IJsselmeer Explorer

The Dutch transformed the once wild and unpredictable Zuiderzee into the calm and scenic IJsselmeer by building a protective dam to separate it from the North Sea. Today, the IJsselmeer is a serene expanse of water, ideal for sailing, kite surfing, and windsurfing, while still retaining the allure of the open sea.

The surrounding region, with its predominantly flat terrain, is ideal for cycling holidays. This landscape offers excellent conditions for cyclists of all levels, making it one of the top destinations for cycling tours in the Netherlands.

A circular cycling route around the IJsselmeer takes you through stunning national parks, home to rare wildlife and unique plant species. Along the way, you’ll pass through charming fishing villages and historic towns that once thrived as commercial hubs during the Dutch Golden Age.

On this route, you will also visit Amsterdam, where you can enjoy the city’s vibrant cultural scene and its iconic canals, reflecting the same waterside charm that defines the IJsselmeer region.

With well-maintained cycling paths, scenic landscapes and rich cultural heritage, the IJsselmeer area offers perfect conditions for an unforgettable cycling holiday in the Netherlands.

2027 launch offer: £50 per person off all 2027 departure dates!

8 days

Difficulty: Leisurely

From £979 P/P

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Itinerary

Route overview

What’s included

Photos

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Itinerary

Individual arrival in Harderwijk. If you have booked rental bikes, they will be available in the hotel garage. Take some time to explore this medieval Hanseatic city. A walk through the town will almost inevitably lead you past the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk), a basilica featuring a three-part elevation dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

Look forward to exploring Arkemheen-Eemland National Park, a vast, flat landscape known for its unique vegetation and wide open skies. Black-tailed godwits can often be seen strutting across the moorland, adding to the area’s natural charm.

You will cycle along the banks of the Randmeren lakes towards Huizen, a twin village on the Eemmeer, home to a fascinating museum dedicated to traditional costumes and fishing heritage.

Continue on to Naarden, a stunning town in the green heart of the Gooi region. Naarden is one of the best-preserved fortress towns in Europe and played a key role in the New Dutch Waterline, an ingenious defensive system that still impresses visitors today.

There’s so much to see and do in Amsterdam! Be sure to get an early start. Have you visited the Gallery of Honour at the Rijksmuseum since its renovation? Why not pop in for a quick look before hopping back on your bike and heading out into the peaceful countryside? Waterland awaits, with its wet meadows, wooden bridges, and windswept reeds and rushes. The Waterlandsmuseum “De Speelklok”, in the charming village of Monnickendam, offers an explanation (in English) of the history of this unique cultural landscape.

From there, cycle along the shore of Lake Markermeer to the welcoming town of Volendam. The quaint stone houses in the distinctive centre of this Catholic fishing village appear to have been built without a formal street plan. “De Dijk”, overlooking the harbour, is lined with souvenir shops, pavement cafés and restaurants. Just around the corner lies the picturesque village of Edam.

For centuries, small, round, salty cheeses produced by dairy farmers in the surrounding polders were shipped from Edam and exported across Europe. For six weeks during the summer, a traditional cheese market is held on Wednesday mornings (10:30–12:30), run by local volunteers as a tourist attraction.

By the end of the day, you’ll arrive in the beautiful historic town of Hoorn. Like Enkhuizen (see Day 4), it has a rich heritage in whaling, shipbuilding, fishing, and, of course, maritime trade. Both towns once hosted branches (“chambers”) of the Dutch East India Company, along with Delft, Middelburg, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam.

After just a few kilometres, you’ll reach the traditional Dutch town of Monnickendam, a true water town with historic charm. From there, enjoy a leisurely cycle along the shores of the IJsselmeer towards Volendam, Katwoude or Hoorn.

Take your time and stop off in the picturesque fishing villages along the way, each with a rich history as once-thriving trading towns. Volendam is especially well known for its traditional costumes and is said to be the home of delicious smoked eel—perfect for a tasty break during your ride.

In Edam, you’ll quickly discover that the town offers much more than its world-famous cheese. From there, continue on to Hoorn, a charming town that is something of a shopper’s paradise, with plenty of inviting terrace cafés and restaurants where you can relax and unwind.

Next, make your way to the picturesque town of Enkhuizen, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. Some come for its wealth of historic buildings and monuments, while others are drawn by the lively harbour and excellent water sports facilities.

Take a stroll through the town and be sure to visit the Zuiderzeemuseum, where a recreated historic Zuiderzee village offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s maritime past.

Take a ferry across the IJsselmeer (ticket not included) and disembark in Stavoren, the oldest of the eleven Frisian cities in the Netherlands. Enjoy the nostalgic charm of this historic town before continuing your journey.

