Best of Holland North: Dutch Villages, Landscapes & the Keukenhof
3 nights from €1425
4.88Dutch Delights – Windmills, cheese & beer
During the tulip season (April and beginning of May) your route leads through two areas where tulips and other flowers are grown, and offers the chance to visit the famous Keukenhof flower garden and Hortus Bulborum.
Describe Holland and you’ll immediately picture green meadows, windmills, grazing cattle and the country's famous cheeses. This tour adds in quaint fishing villages, thatched farm houses, a medieval castle, grand town houses, museums packed with Old Master paintings, and delicious beers to make sure you have a wonderful time!
You’ll be riding on the country’s extensive network of safe and scenic cycle paths to Edam, Alkmaar, Haarlem and Leiden. The tour is renowned for offering the most scenic routes. Every night, you will stay in a comfortable hotel right at the heart of one of these historic places, within walking distance of an excellent choice of restaurants for dinner.
Daily departures are available (pending availability) and a tour representative will meet you for a tour briefing and bike fitting before you start cycling. Back-up support is at hand throughout your tour.
During the tulip season (April - mid May) your route will lead through the blooming tulip fields and offers you the chance to visit the famous Keukenhof flower garden!
Holland is better by bike!
“We combined this tour with the Best of Holland South tour (Canals, Windmills, and Historic Towns), starting in Utrecht and ending in Amersfoort, The owners of Tulip Cycling, Peter…” Full Review
“We combined this tour with the Best of Holland South tour (Canals, Windmills, and Historic Towns), starting in Utrecht and ending in Amersfoort, The owners of Tulip Cycling, Peter Vos and Liesbeth van Vulpen, did a fabulous job arranging charming and centrally located accommodations and providing excellent bikes with spot-on GPS routing. These two tours offered everything (and more) that you expect to see in Holland: windmills, tulips, quaint towns, history, art, architecture. We recommend doing these tours in April when tulip, daffodil and hyacinth fields are at their peak and the Keukenhof is open.” Less
—Julane
Biking through North Holland
“This trip exceeded my expectations! Since most people own and ride bikes, the bike paths in cities and rural areas are extremely well marked and maintained. That, along with the…” Full Review
“This trip exceeded my expectations! Since most people own and ride bikes, the bike paths in cities and rural areas are extremely well marked and maintained. That, along with the flat topography, made this self-guided trip a really enjoyable experience! The training we received when the bikes were delivered to our hotel was thorough and all of our questions were answered. Since we had both a Garmin and printed maps, we managed to find our way most of the time. It was slightly difficult finding the correct route when we started out in the mornings, but people on the street were more than happy to point us in the right direction. The distance covered each day was reasonable and the only difficulty came from the wind. One day we seemed to be riding into the wind no matter which direction we turned!
The cities chosen for this tour were interesting and beautiful. The hotels were excellent, each with helpful staff present. There was always a convenient location for locking our bikes up at night either inside or near the hotel in a safe area. The breakfasts were amazing!!
Loved everything about this trip!!” Less
—Jan53
Beautiful, green Holland
“We combined this tour with Ancient and Medieval Cities of Holland, South and rode this tour in reverse, Leiden to Amersfoort. We were impressed with the route as we skirted the…” Full Review
“We combined this tour with Ancient and Medieval Cities of Holland, South and rode this tour in reverse, Leiden to Amersfoort. We were impressed with the route as we skirted the Amsterdam sprawl. Instead we spent our days cycling through small villages, lovely nature areas, past polders and along scenic canals as we rode from Leiden to Haarlem, Eden, Weesp and finished in Amersfoort. The tour information, equipment and the GPS were perfect and the hotels, especially those in Edam, Weesp and Amersfoort were especially lovely. We were constantly impressed by the fact that bicycles were the major form of transportation.” Less
—Pedalann
Daily Program
Average cycling distance is 28 miles/45 km per day.
Please note that the itinerary begins on a cycling day. We recommend arriving in the Netherlands a few days earlier and booking at least one pre-tour overnight in Amsterdam and/or in picturesque Weesp, where the tour starts. Weesp is 15 minutes from the centre of Amsterdam by train and gives you the best start to your tour.
