Zaandam: the dutch town that looks like a lego world

Zaandam recalls a world made of Lego bricks, among which the Inntel Hotel stands out with its façade made up of 70 stylized and overlapping traditional Dutch houses

Zaandam is a Dutch city located just 10- to 12-minute train ride from Amsterdam. It owes its popularity not only to a pretty unique and captivating look but also to seeming as a LEGO world. Probably, one of the most iconic sights here is the Inntel Hotel-a structure that looks like it has materialized from some architect’s dream.

An architectural marvel inspired by tradition

With its façade composed of about 70 stylized and overlapping traditional Dutch houses, this is pretty exceptional. The result is an intricate puzzle of shapes and colors that creates an incredible visual effect, making the building seem like a gigantic LEGO construction.

House facades express the traditions of the region of Zaan mainly in shades of green and blue, as a tribute to the work of Claude Monet, who painted in Zaandam in 1871 “Blue House”.

Town hall looks straight out of ‘Alice in Wonderland’

It is also a luxurious facility that provides its guests with a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and a wellness center. The hotel has 11 floors, comprising 160 rooms nicely decorated according to the theme of the building, harmoniously connecting modern comfort with tradition.

Zaandam is not about the Inntel Hotel alone, though. This city has a variety of other interesting sights: the town hall with green and blue construction gives it the appearance of something taken straight from “Alice in Wonderland“. Other places of interest are the Verkade Factory, which is a chocolate factory that details the industrial history of the region, and Monet Atelier, which represents mock-ups of the paintings done by the French artist while he stayed in Zaandam.

Day trip for nature enthusiasts

Of course, no visit would be complete without taking in a walk along the canals of this city, where visitors will find brightly colored houses, bridges that lift to allow boats to pass, a small waterfall, and quaint squares lined with cafes and restaurants serving up a plethora of cuisines. Zaandam is suitable for a day outing, as most of the attractions are within walking distance from the train station. Nature lovers who want to be outside can visit Jagersveld, a recreation area where one can relax among trails and beaches along Lake Jagersplas.