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Windmills at Kinderdijk

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Landmark
—°10
Windmills at Kinderdijk (Netherlands)

Weather…

The windmills of Kinderdijk constitute one of the most famous ensembles of historic water management facilities in the world. Around 1740, 19 windmills were constructed here to pump excess water from the low-lying polders of the Alblasserwaard into the river Lek. This impressive system showcases the centuries-long technological development of the Dutch in their constant struggle against water. The mills are arranged in two rows along the canals and represent various architectural types, including stone ground-sailers and wooden octagonal mills. Due to their historical significance and excellent state of preservation, the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997. Today, the windmills at Kinderdijk are not only a vital monument but also a functioning system that illustrates the complexity of Dutch polder drainage.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C446913161818161285
Rain mm776655385662788770798185

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The entire grounds of the Kinderdijk windmills are open to the public; visitors can stroll along the dikes and view the mills from outside. Some windmills are set up as museums and can typically be visited for a fee, though not all are accessible inside.
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Typical hours
The outdoor area is freely accessible at all times. The museum windmills typically open seasonally from around 9:00 to 17:00, but exact hours vary by year and weather.
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Photography
Outdoor photography of the mills and landscape is allowed at all times and highly recommended. Inside the museum windmills, flash photography is usually prohibited to protect the historic interiors.
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Time needed
Allow at least two to three hours to walk along the dikes and visit one or two mills. A full exploration including a boat tour can take half a day.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with a trip to the nearby village of Kinderdijk or a canal boat ride. The mills are also close to Rotterdam, which makes for a good day trip.
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Getting there
By car, Kinderdijk is reached via the A15 motorway, exit Ridderkerk. Alternatively, buses run from Rotterdam, taking about 30 minutes; bicycles can be rented on site.
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Insider tip
Visit the mills early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the well-suited reflection in the water. Wear comfortable shoes as you will walk a lot on the unpaved dikes.

Geography

Coordinates
51.88330, 4.63890

Facts

  • A total of 19 historic windmills are preserved at the site.
  • Most of the windmills were constructed around the year 1740.
  • Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.
  • The mills were built to drain the Alblasserwaard polders.
  • The mills are divided into the Nederwaard and Overwaard groups.
  • One of the windmills is open to the public as a museum.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

KinderdijkKinderdijk<1 km · WExplore →
AlblasserdamAlblasserdam3 km · SEExplore →
RidderkerkRidderkerk3 km · SWExplore →
Krimpen aan den IJsselKrimpen aan den IJssel4 km · NWExplore →
Capelle aan den IJsselCapelle aan den IJssel7 km · NWExplore →
ZwijndrechtZwijndrecht7 km · SExplore →
DordrechtDordrecht8 km · SExplore →
BarendrechtBarendrecht8 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Windmills at Kinderdijk (10)

Museum Windmill Nederwaard🏛 museum

Museum windmill showing life and work in a Dutch polder mill.

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Nederwaard Molen No.2

Polder mill, one of 19 historic windmills at Kinderdijk, used for drainage.

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Nederwaard Molen No.1

Polder mill, part of the UNESCO site, pumps water out of the polder.

Nederwaard Molen No.3

Polder mill, a working 18th-century windmill.

Visitor centre Wisboom pumping station🏛 museum

Visitor centre in a historic pumping station, explains water management.

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Unesco viewpoint - Kinderdijk

Viewpoint overlooking the windmills and the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Pier 2 Overwaard

Boat pier, starting point for tours through the mill area.

Museummolen Blokweer🏛 museum

Museum mill, displays traditional milling technology and living quarters.

Boezems Kinderdijk

Bird protection area under EU directive, habitat for waterfowl.

Ridderkerkse Griend

Nature reserve in Ridderkerk, wetland with reeds and meadows.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How many windmills are there in Kinderdijk?
There are a total of 19 historic 18th-century windmills that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Can you visit the inside of the windmills?
Yes, two of the windmills are set up as museums and can be visited inside.
What is the best way to reach Kinderdijk from Rotterdam?
The Waterbus is the most scenic and fastest way to get from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk.
Does it cost money to enter the site?
Walking and cycling on the paths is free, but a ticket is required for the museums and boat tours.
When are the windmills in operation?
With sufficient wind, the windmills often turn on Saturdays in July and August.
Windmills at Kinderdijk: where is it located?
Windmills at Kinderdijk is located in South Holland, Netherlands.
Windmills at Kinderdijk: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museum Windmill Nederwaard, Nederwaard Molen No.2, Nederwaard Molen No.1.
Windmills at Kinderdijk: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Windmills at Kinderdijk: why is it worth visiting?
The windmills of Kinderdijk constitute one of the most famous ensembles of historic water management facilities in the world.
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