Schiedam: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Schiedam’s historic city centre features historic harbours and is known for having the tallest windmills in the world. Between windmills, waterways and old buildings, the city’s history becomes tangible in many places: it spans everything from the grain trade and distilling to a vibrant urban and ecclesiastical history.

History and Culture

At the De Walvisch museum windmill, an audiovisual presentation featuring a moving 180-degree projection tells the history of Schiedam’s windmills. Visitors can also learn about the miller’s work and how Schiedam’s distillery windmills operate. In the attic, they can grind their own grain. The Babbersmolen offers another hands-on presentation: its miniature polder system can be flooded and drained again using a water wheel and sluices.

The Stedelijk Museum Schiedam is housed in the former Sint Jacobs Gasthuis and presents several exhibitions on art and history. The Nationaal Coöperatie Museum tells the story of the rise, heyday and decline of Dutch consumer cooperatives over a period of more than 150 years. Admission is free, and the museum also offers a personal guided tour by a member of staff.

The Grote or Sint Janskerk is the oldest building in Schiedam. Its 54-metre-high tower offers views of Schiedam’s city centre, the tallest windmills in the world and numerous monuments. The Zakkendragersgildehuis tells the history of the Zakkendragersgilde, which unloaded grain ships for many centuries. The grain was destined for the genever industry. As part of living history, the Zakkendragersgilde itself offers a dynamic insight into the lives of 18th-century dockworkers.

Craftsmanship and Flavour

Genever is part of Schiedam’s traditional urban history. The Nationaal Jenevermuseum tells the story of the iconic drink genever, Schiedam’s role as a genever city and the craft of distilling. Genever is still distilled at the museum. Tastings are also available, led by a knowledgeable guide who explains the flavours being sampled.

At the historic De Gekroonde Brandersketel distillery, artisanal Old Schiedam Moutwijn Genever is made according to a recipe from 1700. Thus, the cityscape reflects not only the tall windmills, but also the processing of grain and the production of this traditional drink in a recognisable connection.

Experiences and Routes

Whisper boat tours pass Schiedam’s tallest windmills, warehouses and distilleries in the historic city centre. Schiedam harbour can be reached from Schiedam Centrum station by train, metro, tram and bus. There are three Watertaxi stops in the harbour in total. The Watertaxi connects Schiedam with Pernis, Heijplaat, the RDM Campus and central Rotterdam.

Routes also connect different sides of the town by land. The “Schiedams Reuzenavontuur” cycling route leads to Schiedam’s tallest windmills and combines them with pancakes, playgrounds and a flock of sheep. Another cycling route leads out of the town via Ketheldorp into nature and the wide-open landscape of Midden-Delfland. Another runs through Schiedam’s historic city centre and along the Maasboulevard.

De Plantage is the oldest city park in the Netherlands. A windmill on the historic Poldervaart dates from 1710, making it the oldest remaining polder mill in the Netherlands. The NS walking route “Schiedam Jeneverstad” leads through parks, meadows, ditches and canals, through Schiedam and via harbours and an old railway line to the centre of Rotterdam; Schiedam is referred to as a genever city along the way.

For further navigation around the destination: Schiedam. Other destinations at the same regional level are Leiderdorp, Ouderkerk, Oegstgeest, Middelharnis, Rijswijk, Zoetermeer and Korendijk.

For the higher-level travel overview: South Holland.