One of the most famous sights in the Netherlands are the windmills of Kinderdijk. When visiting the Netherlands, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must see in order to truly experience the Dutch history and culture.
About Kinderdijk
Nowadays, Kinderdijk is a place to learn about the Dutch culture, and admire & photograph the 19 windmills. Fun fact: In the middle age, the windmills functioned as drainage systems that protected the village from rising seawater levels, which was crucial for survival.
The area demonstrates the art of handling water. In order to preserve this, Kinderdijk became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
What to do when visiting Kinderdijk?
Photograph the windmills and the area around
Kinderdijk is a well known and famous location to get a perfect shot of windmills. I would advise you to start your day early and arrive at Kinderdijk 30 minutes before sunrise (yes, that early).
This will allow you to:
- Park your car for free in front of the entrance of Kinderdijk.
- Walk to the corner of the Moldenkade Nederwaart street and prepare to take your shot.
- Listen to and admire all the birds that are waking up.
- Experience Kinderdijk without any other tourists around (we were the only ones there).
- Visit one of the windmills as well as the museum
Experience Kinderdijk by boat
Kinderdijk also hosts boat trips that allow you to experience the area by boat. This will provide a whole new view of the windmills. You can enter the boat by using your entrance ticket of Kinderdijk museum. Making a reservation is not needed.
Visit a local bakery
When you visit Kinderdijk during sunrise, it is nearly a must to drink a cup of coffee after having taken in all the views. Go to the local bakery “ons dagelijks brood” and enjoy the fresh bread, pasties and coffee. We would highly recommend it.
Parking
Kinderdijk has a limited number (around 20) free parking spots at the entrance. When you come early or if you get lucky, you can park your car here. If these parking spots are all full, there are plenty of parkings spots in the area that cost €9,50 per car.
Conclusion
Kinderdijk is the perfect place for a day trip to experience the Dutch culture. Wake up early, bring your camera and explore the magnificent windmills. You won’t regret it!