Day 1: Weesp – Edam
26 miles/42 km+ ferry
Your tour starts this morning with your personal welcome and introduction in Weesp.
Weesp is one of Holland’s hidden gems with grand houses from the 17th and 18th centuries and no less than three windmills. Cycle through the historic centre of this fortified town on your way to the imposing medieval Muiderslot castle. It is situated on the shore of the IJsselmeer lake which used to be open sea when the caste was built.
Your next stop is Marken. Now connected to the mainland by a dike, it was an isolated island until 1957 with characteristic green wooden houses and the traditional costume that is still worn by some locals. Then, take a short ferry ride to the fishing village of Volendam, where you can taste the deliciously prepared fresh catch, and ride to nearby Edam. This picturesque waterside village, famous for its cheese as well as it’s traditional sailing boats, is a great place to stay the night.
Overnight in Edam.
Day 2: Edam – Alkmaar
23 miles/37 km
Cheese is the theme of today. From Edam, you’ll cycle through the Beemster polder, home to dairy farms with majestic antique farm houses, source of the eponymous cheese. You can visit the Nic Jonk sculpture garden, set in verdant green scenery, and in the village of Stompetoren (‘Stubby tower’) you’ll find two more large windmills.
Later, you’ll arrive in the ‘other’ cheese capital of Holland, Alkmaar, which has had weekly cheese markets since the 17th century. Alkmaar played a pivotal role in the Eighty Years War with Spain in the 16th century, which led to the establishment of the Dutch Republic. It boasts hundreds of monumental buildings along it’s ancient canals and another highlight is beer museum ‘De Boom’ where you can taste a great selection of craft beers.
Overnight in Alkmaar.
Day 3: Alkmaar – Haarlem
29 miles/46 km
On your way out of Alkmaar, during tulip season, you will find a patchwork of brightly colored tulip fields. You'll ride through lowland ‘polders’, crossing rives and canals on several small ferries (one operated by yourself manually). The picturesque village of De Rijp has a choice of attractive cafés and restaurants – perfect for a refreshment stop.
One highlight today is the Zaanse Schans. In the Dutch ‘Golden Age’, thousands of windmills here powered saws that processed wood for the shipbuilding and paper industries - you will find quite a few still working. There are also the green-timbered houses that define this region, a historic chocolate and biscuit factory, a cheese farm and clog workshop.
Your final stop today is Haarlem, an elegant town with its historic centre marked by the St. Bavo Church and ‘hofjes’ with neat little alms houses. You’ve definitely earned yourself a delicious craft beer from the Jopen Brewery, housed in the ancient Jopen Church.
Overnight in Haarlem.
Day 4: Haarlem – Leiden
27 miles/ 44 km
Why not take time before you leave Haarlem for the Frans Hals Museum or visit the Corrie ten Boom House, where her family gave refuge to Jewish people in WWII? Cycle through a lovely forest to the coastal village of Zandvoort where you turn onto the scenic bike lane across the rolling sand dunes. Soon, you’ll arrive between the fields where the tulips are grown and, during the tulip season, don’t forget to book a visit to the Keukenhof gardens for its beautifully presented displays.
Finish your tour in another fantastic historic place: Leiden. It is home to the oldest Dutch university, founded in 1575, and even though it’s a lively city nowadays, it treasures its history including the medieval fortifications dating back to the 9th century (‘Burcht van Leiden’), the Botanical gardens, the Lakenhal museum and the impressive city canal ‘Rapenburg’.
A tour representative will be on hand for your personal end-of-tour meeting. There is an easy connection back to Amsterdam, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (20 minutes) or your onward travel in the Netherlands or rest of Europe.
