Holland by bike from Amsterdam - star-shaped stay

Amsterdam and its surroundings: Holland by bike

Looking for fresh air, gentle adventure and cultural encounters? This cycling holiday around Amsterdam and its surroundings is the perfect choice.

Wander along picturesque canals, visit traditional fishing villages and ride through peaceful green landscapes. Discover historic ports, medieval castles and remarkable fortresses. And of course, no visit to Holland would be complete without the sight of its famous windmills, enduring symbols of Dutch ingenuity. Each day brings new scenery and an unmistakable sense of escape.

Trip Highlights:

• Amsterdam
• The open-air museum of Zaanse Schans and its windmills
• Muiden and its castle
• The picturesque villages north of Amsterdam: Edam, Volendam and Marken
• Haarlem, the "Beauty of Holland"

Note: You will be provided with four suggested cycling routes. Feel free to choose the ones you like and complete them in any order.

Day 1: Amsterdam
Settle into the Dutch capital and take some time to get your bearings. After checking in at your hotel, wander through the historic centre, relax in one of the city’s many parks, or explore the Museum Quarter. Amsterdam is known for its canals and distinctive architecture and offers a lively atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

Day 2: Volendam loop (61 km) or Haarlem loop (46 km

Head towards the former shoreline of the Zuiderzee. Visit the enchanting villages of Marken, Volendam and Edam (extra loop of 8 km). Marken and Volendam were once fishing harbours, while Edam is famous worldwide for its cheese. The route unfolds through postcard-perfect scenery.

Shorter option: Cycle to Haarlem (46 km), an elegant and cultural city with excellent museums.

Day 3: Muiden loop (56 km / 63 km to the castle)

Today’s ride takes you to Muiden, situated at the mouth of the River Vecht. The village is charming, but it is the splendid 13th-century Muiderslot Castle that truly captures the imagination. On your way, make a stop in Ouderkerk to discover a typical Dutch village with its historic streets. Then continue to Abcoude, a charming village that inspired the famous painter Piet Mondriaan, who painted its windmill more than twenty times.

Day 4: Zaandam loop (45 km)
Cycle through the Zaan area, one of the earliest industrial regions powered entirely by wind. Here, traditional mills once helped build the great merchant ships of Amsterdam’s Golden Age. Visit Zaanse Schans to see impressive windmills still producing mustard, paint and oil today. 

Day 5: Amsterdam

Your holiday concludes after breakfast. If you have time, we highly recommend a canal cruise before you leave. Additional nights in Amsterdam are available on request.

General information:

• 5 days and 4 nights
• Standard version : 3* hotel
• Comfort version: 4* hotel
• The hotel in Amsterdam is slightly outside the city centre
• Child rates: on request

2026 Dates:

Departures daily from April 1 to September 27

• Low season: If departures are on a Monday, Tuesday, or Sunday
• High season: If departures are on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday

A supplement of €48 per person per night applies if your stay in Amsterdam includes any of the following dates:

• April 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, and 27
• May 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, and 24

Included:

• 4 nights' accomodation with breakfasts
• Tourist taxes
• Access to a GPS App
• Telephone assistance 7/7

Not included:

• Transport to the departure point
• Personal expenses
• Lunches and dinners
• Drinks
• Parking fees
• Entrance fees for visits
• Anything not listed under “Included”

Options:

• Standard bike or ebike
• Helmet rental
• Additional night(s) in Amsterdam
• Theft guarantee for rented bikes
• Cancellation insurance

Difficulty level:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain:

Flat, very smooth roads and paths, mainly on tracks cycling.

Climate:

Contrary to popular belief, the temperature in the Netherlands is similar those in France. Near the coast, the climate is sometimes windy.

Technical details:

45 to 63 km per day, or about 4 to 6 hours of cycling.
Easy route to follow. No difficulties, accessible to all.

Bibliography :

Guide and maps of the Netherlands on cartovelo.fr

Meals :

• Breakfasts : buffet (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, bread, milk, butter, jam, orange juice)
• Lunches: not included
• Dinners: not included

The bike:

• Rental bike : Standard bike or ebike equipped with one pannier, map holder and a repair kit. Rented bikes will be delivered to your accommodation and have to be leaved there.
• Personal bike : we do not recommend bikes with small tires. Please check your bike before departure. You will be responsible for  your own bike at the end of the tour.

Assistance :

Breakdown assistance available (except for punctures, which are not covered).

Transport:

• By train: Amsterdam train station is 3h30 from Paris
• By plane: Amsterdam international airport.
• By car: Amsterdam is 510 km from Paris, or about 6.5 hours of travel

Cancellation insurance: 
You can purchase cancellation insurance to ensure reimbursement should your trip be cancelled. For further details, click here.