Schiedam is known for the tallest windmills in the world, and its historic city center features historic harbors. At the same time, genever is still distilled at the Nationaal Jenevermuseum. The city brings together the history of windmills, its harbor, and the craft of distilling—alongside other museums and routes that offer their own insights into Schiedam’s history and surroundings.
Windmills and Harbor Views
The Museummolen De Walvisch combines viewing with hands-on activities: an audiovisual presentation with a moving 180-degree projection tells the story of Schiedam’s windmills. Visitors can grind their own grain in the attic. You can also learn about the miller’s work and how Schiedam’s distillery windmills operate.
At the Babbersmolen, water management comes to life at a miniature polder. Visitors can flood and drain it themselves using a waterwheel and sluices. The Grote- of Sint Janskerk offers a different view of Schiedam: it is the city’s oldest building. Its 54-meter-high tower offers views of the city center, the tallest windmills in the world, and numerous monuments.
Genever, Museums, and City History
The Nationaal Jenevermuseum tells the story of genever, the iconic drink, Schiedam’s role as a genever city, and the craft of distilling. At the historic Branderij De Gekroonde Brandersketel, artisanal Old Schiedam Moutwijn genever is made using a recipe from 1700. The museum also offers tastings, during which a knowledgeable guide explains the aromas of the drinks being sampled.
Art and history are at the heart of the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam. Housed in the former Sint Jacobs Gasthuis, it presents several exhibitions on both subjects. The Nationaal Coöperatie Museum focuses on Dutch consumer cooperatives and traces their rise, heyday, and decline over a period of more than 150 years. A personal tour with a museum staff member is available there free of charge.
At the Zakkendragersgildehuis, you can learn about the history of the Zakkendragersgilde, which unloaded grain ships for many centuries; the grain was destined for the genever industry. Living history also offers a dynamic glimpse into the lives of 18th-century harbor workers.
City Routes and Open Countryside
Schiedam reveals its many sides on foot and by bike, too. The NS walking route “Schiedam Jeneverstad” passes through parks, meadows, ditches, and canals, through Schiedam, and past harbors and an old railway line, ending in central Rotterdam. The route describes Schiedam as a genever city. Park de Plantage is the oldest city park in the Netherlands.
The “Schiedams Reuzenavontuur” cycling route connects Schiedam’s tallest windmills with pancakes, playgrounds, and a flock of sheep. Other routes lead out of the city: one passes through Ketheldorp into nature and the wide-open countryside of Midden-Delfland. Another runs through the historic city center and along the Maasboulevard. So, as well as windmills and museums, you can choose from a variety of landscapes and routes.
Getting Around the Harbor
Schiedam harbor is accessible from Schiedam Centrum station by train, metro, tram, and bus. There are three Watertaxi stops in the harbor, and the Watertaxi connects Schiedam with Pernis, Heijplaat, the RDM Campus, and central Rotterdam. As the stop locations may change, check the current stop information before traveling.
Discover more destinations: Schiedam, Lisse, The Hague, Nederlek, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Alblasserdam, Teylingen, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
For the broader travel overview: South Holland.
