unique national monument, built in 1792, commissioned by Elizabeth Admiral. De Krijtmolen is the last wind-driven chalk mill in the world. This makes this mill a very special structure and an important piece of Amsterdam's history.
The mill is located on a large canal, which makes for typical Dutch pictures. The mill is still running regularly, sometimes grinding for production.
Krijtmolen d'Admiraal is not routinely open to the public, but there are a certain number of days each year when it is. On these days, tours will be given, and you will learn all about this mill. It is also possible to rent a space in the mill to hold events.
If you would like to visit a unique windmill during your stay in Amsterdam, then Krijtmolen d'Admiraal is an absolute must!
Krijtmolen d'Admiraal is located in Amsterdam North. So seen from Central Station, you will have to go under or across the water to get to this part of town.
You are about 15 to 20 minutes away if you go by car. By public transportation, travel time will be about the same as by car. It is also possible to walk to visit this mill. Do allow for a travel time of 45 minutes from Central Station.
Address:
Noordhollandschkanaaldijk 21, 1034 ZL Amsterdam
Molen van Sloten is a polder mill that was built fairly recently. Located in the southwest of Amsterdam, this mill stands in the area where De Riekermolen (see above) once stood before it was moved. De Molen van Sloten was built in 1991 on an 1847 hull of another mill.
Although this mill is not the oldest, it is still a lot of fun to visit. This is because De Molen van Sloten is one of the few daily accessible "working" mills in the Netherlands.
This way, you will learn all about the technology of a windmill and the history of the district where the mill is located. So if you want to learn something besides viewing a mill, De Molen van Sloten is highly recommended!
For more information about their guided tours, please check their website.
De Molen van Sloten is located in the southwestern part of Amsterdam. This is quite far from the city center. Because of this, travel time will be slightly longer, but parking may be easier.
From Central Station, you are about 20 minutes away by car. By public transportation, you should expect a travel time between 30 and 45 minutes. Walking is not recommended for this trip, as the travel time is 2 hours.
Address:
Akersluis 10, 1066 EZ Amsterdam
De 1100 Roe is a polder mill built in 1674. Since 1965, this mill has been located west of Amsterdam. Before this, the mill stood a little further north and about 400 meters from a similar type of mill, De 1200 Roe (see below).
This polder mill originally served to ensure that the water level in the polder remained at the desired level. However, the mill lost its function in 1951 when the polder was largely filled with sand. As a result, it was decided to dismantle the mill in 1961.
Finally, De 1100 Roe was rebuilt in its present location in 1965. At this location, it still serves as a polder mill, ensuring that the water level in the adjacent sports park remains at the desired level.
De 1100 Roe is not open to the public but can, of course, be viewed from the outside. The mill is located on the city's outskirts in a beautiful green setting, which provides extra nice pictures.
This mill is located on the west side of Amsterdam. From Central Station, you are about 18 minutes away by car. By public transportation, you should expect a travel time between 36 and 45 minutes.
To reach De 1100 Roe on foot from Central Station, you have to allow for a considerable walk, as you will be an hour and 45 minutes away.
Address:
Herman Bonpad 6, 1067 SN Amsterdam
De 1200 Roe was built in 1632 and served as a polder mill. About 400 meters from this mill stood De 1100 Roe; these mills served adjacent polders.
In 1951, De 1200 Roe lost its function when much of the polder was filled with sand. However, unlike De 1100 Roe, the relocation of this mill did not proceed.
Nevertheless, the mill is in good condition and is still regularly operated (turning the blades only). De 1200 Roe is additionally lived in. However, unfortunately, it is not open for visits.
De 1200 Roe is located west of Amsterdam, on the Haarlemmerweg. From Central Station, the mill is easily accessible, and by car, it takes only 14 minutes. By public transportation from Central Station, you should expect a travel time of about 30 minutes.
De 1200 Roe can also be reached on foot, but it is quite a walk, and you should count on a travel time of an hour and 20 minutes.
Address:
Haarlemmerweg 701, 1063 LG Amsterdam
As you probably know, there are many windmills in the Netherlands. However, not many people know that there are also windmills in Amsterdam, which are absolutely worth a visit.
So I hope this article can ensure that these windmills get the attention they deserve and that even tourists who only visit Amsterdam now know that it is possible to view iconic Dutch windmills and where to see windmills in Amsterdam.
In the meantime, if you want to learn more about windmills in the Netherlands, please check out my article with facts about Dutch windmills!