Please note that the itinerary ends on a cycling day. We recommend booking a post-tour overnight in Lieden so you may take some time exploring this beautiful town.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Edam: Restaurant & Hotel De Fortuna
Alkmaar: Grand Hotel
Haarlem: Ambassador City Centre Hotel
Edam: L’Auberge Damhotel
Alkmaar: Boutique Hotel Luttik
Haarlem: Hotel ML
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Touring Bicycle
Your bicycle will be prepared for your arrival, taking into account your gender, height, personal requirements, and your accessory reservation. The rental bikes available are 8-speed multi-geared adult bikes, in both men's and ladies' models, and are manufactured by Koga. Their top-class aluminum standard models are built according to our own critical standards and specifications and are the best rental bikes you will find in Holland. Equipped with:
Gates carbon belt drive system
Shimano internal gear hub (no chain or derailleur)
Index shifter
Reliable front and rear disc brakes
Head and tail lights
Reinforced tyres with reflective stripes
Mudguards
Electric Bicycle
Aluminium E-Bikes from the leading Dutch brand KOGA, featuring:
Bosch mid-drive motor for intuitive, reliable support
Low step-through frame
Comfortable riding position
Gates carbon belt drive system with Shimano internal gear hub (no chain or derailleur)
Index shifter
Front and rear disc brakes
Head and tail lights
Reinforced tyres with reflective stripes
Battery capacity supports a full day of cycling; charging needed only at night
Available in various sizes to suit each rider
Road Bicycle
Giant road bikes designed for performance
Lightweight carbon frames for stiffness and aerodynamic efficiency
Integrated disc brakes for smooth, powerful stopping in all conditions
High-quality Shimano components, including brakes, cassette, and gears
Available with manual shifting or Di2 electronic shifting
Children’s Bicycles and Accessories
A wide range of bikes and trailers are available and suitable for children of all ages.
| Bike Assortment | Age |
| Child trailer | 1-3 years |
| Child seat | 2-4 years |
| Trailer bike/tag along | 4-6 years |
| Follow me | 7-8 years |
| Child tandem | 3-8 years |
| 20" child bike | 7-8 years |
| 24 " child bike | 8-11 years |
| 26 " child bike | 11-13 years |
Accessories
Included with the bike rental:
- A toolkit
- Tire repair kit
- Mini-pump
- Cable-lock
- Water bottle
- Breakdown assistance
Additional equipment available upon request for an additional charge:
- Helmet
- Poncho
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are not mandatory on this tour, but available upon request for an additional charge. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
Surface and terrain
This tour is easy cycling in mostly flat terrain with distances up to 27 miles (45 km). Approximately 35% of the tour is on dedicated bicycle paths, 35% on on roads shared with traffic, and 30% on quiet roads. The maximum daily elevation gain for this tour is 164 feet (50 m), with a 3% maximum grade percentage. This tour is appropriate for standard bikes.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schipol Airport, Holland
Nearest train station: Weesp, Holland
Tour end
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schipol Airport, Holland
Nearest train station: Leiden, Holland
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Reviews
- ★★★★★ Bill H.
Positive Experience, with a bit of extra effort
The e-bikes provided were top of the line, with the appropriate accessories of bags and locks. (We were glad we booked e-bikes because, while the landscape is flat, we needed the power to overcome the sustained winds in the North.) Orientation was clear and friendly, with a great local person. All of our bags transferred seamlessly throughout the trip. Three of the four boutique hotels booked for us were well-styled - but those three did not have elevators.
The tour route provided via Ride with GPS was fine but without customization or annotation to reflect the interests we had expressed. A separate and limited list of potential sites along the way was provided, but none of them were identified on RwGPS, so we relied primarily on our own research to enrich the route with stops and side visits that added value.
Perhaps the biggest issue was that we had a tough time trying to meet the 3pm bike return on the last day - and were ultimately a little late and under pressure. We typically needed until 6pm each day to enjoy the sites along the way and would recommend that the last day be scheduled as a full day before bike returns.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- None.
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ David Doehr
Holland is Bike-Centric!!!
