Zaanstad town council has voted in favour of introducing an entrance fee of €17.50 for visitors to the Zaanse Schans windmill park – one of the Netherlands’ most popular tourist attractions and which is currently free.

The measure was first mooted earlier this year in an effort to reduce the number of people visiting the location, often as part of an organised tour.

Councillors also agreed that there will no physical fence placed around the complex and it will remain free for local residents. Other decisions about how to implement the plan will be taken later.

In 2024, the Zaanse Schans attracted 2.6 million visitors, and the Dutch tourism board expects a rise in visitor numbers to the region in the coming years.

“The Zaanse Schans was never envisaged to be the public draw it is now,” and has become a “national symbol for over-tourism,” council official Wessel Breunesse told the Parool last month.

Officials expect numbers to fall to some 1.8 million visitors a year with the introduction of an entrance fee.

This would still leave the council with some €31.5 million to spend on protecting the 20 windmills and other heritage buildings that make up the complex.