Amsterdam Cycling City Break

If you arrive early, you can explore Amsterdam’s many neighbourhoods by public transport or on foot. Wander through charming shopping streets, visit fascinating museums, relax in lively squares, or enjoy a meal at one of the city’s many restaurants — there’s plenty to fill your day. In the afternoon, head over to the Westcord Amsterdam Art Hotel to start your holiday and collect your bike.

Choose one of our four routes. For instance, take the route to the historic fishing villages of Marken and Volendam, situated along the coast of what was once the Zuiderzee. This journey leads you through truly picturesque countryside.

An additional loop of 8 km will take you to Edam. Be sure to sample the village’s world-famous round, salty polder cheeses. On your return, you’ll cycle through the charming villages of Monnickendam and Broek in Waterland.

Alternatively, you can opt for a shorter tour of 48 km to Monnickendam only, although this route does not include Volendam, Marken or Edam.

Another option is to cycle to the elegant city of Haarlem and back, a distance of 46 kilometres. The city’s attractive centre offers plenty of opportunities for shopping, exploring art and culture, or relaxing in its many cafés and restaurants. An optional extra loop of 13 kilometres takes you to the world’s largest steam-powered pumping station, the Cruquius Steam Pumping Station.

Choose another of our four routes — the route to Muiden Castle, which covers 63 kilometres. Following the River Amstel, you’ll cycle to Ouderkerk. If you’d like to experience a truly ‘Old Dutch’ village, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is highly recommended. Wander through its charming historic streets and be sure to visit the old Jewish cemetery, Beth Haim (‘House of Life’). With around 28,000 graves, this national monument is the oldest Jewish cemetery still in use in the Western world.

Back on your bike, continue towards Abcoude. This idyllic village and its surroundings were a great source of inspiration for the famous painter Piet Mondriaan in his early years — he often cycled here to paint the landscapes. Between 1902 and 1908, he painted the Oostzijdse Molen (windmill) more than twenty times. The windmill still stands today, and you can easily cycle over to see it.

Your journey then continues to Weesp, often referred to as ‘Little Amsterdam’, located along the River Vecht.

Finally, you’ll reach the village of Muiden, at the mouth of the River Vecht. Picturesque in its own right, Muiden is best known for its small moated castle, built around 1280 — a visit that’s well worth your while!

The last of our four routes takes you to Zaandam and back. The area surrounding the River Zaan was among the first to industrialise, thanks to the power of the wind. Hundreds of sawmills, for example, played a major role in building the vast shipping fleet that brought prosperity to Amsterdam.

This is a wonderful route for anyone with an interest in industrial heritage. Alongside the river you’ll find charming old factories and warehouses, as well as the beautiful windmills of the Zaanse Schans, which still produce mustard, paint and oil to this day.

As the sun sets and you return to Amsterdam, why not take a stroll through the romantic canal district?

Departure from Amsterdam or spend extra nights in the city or the surrounding region.

Arrival: Amsterdam (Westcord Art Hotel, Amsterdam)

Departure: Amsterdam (Westcord Art Hotel, Amsterdam)

Nearest arrival airport(s): Amsterdam Schiphol or Eindhoven

Nearest departure airport(s): Amsterdam Schiphol or Eindhoven

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Amsterdam by rail.

Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request. Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.