Holland was a wonderful tour, and here is specifically why:
The entire country is bike-centric - which means everyone (in cars) yields to bikes,
The bike lanes are impeccable in quality,
Our bikes (rented from Tulip Tours) were outstanding 8-speed, belt drive, touring bikes (best yet out of 4 European tours I have done),
Hotels were all 4/3 star in quality - no losers in the entire route (sometimes there are),
Dutch prefer to speak English if you don't know Dutch, so there is no issue if you don't speak Dutch,
Pieter, from Tulip Tours, did an outstanding set-up and send-off with us (spent over an hour putting on our pedals, making sure we had our equipment setup properly, and then he went thru the Garmin device in detail, as well as showed us all of the printed dailies he made for us, and ensured that we had emergency contact numbers etc., (this proved vital as we had two circumstances when we needed help, and it was handled efficiently and effectively in a short (20 minutes) matter of time,
Our routes (programmed into the Garmin) were expertly designed by a cyclist, and included loops that were spectacular (Kroller Mueller National Park), this made each day special,
Landscapes were beautiful, big skies and clouds, at times the winds blew and it rained, but it just made me appreciate the Dutch resolve, as they were all riding bikes in it.
I highly recommend this tour, we capped it with three days in Amsterdam, which allowed us to take in all of the museums (NDSM is a must!) and a Heineken brewery tour which were all delightful.- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- Four European tours of 1 - 2 weeks
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Julane
Holland is better by bike!
We combined this tour with the Best of Holland South tour (Canals, Windmills, and Historic Towns), starting in Utrecht and ending in Amersfoort, The owners of Tulip Cycling, Peter Vos and Liesbeth van Vulpen, did a fabulous job arranging charming and centrally located accommodations and providing excellent bikes with spot-on GPS routing. These two tours offered everything (and more) that you expect to see in Holland: windmills, tulips, quaint towns, history, art, architecture. We recommend doing these tours in April when tulip, daffodil and hyacinth fields are at their peak and the Keukenhof is open.
- What was the date of your tour?
- April, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 20+
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ ManOnThreeWheels
Excellent Tour and Very Good Service
Bike Tours personnel provided prompt and courteous service from the start to the conclusion of the tour selection and booking.
Recommend
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 19 to 23
- How many tours have you completed?
- Many
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- ★★★★★ Jan53
Biking through North Holland
This trip exceeded my expectations! Since most people own and ride bikes, the bike paths in cities and rural areas are extremely well marked and maintained. That, along with the flat topography, made this self-guided trip a really enjoyable experience! The training we received when the bikes were delivered to our hotel was thorough and all of our questions were answered. Since we had both a Garmin and printed maps, we managed to find our way most of the time. It was slightly difficult finding the correct route when we started out in the mornings, but people on the street were more than happy to point us in the right direction. The distance covered each day was reasonable and the only difficulty came from the wind. One day we seemed to be riding into the wind no matter which direction we turned!
The cities chosen for this tour were interesting and beautiful. The hotels were excellent, each with helpful staff present. There was always a convenient location for locking our bikes up at night either inside or near the hotel in a safe area. The breakfasts were amazing!!
Loved everything about this trip!!
- What was the date of your tour?
- 4/18/19
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Gretchen
Wonderful trip!
A great way to see the Netherlands -- 40-50k per day was very doable, landscape and towns lovely, and the hotels were all very cozy and comfortable. Would highly recommend it, and will be doing another one for sure!
- What was the date of your tour?
- end of July
- How many tours have you completed?
- only this once
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ DebM
Beautiful ride through Dutch countryside
The local tour company designed a beautiful and varied route through nature preserves, parks, farmland, and old and picturesque towns. Each inn was delightful in its own way. I rated this harder than expected only because we had extremely windy weather.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Late June
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2 on our own, 30+ years ago
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Pedalann
Beautiful, green Holland
We combined this tour with Ancient and Medieval Cities of Holland, South and rode this tour in reverse, Leiden to Amersfoort. We were impressed with the route as we skirted the Amsterdam sprawl. Instead we spent our days cycling through small villages, lovely nature areas, past polders and along scenic canals as we rode from Leiden to Haarlem, Eden, Weesp and finished in Amersfoort. The tour information, equipment and the GPS were perfect and the hotels, especially those in Edam, Weesp and Amersfoort were especially lovely. We were constantly impressed by the fact that bicycles were the major form of transportation.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 22 - 27, 2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- More than 15 of this type
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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