Best Things To Do In Schiedam: Windmills, Jenever and Historic Canals

Quick history of Schiedam

Schiedam’s story began in the 13th century when a dam was built across the river Schie, which gave the city its name. Its location between Delft and Rotterdam quickly made it an important trading post. Over time, Schiedam grew into a bustling port town, with shipbuilding, fishing, and grain milling driving its early prosperity.

The real boom came in the 18th and 19th centuries when Schiedam became the jenever capital of the Netherlands. Hundreds of distilleries operated here, earning it the nickname “Black Nazareth” thanks to the dark smoke that once filled the skies. Massive windmills were built to grind the grain for gin production. Many of these iconic mills still tower proudly over the city today.

As the jenever industry declined in the 20th century, Schiedam reinvented itself. Former distilleries and warehouses were transformed into art spaces and cultural centres. The historic canals and industrial buildings have been lovingly restored, creating a town with tonnes of old-world charm.

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Top Things To Do In Schiedam

Explore the Historic Canals

Schiedam’s canals are serene and postcard-perfect. Lange Haven, Nieuwe Haven and Noordvest canals are lined with classic Dutch gables, old distilleries, and converted warehouses. Wander along the quays, across the drawbridges, search out the windmills or stop at an independent café, It’s photogenic and full of hidden details like the reflections of boats on the canal surface.

Look down among the cobblestones and you might spot some “stumbling stones” (Stolpersteine). This moving art project of brass plaques was created by German artist Gunter Demnig to honour victims of the Nazi regime by placing them outside their last known residence. I’ve come across them in Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, to name a few. They have now been laid in more than 1,200 cities and towns across Europe.

From April to October, you can see Schiedam from a new angle on a quiet whisper boat tour. This activity wasn’t meant to be on this trip to Schiedam, so I can only imagine how lovely it is to peacefully glide through the canals, passing historic facades.

Visit Museum Molen De Walvisch

Schiedam is home to the tallest traditional windmills in the world with De Noord soaring up to 33 metres high. At the jenever industry’s peak, more than 20 mighty windmills lined the skyline, their sails spinning above the canals and warehouses that defined Schiedam’s industrial boom.

Museum Molen De Walvisch is a great way to see the inner workings of a restored distillery mill and learn how wind power fuelled Schiedam’s prosperity. The museum begins at the shop before leading you up through its fascinating levels. Watch the city’s story unfold in a 180° audiovisual show, peek at the miller’s former living quarters, and admire the intricate wooden gears still that were once in motion.

It was a real highlight to be shown around by one of the millers, whose grandfather had worked here with the same passion and dedication. Sadly, the family tradition will end with him, as his son has chosen a different path. During the visit, he stopped the sails so I could step into the role of a miller for a moment and and take in the sweeping rooftop views over the canal-lined Schiedam, where other windmills dot the horizon.

Learn about Jenever Distilling

The spirit of jenever put Schiedam on the map and brought it worldwide fame. You can still sense that legacy of Dutch gin production as you walk along the cobbled streets lined with former distilleries and warehouses that once shipped barrels of “Schiedamse jenever” across the globe.

A visit to the Jenever Museum is the best way to uncover this proud tradition. Housed in a historic distillery, it brings the craft to life through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations of the “Old Dutch” distilling method. You’ll learn how jenever evolved through the centuries and how distillers mastered the balance of grain, juniper berries, and botanicals to create their unique blends.

No visit would be complete without a testing the goods. End your visit in the museum’s inviting proeflokaal (tasting room), and sip your way through different styles — from young and old jenever to special editions — and discover how subtle changes in aging or ingredients transform the flavour. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for this Dutch classic, and maybe a favourite bottle to take home.

Stop for the perfect pastry at De Bakkerette

Make your way to De Bakkerette, a cosy bakery housed in the former Monopole cinema, with picture-perfect benches outside. No GPS needed — the scent of fresh pastries will guide you from around the corner. Follow the queue winding along the cobbled street, full of patient punters eager to choose from the counter stacked with golden pretzels, bagels, iced pastries, freshly baked sourdough, buttery croissants, and decadent brownies. I locked eyes with the maple pastry. When your delicacy is too big for the plate, you know it’s something special.

Pastry chef Bas Kornet is the brains and passion behind De Bakkerette, bringing experience from Scotland and Rotterdam. He champions local and sustainable ingredients wherever possible, including flour from Schiedam’s mills, chocolate from De Bonte Koe, and other regional products. If you want my advice, make room in your Schiedam itinerary for a coffee and a sweet treat at De Bakkerette. Hopefully, you’ll get the window seat as it’s the best spot for people-watching.

Visit Stedelijk Museum Schiedam

Set inside an 18th-century former hospital, the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam stands as the city’s creative heart. Its collection of over 15,000 objects bridges Schiedam’s past and present, from its urban history to stories of migration., while its growing collection of modern and contemporary art traces the evolution of Dutch creativity through the decades.

