The Netherlands Bicycle Tour

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMME

Day 1: Arrival in Amersfoort

Amersfoort is a charming town where the past is still very much alive thanks to its many historic buildings. Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the medieval centre and admire its impressive city walls.

Day 2: Amersfoort – Amsterdam

65 km | +60 m | ⏱︎ 3h48

Before reaching bustling Amsterdam, you will discover Naarden-Vesting, one of the best-preserved star-shaped fortresses in Europe, whose perfectly intact ramparts testify to Dutch military ingenuity. The route briefly follows the Markermeer, a lake that was once part of the Zuiderzee before being reclaimed by the Dutch in the 20^th century.

You then arrive in Amsterdam, a lively capital where boredom has no place. Be charmed by its concentric canals, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which give the city its elegant layout and its nickname as the “Venice of the North”, a title it shares with Bruges. Amsterdam also boasts exceptional cultural wealth, with world-famous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum – home to the largest collection of the artist’s work – and the moving Anne Frank House, a poignant reminder of the Second World War.

Day 3: Amsterdam – Noordwijk

60 km | +110 m | ⏱︎ 3h41

You first reach Haarlem, an elegant town known for its hofjes – peaceful inner courtyards surrounded by small houses that once served as almshouses for widows and the elderly, funded by wealthy merchants in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Art lovers should not miss the Frans Hals Museum, housed in a former almshouse and featuring an outstanding collection by the master portrait painter of the Dutch Golden Age.

After Haarlem, head towards the famous Keukenhof, a spectacular botanical garden renowned worldwide. During the tulip season (from April to early May), a visit is simply unmissable, as millions of bulbs burst into a dazzling kaleidoscope of colours. You then follow the North Sea coast on a scenic ride through wild dunes, between fine sand and maritime vegetation.

Day 4: Noordwijk – Delft

51 km | +50 m | ⏱︎ 3h08

You continue to feast your eyes today! First, you pass through Leiden, a prestigious university city founded in 1575, which counted illustrious figures such as Rembrandt and René Descartes among its students. Its rich heritage unfolds along canals lined with patrician houses, while culture lovers can explore the National Museum of Ethnology or admire the majestic Pieterskerk (St Peter’s Church).

After Leiden, enjoy a seaside break in Scheveningen, the lively seaside resort of The Hague, with its long sandy beach and famous pier. You then reach The Hague (Den Haag), seat of the Dutch government. Far more than an administrative capital, the city charms visitors with its royal elegance: admire the Catshuis (the Prime Minister’s residence), Noordeinde Palace, the King’s working palace, or the Mauritshuis, home to masterpieces by Vermeer and Rembrandt, including the famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. Wander through the historic city centre and its tranquil canals.

You then arrive in Delft, another historic university town and one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Its well-preserved historic centre reflects its prosperous mercantile past, with many impressive buildings.

Day 5: Delft – Papendrecht

46 km | +40 m | ⏱︎ 2h46

You first reach Rotterdam, a city with a unique destiny. Completely rebuilt after the devastating bombings of the Second World War, it reinvented itself as a bold architectural laboratory, with landmarks such as the Cube Houses and the Markthal adorned with giant murals.

You then cycle along Kinderdijk, a site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and probably the most iconic location in the Netherlands. Its 19 windmills aligned along picturesque canals form a breathtaking scene, a perfect symbol of the centuries-old Dutch struggle against water.

Day 6: Papendrecht – Utrecht

62 km | +50 m | ⏱︎ 3h35

Your journey through Holland continues via Schoonhoven, a romantic little town on the banks of the Lek River. In the surrounding countryside, farmers raise dairy cows to produce the famous Gouda cheese.

You then cycle through pastoral landscapes towards Utrecht, the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands. Its historic centre is renowned for its unique two-level canals, lined with vaulted cellars converted into cafés and terraces, and for St Martin’s Cathedral, whose tower dominates the city skyline.

Day 7: Utrecht – Amersfoort

46 km | +80 m | ⏱︎ 2h50

The final stage before completing the loop! This is the perfect moment to capture the typical panoramas of this region known as the “Green Heart of Holland”, with its vast pastures dotted with grazing cows. As the stage is relatively short, you will have plenty of time to further explore Utrecht and Amersfoort and their charming medieval centres.

Day 8: End of the trip

End of your Dutch odyssey after breakfast.

ACCOMMODATION

AVAILABLE COMFORT CATEGORY(IES)

Photo provided as an example to illustrate the type of accommodation in this comfort category.

Always included:

• Breakfast
• Private bathroom
• Bike storage
• Restaurant(s) within walking distance
• Well-located accommodation

BIKE OPTIONS

Whether you choose to hire a bike or bring your own, it is essential to have a bike that is both suited to the route and adapted to your personal needs.

BIKE HIRE

We offer good-quality trekking bikes and/or electric bikes, fully equipped with all essential accessories. Child equipment is also available. However, we do not recommend this trip for children under 12, as some stages exceed 50 km.

Photos for information only. Bikes subject to availability.

Included accessories:

• Waterproof rear pannier (1 per bike)
• Lock
• Repair kit with pump
• Cycle computer

• Helmet
• Smartphone holder

IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN BIKE

Before departure, carefully check the condition of your bike: brakes, tyres, gears, derailleur, chain…
In the event of a mechanical issue, you may be far from assistance!

