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The Classic Dutch Cycling Holiday that offers the perfect introduction to cycling holidays in Holland. Starting and finishing in Amsterdam, this tour leads you along Holland’s marvellous cycle path network through beautiful polder landscapes to the gorgeous old towns of Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda
Spend a night in bustling Amsterdam before embarking on 6 or 7 night lazy loop through some of Holland’s most iconic scenery. Cycle on well-maintained cycle paths along ancient dykes surrounded by the simple yet beguiling polder landscapes of verdant green meadows, windmills, canals and lakes.
Polder landscape
In April and May only, you cycle through the famous Dutch bulb fields which are a blaze of colour and stop off and enjoy the impressive and kaleidoscopic Keukenhof Gardens.
Each night you’ll stay in a comfortable, centrally located hotel in one of Holland’s grand old towns such as Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda. Each of these places has a historic centre of narrow cobbled streets, beautiful squares and inner canals that are just perfect for a pre or post dinner stroll.
This is a very easy cycling holiday that uses Holland’s impressive network of cycle paths. The terrain is level and the daily distances are very manageable except perhaps for day 6 which covers 79 kms. If this sounds a little daunting you can opt for the 7 night trip which divides this day in two by inserting an extra night in Woerden.
This is a very easy cycling holiday that uses Holland’s impressive network of cycle paths. The terrain is level and the daily distances are very manageable except perhaps for day 6 which covers 80 kms. If this sounds a little daunting you can opt for the 7 night trip which divides this day in two by inserting an extra night in Woerden.
Check into your hotel and then get out to explore Europe’s most cycle friendly capital. The city is of course famous for its gorgeous 400-year-old canal district but we also recommend taking in the street artists and performers on Dam, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. The Canal Museum is a great new attraction and the renovated Rijks and Maritime Museums are also worth visiting.
You’re not cycling all that far today so there is plenty of time to visit any of Amsterdam’s sights that you missed yesterday. When you are finally ready, leave the city via a lovely cycle path and head out into rural Kennemerland past polders and vast country estates. The going is easy and as you would expect very flat.
Before long you will find yourself arriving in Haarlem where you will stop for the night. Check-in to your centrally located hotel and then take a wander through the historic old town to the impressive town square. Art galleries, cafes, bars, restaurants and specialty shops live cheek-by-jowl in the narrow winding streets and be sure to also take in the famous white drawbridge over the river Spaarne.
There’s plenty of time for further exploration of Haarlem this morning before setting off on the bikes. Today’s route leads you south on idyllic cycle paths through the quiet and peaceful dune and bulb region. If you are cycling this route during April or early May then you 'may' to be treated to a riot of colour, as this is the time when the famous tulip fields are historically in bloom.
Whatever time of year you make the trip the polder landscape, complete with traditional windmills and ancient dykes is the perfect backdrop to your cycle ride. You’ll spend the night in Leiden, an old university town, again with a lovely old, cobble-stoned centre. Take a stroll down the narrow streets to admire the 17th century townhouses and charming canals. There is also the the historic botanical garden and the Gothic St. Pieterskerk.
A reasonably short cycle ride today so take your time and enjoy the unique polder landscapes that accompany you on your journey. Polders are reclaimed plots of land, bisected by small canals and contained by a clever system of Dykes. In the old days, traditional windmills were used to pump these polders dry and keep the waters at bay but today more modern technology is used. Your cycle path eventually delivers you to Delft – a town famous for its famous blue and white pottery. There are a number of potteries around the town that you can visit during your stay, including the oldest, Royal Delft where the products are still hand-painted following a centuries old tradition. We also recommend a visit to The Vermeer Centrum where you can admire the work of world famous Delft painter Johannes Vermeer.
Today’s cycle ride leads you eastwards, through the Green Heart of Holland to Gouda. You’ll be pedalling along cycle paths that follow raised dykes through the vibrant green polders past tiny villages and canals. Your destination is Gouda – famous of course for its cheese but also a lovely old town with a beautiful central square. Stroll along the romantic inner-city canals, perhaps stopping in a cafe for a delicious stroopwafel – a local speciality. The town’s cheese market takes place every Thursday morning (mid April until last Thursday in August) in the main square in front of the gorgeous old City Hall and is definitely worth a visit at the start of day 6. The old weigh house is also a cheese museum and is a fun and interesting place to visit and learn more about Gouda cheese.
Today you embark on the longest ride of the tour but by now your legs are ‘in the groove’ and up for the challenge. The route leads you through gorgeous rural countryside characterised by rivers, canals, polders and lakes. Top tip! The apple tart sold in the small villages in these parts is really quite something and is a great excuse for a break. After a while you join the Amstel River and enjoy a pleasant ride along its banks back into the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam.
Please note that it is possible to split this day in two, spending an extra night in the town of Woerden – in this case you would cover 38 kms in one day and 49 kms the next.
After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home for home or your next adventure.
On this tour you can choose between a regular bike or an E-bike.
Regular bike: Is an alloy framed model with 21 speeds and a comfortable, relaxed riding position, perfect for a leisure cycling holiday. The minimum height for a male specific bike with crossbar is 150cm and for a unisex/female model is 140cm. Adult bikes are equipped with a pannier, lock and repair kit.
E-BIKES: These unisex/step through electric bikes are a popular option on this route and ensure riders can enjoy the scenery along the way, whilst not working too hard at the climbs. The bikes come equipped with a pannier, lock and repair kit. The minimum height is 160cm.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons, alternatively helmets for adults only are available for rent at the time of booking.
Below you will find examples of the accommodations typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.
Superior: Good quality hotels and guesthouses.
Amsterdam: WestCord Art Hotel
Haarlem: Hotel Lion d’Or
Leiden: Tulip Inn Leiden Centre
Delft: Hampshire Hotel Delft Centre
Gouda: Best Western Hotel Gouda
Woerden: Best Western hotel Woerden 7 night trip only
Local taxes
Some hotels in some countries have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €2-€4 per person per night.
Fly to Amsterdam or take the Eurostar.
Research flights from the UK here
Research Eurostar from UK here
Easy
Leisurely
Moderate
Challenging
