Are there too many tourists in the Netherlands? For many locals, the answer is a firm ‘yes’.
Amsterdam has been struggling to attract the right kinds of visitors for a while now, launching multiple campaigns to deter rowdy partygoers. The capital has banned new hotels, restricted cannabis use in the red light district, and placed limits on overnight stays (although campaigners have accused the local council of failing to adhere to its own guidelines).
But it turns out that the chaos of mass tourism isn’t staying within city limits.
Zaanse Schans, a small town known for its picturesque windmills and tulip fields, is a popular day trip destination from Amsterdam – but its locals say the number of visitors is reaching an unmanageable level. In 2024, a whopping 2.4 million people visited the little village, which is home to only 100 people.
‘No privacy at all’ in Dutch village
In an effort to reduce the high numbers descending upon Zaanse Schans, the council has announced that anyone coming to the town from spring 2026 onwards will be charged €17.50. That may seem a bit steep, but your ticket will also grant you access inside a windmill and into the local museum, both of which currently charge separately for entry.
The money from the Zaanse Schans entry fee will be spent on maintenance of the windmills and upgrading infrastructure like parking and toilets.
It’s not common for towns to introduce a fee like this, but the people of Zaanse Schans seem to feel as though they’re out of options. ‘This is a small place!’ the director of the village museum, Marieke Verweij, explained to the BBC. ‘We just don’t have room for all these people!’.
Verweij explained that some tourists don’t realise that there are actually people living inside of the postcard-perfect Dutch cottages, meaning they ‘walk into their gardens, they walk into their houses, they pee into their gardens, they knock on doors, they take pictures, they use selfie sticks to peek into the houses’ In short, there’s ‘no privacy at all’.
Following in Venice’s footsteps
Venice introduced a similar scheme a couple of years ago, although its day-tripper fee is €5 and only counts at peak times. That scheme raised €2.4 million, which can go back into maintenance and repairs, ensuring that the city stays as beautiful as ever and that historic attractions get the TLC they need.
However, critics say that it doesn’t do enough to actually deter tourists. Whether the Dutch town’s much higher cost will be more successful at keeping visitor numbers at bay remains to be seen.
How to avoid overtourism
Not everywhere wants tourists to stay away. In fact, loads of places actively want you to visit, and Europe is full of underrated gems that could be perfect for your next getaway. If you are still determined to see the windmills of Zaanse Schans, here is a guide on how to be a better tourist next time you travel.
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