A journey of Dutch discovery

It wasn't until the 17th Century that large parts of the area north of Amsterdam were recovered from the lingering grip of the ocean to become the typical Dutch landscape of polders, mills, harbors, and tulips.

The route on this dynamic Dutch bicycle tour brings you over small dykes and country roads, riding past a number of windmills that are still in working order. You can get a feel for the old Dutch atmosphere in Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Edam, and Volendam, where your eyes will be dazzled and delighted by traditional costumes, sail ships, and longjohns drying on the clotheslines!

Day 4 of the tour sees you sailing to Texel, an inspiring island home to thousands of sheep, myriad bird species, and a magnificent nature reserve. Back on the mainland, the route brings you to Holland’s most beautiful dune area. These are also the only kilometers you will be cycling above sea level!

Alkmaar provides a unique picture of life in ancient times. As the capital of Dutch cheesemaking, Alkmaar boasts its own lively cheese market and intriguing weigh houses. And for another look into life in traditional Holland, Zaanse Schans, a lovely little hamlet on the River Zaan, charms its visitors with mills, houses and shops selling traditional Dutch crafts.

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Highlights

• Beautiful Dutch landscapes of polders, mills, harbors, and tulips
• Enkhuizen - Traditional Dutch town
• Texel - Island with rich nature reserve
• Zuiderzeemuseum
• Holland's most beautiful dune area
• Alkmaar - Capital of Dutch cheese
• Traditional fishing villages
• Zaanse Schans

Learn More

Learn more about guided tours.

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Amsterdam.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Amsterdam (9 miles/15 km)
The barge is moored at the Oosterdok in central Amsterdam, near the train station. You are expected to arrive at the barge between 3 PM and 4 PM. When you arrive on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew, and of course, your fellow passengers. Once everyone is ready, the tour guide will take you on your first short bike ride around the northern and more quiet part of Amsterdam. During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week are discussed. Instructions on cycling and safely procedures will also be given.

Day 2: Wormerveer – Alkmaar (25 miles/40 km)
From Wormerveer, you will hop on the bike to cycle along scenic dunes and, weather permitting, you can take a dip in the North Sea during you lunch break along the beach. Today's destination is Alkmaar, a famous cheese town with a historic city center perfect for shopping and exploring the harbour, canals, and other heritage sites.
Overnight in Alkmaar.

Day 3: Cycle Alkmaar – Den Helder | Cruise to Texel (37 miles/60 km)
Today’s route takes you north. Entering the area of the Schoorlse Duinen (Schoorl Dunes), you'll find the highest dunes in the country! Thanks to the planting of many pine trees during the last century, the area is now pleasantly wooded, adding to the picturesque quality of the scenery.

You'll bike on to Bergen, an artists’ village which attracts many painters, writers and architects. You'll pass by the unique nature reserve known as Het Zwanenwater (The Swans’ Water), with its lakes and boggy hollows. A little further on, you'll cycle on the Hondsbossche Zeewering (Hondsbossche Sea Dike), with a spectacular view of the North Sea.

You will rejoin the boat in the city of Den Helder, the Dutch naval port, situated at the mouth of the Noord-Hollandskanaal. From here, the boat cruises to today's destination of Texel. The largest of the Wadden islands, Texel boast diverse flora and fauna.
Overnight in Texel.

Day 4: Texel loop tour (22, 30, or 39 miles/35, 48, or 62 km)
The isle of Texel, which is one municipality, is the largest of the Dutch Waddeneilanden (Wadden islands), at 20 km long and 8 km wide. Texel is highly appreciated by bird-watchers since, during springtime, around 80 different species of bird breed on the island, mainly in the dune areas. In total, Texel visitors and inhabitants have reported sightings of around 300 different bird species! You'll find that a tour around this island, following its numerous cycle tracks, is well worth the effort.
Overnight in Texel.

Day 5: Cruise to Medemblik | Cycle Medemblik – Enkhuizen, visit Zuiderzeemuseum (22 miles/35 km)
Today starts by crossing the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea to Medemblik. You'll cycle from Medemblik, the oldest city in West-Friesland (1289), which boasts an illustrious past and the commanding Radboud Castle, dating back to the 13th Century. Pass through typical West-Frisian villages of Oostwoud, Twisk and Opperdoes then pedal the nature reserve before ending the cycling along the IJsselmeer dike. Once you arrive in Enkhuizen, you can visit Zuiderzeemuseum and indoor/outdoor museum that shows the history of everyday life in the area during the 20th century.
Overnight in Medemblik.

Day 6: Enkhuizen – Hoorn (19 miles/30 km)
You'll continue on the dike with a wonderful view over the Markermeer on your left and West-Frisian villages on your right-hand side. The recent (1976) dike from Enkhuizen to Lelystad (in the Flevoland Polder) appears on the horizon. This was meant to be a dike for a huge new polder: the Markerwaard. However, the plans were never executed - with time, perception changed, and the environment and fresh water supply became more important. So today, you'll find the dike, but no polder! Today's cycling ends in Hoorn.
Overnight in Hoorn.

Day 7: Cruise to Volendam | Cycle Volendam – Amsterdam (28 miles/45 km)
This morning you'll leave Volendam. The route takes you to the historic village of Monnickendam, which received its municipal charter in 1355. You'll then visit the former isle of Marken, which was not connected by dike to the mainland until 1957, and which retains its own particular character. The inhabitants are the only ones allowed to use their cars, so Marken can only be visited on foot or bike!

You'll finish the day cycling through the rural area of Waterland. In this soggy peat land, the houses and villages are hardly above the level of the water. Cycling through the Waterland, you will reach Amsterdam where you finish you last day of cycling!
Overnight near Amsterdam.

Day 8: Amsterdam
End of tour after breakfast (disembarkation by 10:00 am).

Don't want the trip to end? Add a day tour in Amsterdam to the end of your itinerary! View all of our Amsterdam day tours here.

This program is subject to change without notice.

Photos

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Dates & Prices

Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation on board (including bed linens and towels)
• Breakfast and dinner on board
• Standard bike rental
• Lunch packages when on the road
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide
• Road book (1 per cabin)*
• Ferry fares on the route
• At least 3 city walks with tour guide
• Free Wifi (limited availability in lounge and on deck)
• GPS tracks (upon request)
• Rental bike insurance

*The road book (1 per cabin) includes the detailed itinerary. Although the tour is guided, if you wish to cycle any of the days on your own, you may request the GPS tracks to assist you with navigation.

Note: special wishes concerning meals as dietary or vegetarian food can be provided upon request. Extra fees may apply. Please inform us when booking your tour.

Tour Company

Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Surface and terrain

The terrain for the tour is mostly flat with occasional, moderate hills. The tour follows a leisurely pace.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Nearest train stations: Centraal Station

There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 16 minutes. The price for a train ticket Schiphol Amsterdam is €5 per person for a single journey.

A taxi from Schiphol Amsterdam Airport to the barge in Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes. It costs about €50. A taxi from the Central Train Station in Amsterdam to the barge takes about 5 minutes: Costs about €10.

Tips on getting to and from your tour