Which bikes are suitable?

Any type of bike is suitable, as the route is fully asphalted. Mountain bikes are, however, less aerodynamic.

• Hybrid bike
• Mountain bike
• Gravel bike
• E-bike
• Road bike
• City bike

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Our tours prioritise discovery and relaxation over physical effort.
Stage lengths are adjusted according to points of interest along the way, so that each day remains balanced, enjoyable and open to the unexpected.

STAGE LENGTH: STANDARD ℹ️ ➡️ Overall average of 40 to 60 km/day

➡️ Around 3 to 4 hours of cycling per day – max. 5

➡️ A pace suitable for most people, combining cycling enjoyment with discoveries along the way.

While some stages may appear quite long at first glance, the completely flat route means the kilometres pass by effortlessly.

ELEVATION: GENTLE ℹ️ ➡️ Overall average elevation gain: less than 200 m per day

➡️ The route is generally very flat and accessible to everyone. Depending on the destination, a few gentle slopes may occur but should not be an obstacle, even without training.

This part of the Netherlands lies almost entirely below sea level: the only elevation you’ll encounter is on the hotel stairs!

TYPE OF ROUTES:

The route mostly follows cycle paths. The remainder consists of quiet country roads. Nearly 100% of the route is asphalted.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

⏱️ DURATION

8 days and 7 nights, including arrival and departure days. 6 days of cycling.

📅 POSSIBLE DEPARTURE DAYS

Departures take place on Sundays. The first cycling day is therefore a Monday.
From end of June to mid-August, departures are also available on some Saturdays (see booking form).

🗺️ TYPE OF ROUTE

Loop route. At the end of the tour, you return to your starting point.

📍 START AND END POINT

Start of the trip: Amersfoort
End of the trip: Amersfoort

🌦️ WHEN TO GO?

The Netherlands has an oceanic climate, meaning conditions are relatively humid. Fortunately, showers are usually short-lived, with rainfall on average only 1 day in 3.

The most pleasant season runs from April to October, although, as elsewhere, heatwaves cannot be ruled out during summer.

🍽️ MEALS

Breakfasts are included.

For lunch, you can eat at local restaurants or enjoy a picnic using supplies from local shops.

For dinner, there will always be one or more restaurants within walking distance of your hotel. If you wish to dine at the hotel restaurant every evening, you may opt for half board.

🧳 LUGGAGE TRANSFER

Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to the next by one of our service providers. You only carry what you need for the day during the cycling stages. A pannier is provided with hired bikes.

🚩 GETTING THERE

BY TRAIN

Intercity (IC) trains serve Amersfoort every 30 minutes from Amsterdam. The journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes.

BY CAR

You can park your car free of charge at the first hotel for the entire duration of your trip. However, it is essential to let us know if you are arriving by car, as travellers arriving by train will be booked into a hotel near the station that does not have parking facilities.

BY PLANE

The most convenient airport is Amsterdam Schiphol. An IC train connects the airport to Amersfoort in under 40 minutes.

📑 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

To ensure you make the most of your adventure, we provide several practical and easy-to-use resources:

• A roadbook in English, produced by our local partner, including:

• Practical information
• A description of the route
• A short description of points of interest along the way



• Our navigation app (with your GPS tracks)

• Easy-to-use app (a short tutorial will be sent if needed)
• Satellite navigation (works in flight mode)
• Customised tracks between each accommodation
• Voice guidance

📞 INDEPENDENCE AND ASSISTANCE

You travel independently (self-guided), with telephone assistance available 7 days a week in case of any issues.

🛡️ INSURANCE

To ensure reimbursement of costs in the event of trip cancellation or issues during your stay, you may take out cancellation insurance (CAP Explorer Cancellation) or assistance insurance (CAP Explorer Assistance). Find out more about insurance options.

🎒 EQUIPMENT TO BRING

If you have hired a bike, the pannier, lock and repair kit are already included (if you are bringing your own bike, don’t forget them!).
For added comfort, we also recommend bringing the following accessories:

2026 PRICES

The price is calculated on the basis of two people sharing a double or twin room. All prices are per person and subject to availability of the requested room type.

THE BASE PRICE INCLUDES

• Overnight stays in 4★ hotels
• Breakfast at each hotel
• Luggage transfer between accommodations
• A roadbook with essential information, produced by our local partner
• GPS route tracks via our navigation app
• Luggage tags
• Telephone assistance 7 days a week
• Tourist taxes
• Booking and handling fees

OPTIONS

• Bike hire
• Single room supplement
• Half board
• Additional night(s) in Amersfoort
• Optional insurance: cancellation and/or assistance
• Bike insurance against theft and damage

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Travel to and from Amersfoort
• Lunches and dinners
• Entrance fees to tourist sites and personal expenses
• Anything not listed under “THE BASE PRICE INCLUDES”

REVIEWS

    Alexandre and Anne-Catherine, aged 52 and 53

"A wonderful experience. The route was superb and the logistics ran smoothly. Highly recommended."   August 2025

    Sophie and Denis, aged 60 and 57

"A cycling tour in the Netherlands combining typical countryside with major Dutch cities. Excellent support from Cyclodyssées before and during the trip. We would happily travel with this company again."   August 2025

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