Experts reveal this unknown city as a top alternative of Amsterdam (only 15 minutes away)

Condè Nast has been experts in their field for what feels like eternity. As such, we trust their judgment at Travel Off Path when it comes to peeling the curtain of the best alternatives to iconic destinations.

The question that you may ask is, why would the aforementioned icons not make a valuable visit?

When it comes to Amsterdam, in case you have missed it, several anti-tourism campaigns have been launched in recent years with the aim of encouraging potential tourists to look somewhere else or behave “if they choose to go a holiday here.

Let us not put around the bush – Amsterdam does have a dark elements of tourism that draw a certain kind of crowd, but that is not a general explanation for everyone.

Some of us just want to go for a picturesque bike ride along the famous channel and take epic photos in a flower field – what’s wrong with that?

Nevertheless, the city has not exactly been the most hospitable host, but that does not mean that the whole of the Netherlands feels the same.

Until Amsterdam is planning, there is no better time to venture into the unknown and to discover more Dutch pleasures and this quirky “mini-Amsterdam” SHYPED by Condè Nast is just a train journey of 15 minutes from one of the most sought after cities in Europe.

Welcome to the crazy city of Zaandam

I don’t know how you are, but the windmill farms of California are nothing less than a bird-killing thorn in the middle of the desert.

But in the Netherlands?

Their windmills are a hugely popular attraction, and there is demonstrably no better place than perhaps the most legendary district of Zaandam, Zaanse SchansFor the perfect photo-on.

For the average tourist there seem to be 4 must-dos when this country visits:

• Go for a nice bike ride
• Walk along lively canals
• See the windmills
• Enjoy endless cafés

All of that and more can easily be achieved in nearby Zaandam (and the local population is hospitable!).

But what really distinguishes Zaandam is the incomparable cartoon -like cityscape of traditional façade houses that are apparently stacked as LEGOS.

Although Condè Nast makes an honest comparison with the city that looks more like one Jenga game. Anyway, although the city looks like a ____ Legos, at least you won’t go on one step – Ouch!

Enjoy a crowd-free channel

Despite the urge to scare tourists, the Amsterdam city center is busy at all times. The same cannot be said for Zaandam, a place to opt for the off-the-wall character of the city about following the crowds only because.

The heart of Zaandam is certainly where the ‘action’ is, but they are apples and oranges compared to their world -famous neighbor.

Whether you just take a nice walk along the canal to take the lively waterfront and a strange architecture, take a mandatory bike ride, grab a coffee in one of the many cafés or visit countless museums in the area Zaans Museum & Verkade -experienceIt is a completely different atmosphere than the crowds of Amsterdam.

Better yet, the channel is the home of the city’s top hotel (and also supported by Condè Nast).

The Inntel Hotel is one of the buildings of Zaandam LEGO/Jenga. There is no better place to stay that really feels locally – even the rooms are strangely designed.

Now you just have to decide whether the nocturnal rate of $ 200 is worth it. We vote at Travel Off Path yes!

All on board! Zaandam is just a quick hop by train

It doesn’t matter if you defy the “Karens” of Amsterdam, make your basis there with a day trip to Zaandam, or vice versa, the journey could not be easier.

The ride from Amsterdam Central to Zaandam lasts 15 minutes tops.

But if I, or said that Karens has fully visited you from visiting Amsterdam, you can choose to fly to Schiphol Airport (AMS) and step directly to Zaandam on about a 25 -minute trip.

The route from Amsterdam Central to Zaandam costs around $ 3.90, and the latter costs around $ 6.60. However, there are discounts for advanced purchases online.

There are an estimated 120 direct trains per day on this route, so you don’t feel rushed to catch one at a certain time.

More remarkable, don’t forget that the majority of Dutch people speak English in case you need help navigating!

Sam Sears

SAM, our main writer and journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and wrote more than 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and throwing a light on lesser -known gems.