Finding calm (and windmills) in Weesp, Amsterdam’s quiet neighbour
It’s a Sunday morning when we arrive by train in Weesp, and a sense of calm immediately settles over us. It’s a holiday weekend in Amsterdam, and it’s been a lot. The contrast is instant: the city’s crowds give way to open spaces, greenery, and the gentle flow of canals and waterways.
Just 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam on the Sprinter, Weesp (pronounced “VAY-sp” or “WEE-sp”) sits between the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal and the River Vecht. Though it officially became part of Amsterdam in 2022, it still feels a world away — a slower rhythm of windmills, cafés, and quiet charm.
With its local brewery, historic windmills, and riverside walks, Weesp is the perfect day trip from Amsterdam — a breather from the bustle without really leaving the city.
One of Weesp’s historic windmills watching over the Vecht.
From quiet streets to beer in a church: exploring Weesp at our own pace
A sleepy Sunday in Weesp is filled with windmills, ostensibly empty houses, and windows you could almost walk right up to. There’s barely anyone about, making us wonder if we’ve wandered into some kind of model village.
Weesp artist Burney Bavelaar’s Waterkant — depicting a young boy sitting on a quay wall watching a clog boat drift by — might be the best summary of the time you’ll spend here. This is a place to simply chill.
Case in point: Wispe Brewery, housed inside an old church, and a perfectly fitting spot for a Sunday pint or two. The tall spire drew us in like a magnet, and the contrast between the soaring arches and the gleaming modern brewing tanks encapsulates both the historic and contemporary sides of the town.
Another worthwhile stop is the Weesp Museum, which offers a surprisingly detailed look at the town’s rich history of chocolate, beer brewing, gin distilling, and fine porcelain. The incredibly friendly staff personally take us around, sharing stories about the artwork, a few minor political scandals from the 18th century and, of course, chocolate.
Exploring Weesp’s windmills and canals
Canals, windmills, and nightlife are some of Amsterdam’s biggest drawcards, but if you’re like me, the crowds can be a bit much. The great news is that Weesp has all those Dutch icons, and you don’t have to wander far to find them.
Right through the centre of town, canals and boats define the view, but within five minutes we found ourselves in one of the most picturesque suburban inlets we’ve ever seen. Walking along Achter Het Vosje, we were flanked by the canal on one side and rows of Dutch Colonial houses on the other. The greenery of the Speeltuin ’t Vosje park and play area nearby makes it an ideal spot to sit and watch the world drift by.
Pro tip: Be a respectful tourist if you visit this area. People live here. Take a quiet stroll, soak in the atmosphere, but don’t peer into windows or make a racket. As Fran Lebowitz famously said: “Pretend it’s a city.”
We continued around the corner on Hoogstraat to cross the iconic Lange Vechtbrug (Long Vecht Bridge), a national monument and drawbridge spanning the Utrechtse Vecht river. On the other side, the rounded walls of Fort aan de Ossenmarkt — built in 1861 to defend the fortified city — keeps silent vigil over the town.
As we wandered back towards the train, what seemed like the entire town stopped for a drawbridge to let a few boats pass through. In any other city, you’d expect grumbles and eye-rolls at such a delay. Here, it’s simply part of the ebb and flow of Weesp — a gentle pause in a sleepy schedule.
Getting there
How do I get to Weesp?
The quickest way to reach Weesp from Amsterdam is by Sprinter train from Amsterdam Zuid for 4 stops. The journey takes around 15 minutes, with trains running every ten minutes or so on most days.
You can also drive there in about 20 minutes, but we found the train a far gentler way to ease into the town’s laid-back rhythm.
Feeling extra Dutch? Cycle — it’ll take roughly 45 minutes and give you a rolling preview of the countryside on the way.
A perfect pause from Amsterdam
Weesp may technically be part of Amsterdam now, but it still feels like it’s from another time and place. The slow rhythm, the quiet vigil of the houses, the hum of cyclists passing by: it’s a place that invites you to exhale. Whether you come for the windmills, the brewery in a church, or simply a quiet walk along the water, Weesp offers the kind of calm that’s hard to find just a few train stops away.