You’ll cycle through the gently rolling, wooded landscape of Gaasterland, known for its rare cliffs—unusual in the otherwise flat Netherlands. Your route leads to Lemmer or its surrounding area. The lively town centre, with its waterfront terraces, cosy cafés and attractions such as the historic lock, reflects the vibrant local spirit and love of life by the water.

You’ll cycle through the stunning landscapes of De Weerribben National Park. This unique peat bog area, crisscrossed by a network of canals, is not only a favourite among canoeists but also home to a wide range of rare plants and animals.

One of the highlights along the route is Blokzijl, with its beautifully preserved historic harbour—now a protected heritage site. Nearby lies the De Wieden nature reserve, which borders the Weerribben. Together, these two areas form the largest continuous lowland peat bog in Western Europe.

Continue on to Zwartsluis (meaning ‘Black Lock’), which became an important transit port for peat in the 18th century. From there, make your way to Kampen, a city with a rich maritime and trading history that dates back centuries. This former Hanseatic city boasts over 500 listed monuments, including the Sint Nicolaaskerk, the Gothic House, the impressive city gates and a full-scale replica of the medieval merchant ship De Kamper Hanze Kogge.

Cycling along the dam, you arrive in Elburg, a charming historic town. Traditional sailing ships, known as botters, once used for fishing, are still moored in the harbour, offering a glimpse into the town’s maritime past.

Continuing your journey along the Veluwemeer, you return to your starting point in Harderwijk. Here, your individual return journey begins, or you may choose to extend your stay and enjoy more of this beautiful region.

There is no additional night here, so please ensure that you book onward travel for the early evening or later. Additional nights on request.

Arrival: Harderwijk

Departure: Harderwijk

Nearest arrival airport(s): Amsterdam Schiphol

Nearest departure airport(s): Amsterdam Schiphol

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

Route overview

Starting point: Harderwijk

End point: Harderwijk

Total cycling distance: approx. 346 km

Difficulty: Easy

The path quality is excellent. In Holland, there is a two-lane paved bike path along almost every street.

Bike hire options

This cycling holiday benefits from high-quality bike hire options that have been carefully selected for the tour. Each well-maintained bike has modern V-brakes, aluminium wheels and puncture-proof tyres based around a Velo-de-Ville frame. Dynamo lights, small panniers, repair accessories, a handlebar bag and a comfortable saddle ensure that you have everything you need for an enjoyable cycle tour. Rental bike insurance is included in every booking.

Standard Unisex Bike 21/24-gears
Sizes: S / M / L

Rental Bike PLUS 30-gears
Rental Bike PLUS is designed for a slightly sportier sitting position, and finely tuned Shimano Deore XT gears offer excellent riding flexibility. The Velo de Ville aluminium frame has a high-quality Suntour suspension fork, Shimano disc brakes and 28″ puncture-proof tyres.
Sizes: S / M / L

Unisex Electric Bike
The Velo de Ville electric bikes available on this tour assist up to 25 km/h whilst pedalling. The Bosch pedalec motor is in the bottom bracket of the frame and the detachable batteries last for approximately 120 km. Each bike has an illuminated LCD and 8-speed Shimano Nexus internal hub gears. They weigh 23 kg and have a freewheel brake. Only limited numbers are available.
Sizes: S / M / L

Route Map

What’s included

7 nights in 3* and 4* hotels
Breakfast
Digital welcome briefing (German, English)
Carefully elaborated route
Detailed travel documents incl. maps, 1 x per room (German, English, French)
Navigation App and GPS-tracks
Luggage transport
Insurance for a rental bike
7-day service hotline

Not included

Travel to/from the start and finish (Flights/Trains)
Evening meals (unless stated)
Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
Helmets (Please bring your own cycle helmet with you)
Water bottles
Rental bike
Travel insurance
Bike insurance (unless stated)
Welcome meetings (unless stated)
Transfers (unless stated)
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £379 PER PERSON
EXTRA NIGHT(S) – Harderwijk: £89 PER PERSON PER NIGHT INC. BREAKFAST

Check Availability

2026/27 Self-Guided cycling holidays

All prices shown are per person, based on sharing a double or twin room, and exclude flights and bike hire.

Special Offer: £50 per person off all 2027 departure dates!

NEW FOR 2027

To make a booking, simply use the filter to select the day of the week on which the tour operates. You’ll then see all available tour dates and prices. No payment is taken at this stage.

For all bookings, we require a 20% deposit, with the final balance due 56 days before arrival. An invoice and online payment link will be generated once the tour has been confirmed.

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