Windmills of Kinderdijk

The Basics

Marked walking and cycling trails lead visitors around the windmills and afford magnificent views of the canals, mills, and dykes. At the visitor center, located in the Wisboom Pumping Station, a film tells the story of Kinderdijk and its windmills, while two of the windmills are open to the public as museums, offering behind-the-scenes peeks into a working mill. Admission tickets include entrance to the visitor center exhibitions, windmill museums, and an audio guide. (It is free to view the windmills from the outside.) Boat tours around the canals are also available, offering stunning views of the windmills and the surrounding countryside.

Most visitors choose to visit on a half-day tour from Rotterdam, but day trips from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and the Hague often also include a stop at Kinderdijk.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Windmills of Kinderdijk is a lovely outing for first-time visitors to the area and those looking for a bucolic respite from Rotterdam.

• The visitor center has a café, gift shop, and restrooms.

• The walking trails and boat tours around the windmills are accessible to wheelchairs, but the windmill museums are not.

How to Get There

Kinderdijk village is located around 14 miles (22 kilometers) southeast of Rotterdam, about a 30-minute drive. From Rotterdam, take the metro to Rotterdam Zuidplein, from where buses run to Kinderdijk, or catch a boat from the Boompjeskade (April to October only). From Amsterdam, it’s just over an hour’s drive.

When to Get There

The Windmills of Kinderdijk museums and visitor center are open year-round, although hours vary throughout the year. You can walk along the canals and admire the windmills at any time, though a particularly magical time is during the weeklong Illumination Festival in September, when the windmills are lit up at night.

Windmills of the Netherlands

The windmills of Kinderdijk and other locations around the Netherlands are more than scenic—they help to manage the high water levels and prevent flooding throughout the notoriously low-lying country. Most of the polder mills in Kinderdijk served as pumping stations and were part of a complex water management system that included dykes, canals, and reservoirs. Although more modern systems are in place today, some of the mills still function as backups.

Do people live in the windmills at Kinderdijk?

Yes, people live in the Windmills of Kinderdijk. Most windmills have residents, many of whom are members of the Hoek family who have lived in the area (and its windmills) for many generations. Many of the residents have a degree in milling and are thus authorized to use the windmills for their original purpose.

What is the best time to visit Kinderdijk?

The best time to visit the Windmills of Kinderdijk is during the summer when the skies are less likely to be cloudy. Come early in the morning or at sunset for the best photos, or plan an evening visit for the annual Illumination Festival in September, when the windmills are lit up.

Are guided tours available for exploring the Windmills of Kinderdijk?

Yes, guided tours are available for visitors who want to explore the Windmills of Kinderdijk, and they are worth it. Many tours include transportation from Rotterdam or Amsterdam, and some include bike rentals. Themed photography tours are also available for travelers who want to take quintessentially Dutch photos.

Is there an entrance fee to visit Kinderdijk?

Yes, there is an entrance fee to visit the Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can buy tickets online or when you arrive, or book a guided tour that includes admission fees and—in many cases—transportation, guide services, and even bicycle rentals.

How long should I spend at Windmills of Kinderdijk?

It depends. You can spend as little as an hour at the Windmills of Kinderdijk, though most visitors like to spend a bit longer at the site to truly appreciate all it has to offer. Many tours of the area spend about three or four hours at Kinderdijk.

Can I combine a visit to Kinderdijk with other nearby attractions or cities in the Netherlands?

Yes, you can combine a visit to Kinderdijk with other nearby attractions and cities, and many people do. Tours of the area often include stops to nearby towns such as Delft, famous for its blue pottery, The Hague, or Rotterdam, and some even visit Gouda, famous for its cheese.

Ways to explore

Viewing the windmills from the outside is free, but for a complete experience, book an admission ticket, which includes entry to the visitor center, exhibitions, two windmill museums, and an audio guide. Cycling and walking trails are free to use, and canal boat tours are also available.

Many visitors from Rotterdam and Amsterdam pair Kinderdijk with visits to Delft, The Hague, or countryside dairies. In April and early May, you can also combine a visit to the windmills with a trip to the Keukenhof gardens to see the famous tulips in bloom.

Accessibility

The windmill museums have narrow entranceways and steep stairs, and are inaccessible to wheelchair users. However, the footpaths, mill yards, film theater, and tour boats are accessible. Accessible restrooms are also available. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Umbrella, the Kinderdijk app to listen to audio guides and use maps

What to wear

Sneakers for plenty of walking, a waterproof jacket

Not allowed

Drones, off-leash dogs

Amenities

Lockers, restrooms, ticket desk, eateries around Kinderdijk, visitor center

Address 

The Windmills of Kinderdijk are around 14 miles (22 kilometers) southeast of Rotterdam. You can drive or take public transit, but for a quintessential Dutch experience, it is also possible to visit on a cycling tour.

Driving

Limited parking is available in Kinderdijk, so public transportation is recommended. However, if you do want to drive, the journey takes around 30 minutes from Rotterdam or an hour from Amsterdam. The small paid parking lot is next to the entrance.

Public transportation

From Rotterdam, the most scenic route is via the WaterShuttle, which runs Friday through Sunday and takes under 30 minutes. On weekdays, the simplest route from Rotterdam is the RET 3 tram to Beverwaard, changing at P+R Beverwaard to bus 489.

Best times to visit

More windmills operate when there is strong enough wind (generally force 2-3). In Kinderdijk, this is often in the afternoon.

Best days to visit

The first Saturday of every month is a Windmill Day, when most of the mills are in operation, as long as the wind conditions are sufficient.

Best months to visit

Dutch tulips are in bloom in April, so it’s the best month to visit if you want to combine a Kinderdijk trip with the Keukenhof gardens.

Special events

Special events include Illumination Week in early September, when the windmills are lit up at night; National Windmill Day; and Craftsmen’s Day, which features blacksmithery, clog making, and eel smoking.