Bike Tours in the Netherlands: The Best and the Rest

The Netherlands is renowned for its flat landscapes, picturesque canals, and an extensive network of cycling paths. With cycling being a way of life for the Dutch, the country is a top destination for bike tours, attracting visitors eager to experience its scenic countryside, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage from the saddle of a bicycle. Whether you’re a casual rider or a cycling enthusiast, the Netherlands offers a range of bike tours to suit every taste and ability.

Why Choose the Netherlands for a Bike Tour?

• Flat Terrain: The country’s generally flat landscape makes cycling accessible for people of all fitness levels.
• Extensive Cycling Infrastructure: With over 35,000 kilometres of dedicated bike paths, navigating the Netherlands by bike is safe and convenient.
• Scenic Routes: From tulip fields and windmills to historic towns and modern cities, there’s a diversity of scenery to enjoy.
• Bike-Friendly Culture: Cyclists are given priority on the roads, and bike rental shops are abundant throughout the country.
• The Food Scene: Dutch cuisine is hearty and comforting, with a focus on simple, locally sourced ingredients. Classic dishes include stroopwafels (caramel syrup waffles), bitterballen (deep-fried meat snacks), and stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables and sausage). Cheese markets in towns like Gouda and Alkmaar are a must-see, and seafood such as raw herring is a beloved delicacy. The food scene also embraces global influences, with Indonesian-Dutch fusion (like rijsttafel) and a growing plant-based movement adding to the country’s culinary diversity.

The Best Bike Routes in the Netherlands

Amsterdam to Bruges: The Classic Canal Route

• This iconic tour takes you from the heart of the Netherlands to the charming Belgian city of Bruges. Along the way, you’ll pedal through scenic countryside, picturesque villages, and along historic canals. Highlights include the cheese markets of Gouda, the ancient windmills of Kinderdijk, and the medieval architecture of Bruges.

Keukenhof Tulip Tour

• Every spring, the region around Lisse bursts into colour with millions of tulips in bloom. This tour is timed to coincide with the flower season (late March to mid-May), and it’s an absolute must for flower lovers. The route includes visits to the famed Keukenhof Gardens and the surrounding bulb fields.

Friesland’s Eleven Cities Tour (Elfstedentocht)

• Based on the famous ice-skating event, this challenging tour covers over 200 kilometres through the eleven historic cities of Friesland. Cyclists pass by lakes, canals, and charming Frisian towns—a fantastic way to experience Dutch tradition and natural beauty.

Hoge Veluwe National Park Tour

• For those keen on nature and art, this tour explores the forests, heathlands, and sand dunes of the Hoge Veluwe National Park. The park offers free white bikes for visitors, and highlights include the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to an extensive collection of Van Gogh paintings.

North Sea Coastal Route

• Cycle along the windswept dunes and sandy beaches of the Dutch coast, from the lively city of The Hague to the northern province of Friesland. This route is perfect for those who enjoy seaside views, fresh seafood, and charming coastal villages.

The Rest: Other Noteworthy Bike Routes

• Utrecht Countryside Loop: Discover the quiet beauty of Utrecht’s surrounding villages, castles, and waterways on a relaxed day tour.
• Rotterdam and the Delta Works: Explore modern architecture, innovative flood defences, and scenic rivers on this urban and coastal ride.
• Maastricht and the Limburg Hills: For those looking for a challenge, the rolling hills of Limburg offer a taste of the Netherlands’ more rugged terrain.
• Giethoorn and the Weerribben: Pedal through the 'Venice of the North', a village with no roads, only canals, and explore the tranquil Weerribben-Wieden National Park.

Tips for Planning Your Dutch Bike Tour

• Best Time to Visit: The cycling season runs from April to October, with spring (for flowers) and early autumn offering the most pleasant weather.
• Navigation: The Netherlands uses a handy “knooppunten” (junction) system for cycling routes, making it easy to customise your journey.
• Local Etiquette: Always keep right on bike paths, signal your turns, and use a bell to alert pedestrians.
• Currency is the euro with credit cards being widely accepted..
• Join one of the amazing bike tours below to make the most of your limited time

♢♢♢

With its cycling-friendly culture, beautiful landscapes, and well-maintained infrastructure, the Netherlands is a cyclist’s paradise. Whether you’re after a leisurely ride through tulip fields or a multi-day adventure along historic canals and coastal dunes, there’s a bike tour to match every interest and ability. So, grab your helmet, hop on a bike, and discover the best -and the rest - of what the Netherlands has to offer on two wheels.

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From the Editor:

My recommendations:

• Do it the Dutch way - on a bike and barge tour. Combine the two best ways to travel around the country using the extensive network of canals and bike paths.
• Explore the Netherlands by Bike During Tulip Season

More than 140 Bike Tours in the Netherlands that you can do

The bike tours listed below are not ranked in order but the results are heavily weighted towards tours or operators that I can vouch for and can be confident of having a successful (if not amazing!) trip where you are looked after at least as well as the listing implies. You can also use the filters to reduce the list (e.g. by guided tours, family tours, easy tours or many more).