When you think of The Netherlands, there are a few iconic symbols that come to mind: tulips, cheese and windmills. Whilst a great portion of The Netherlands is already below sea level you don’t really realize this when wandering around the quaint towns because the Dutch have long since mastered their battle with the sea. Kinderdijk is a perfect example of this. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, this little village not far from Rotterdam is most famous for its unique collection of 19 authentic windmills which were built around 1740. Wandering around the many waterways and dikes, it’s easy to see that these windmills have since formed a functional part of everyday life in helping the Dutch to prevent flooding. Whilst it is a small village, there are still many things to see and do. Here is my list of six things to do when in Kinderdijk.
- EXPLORE INSIDE A WINDMILL
Windmills are pretty to look at, but the power they harness is something else. During the tourist seasons, you can wander inside one of these windmills, specifically the Museummolen. Here you can explore and learn about how the windmills function and what it is like to live inside the windmill. The Museummolen is open from 09:30 – 17:30 daily in the summer (April – October). Outside the summer season, they are only open from 11:00 – 16:00 on weekends.
- CYCLE FROM KINDERDIJK TO ROTTERDAM
Despite being a small village, Kinderdijk is easily accessible by public transport because it is so closely located to major cities like Rotterdam and Amsterdam. There’s a beautiful cycling route which allows you to cycle alongside the windmills and onward to Rotterdam which is just 16 km away.
- TAKE A BOAT RIDE
Boat rides are then perfect way to see the windmills. A boat departs every half an hour from the cafeteria front. The cost is €3.
- MILLS IN FLOODLIGHT
During the second week of September, the windmills are lit up at night. An evening stroll amongst glowing windmills is an unforgettable sight.
- VISIT A WINDMILL WORKSHOP
If you love windmills, then pay a visit to the authentic windmill workshop. Here you will learn about the construction and maintenance of the surrounding windmills as well as how it works and how to become a professional miller.
- RENT A BIKE
Rent a bike and cycle around the village, taking in beautiful quaint Dutch architecture as you go. It’s also another traditional way to see the windmills.
Have you visited Kinderdijk? I’d love to hear about your experience! Leave me a comment down below.