A key part of its story is the early recognition of the Cobra movement, a post-war group of artists who broke free from convention — and I’ve always admired Karel Appel’s work in particular. The museum’s temporary exhibitions surprised me in the best way. They’re beautifully curated and shine a light on artists who challenge norms and both question, and connect with today’s society. Stedelijk Museum is one of the best things to do in Schiedam, and should not be missed.

Check Out the Monopole

Standing proudly across from the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, the Monopole building has lived many lives. It began in 1921 as Pandora, a cinema designed by architect Arie Stahlie during the heyday of movie theatres. Over the decades, it was renamed City and then Monopole, becoming the place where locals escaped into the magic of film, even through the difficult wartime years. When the cinema finally closed in 1968, the building reinvented itself again and again: as a nightclub, a dance school, a party venue, and even a lively bingo hall in the 1990s.

After years of standing empty, the city bought the building in 2002, determined to restore its purpose. Following a careful renovation focused on sustainability and reuse, the Monopole reopened in 2019 as part of the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, and now hosts exhibitions, events, and creative initiatives. I was lucky to attend their first immersive art exhibition, “Silence & The Presence of Everything”, which delves into our relationship with the world and the wonders of nature.

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Get your Chocolate Fix at De Bonte Koe

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, De Bonte Koe is the place to be. Founded in 1992, this family-run chocolate company has earned a loyal following for its handmade, sustainable creations. A visit to their shop on Lange Haven is hard to resist especially when you’re greeted by rows of chocolates that are metaphorically calling your name, and the irresistible aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as the space doubles as a cosy café.

De Bonte Koe’s mission is simple, and it’s one that’s earned them B Corp certification: to craft the finest artisanal chocolate in the Netherlands with care for both people and the planet. Their chocolates, made from organically certified cocoa beans sourced from the Dominican Republic, range from classic pralines and jenever to inventive bars with unexpected flavour pairings. How could I possibly say no to the French rose bouchée or the Irish coffee bonbon? Good luck leaving without a box to go!

Admire De Korenbeurs building

The De Korenbeurs is one of Schiedam’s most iconic landmarks, once the heart of the city’s bustling grain trade. Built in the 18th century, this grand former exchange was where merchants gathered to negotiate prices and drive Schiedam’s prosperity. Its classical façade and graceful proportions symbolise the wealth and ambition of the Dutch Golden Age.

Since 2015, the De Bibliotheek Schiedam library has occupied the building, sharing the space with a snug café surrounded by flourishing greenery. It is free to enter, just grab a coffee, and take a moment to admire the vaulted ceilings and elegant arches as soft light filters through the restored windows.

Dine in a Top Bistro — De Eenling

Round off your day at De Eenling (The Loner), a welcoming French-inspired bistro where the food looks as beautiful as it tastes. This relaxed spot, styled like a classic neighbourhood brasserie, sits on Schiedam’s Grote Markt. Chef and owner Marnix Benschop opened it in 2019 after honing his culinary skills in some of Rotterdam’s best kitchens.

Locally sourced ingredients are the star here, paired with inventive flavours and organic wines — not all have the official stamp but small producers have been well-researched and share the same ethical mindset. Even the plates have a local touch, made by a contemporary pottery studio in Schiedam.

I opted for a vegetarian tasting menu, and it was an unadulterated delight. The delicate Jerusalem artichoke with homegrown flowers and herbs set the tone, followed by a creamy chicory tart tatin and pumpkin ravioli in a rich chanterelle cream sauce. The savoury finale — braised onions with hispi cabbage and silky hollandaise topped with freshly grated autumn truffle — was a big hit with my palate.

The atmosphere at Brasserie De Eenling is relaxed yet undeniably special. It’s the kind of place that invites you to take your time over dessert and a glass of wine — which I happily did. I couldn’t resist trying both the walnut and quince tart, and the towering profiterole. Watching the chef pour the salted caramel sauce was pure heaven. My advice? Don’t leave Schiedam without dining De Eenling.

|| YOU MAY LIKE TO READ MY GUIDE ON SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANTS IN ROTTERDAM

Visit Schiedam: Need To Know

How To Reach Schiedam

Schiedam is well-connected by train, metro, tram, and even bike from nearby Rotterdam. Here’s a breakdown:

By Train

Schiedam Centrum station sits on the main Rotterdam–The Hague line, so trains run frequently.

• From Rotterdam Central, it’s just a 5-minute ride.
• From The Hague, the journey takes about 25 minutes.
• There are also direct trains from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport taking roughly 50 minutes.

By Metro

Schiedam Centrum is part of the RET metro network, served by lines A, B, and C. You can hop on from anywhere in Rotterdam and reach Schiedam in minutes. This a great option if you already have a Rotterdam Welcome Card or OV-chipkaart.

By Tram or Bus

Trams and several buses connect Schiedam with Rotterdam and Vlaardingen. It’s a slower but scenic way to travel if you want to see more of the urban landscape along the way.

By Bike

Cycling from Rotterdam to Schiedam takes around 20–25 minutes. There are safe cycling paths along the Nieuwe Maas River, and you can use OV-fiets (bike-share) at stations.

PIN to Visit Schiedam