Beaches, historic cities and castles: Holland by bike with the family
Get on your bike and let yourself be seduced by the gentle Dutch atmosphere: its canals lined with colorful houses, its wild dunes watching over the North Sea and its picturesque villages bathed in history. From Haarlem to Amsterdam, you will ride through unforgettable landscapes, punctuated by emblematic windmills, medieval castles and golden beaches. Take pretty cycle paths to discover flowery parks, authentic open-air museums and ancestral traditions. This is the perfect escape for a cycling holiday, between culture, nature and gourmet pleasures.
Points of interest during the stay:
- Haarlem, the "Beautiful of Holland"
- Amsterdam
- The open-air museum of Zaanse Schans
- The beaches of the North Sea
- Village of Heemskerk
Note: This tour is in hostels (rooms with bunk beds only) and fills up quickly. We advise you to book quickly if you are interested.
Day 1: Haarlem
Check into your hotel located in the north of the city, right next to the pretty Schoterbos park. The historic city center, absolutely charming, is just a few pedal strokes away. While walking around is very pleasant, it is also an opportunity to visit interesting museums: the Archaeology Museum (free), the Teylers Museum dedicated to Science for young and old or the imposing De Adriaan windmill which watches over the river in the heart of the city.
Overnight in Haarlem
Day 2: Loop to Overveen, Zandvoort and Bloemendaal (33 km)
The first bike ride takes you to the coast. A large part of this region of Holland is located below sea level. Only natural sand dunes and polders protect the land from potential flooding. As soon as you see dunes, you know that the sea is not far away. This is the opportunity to go and collect pretty shells, observe the crabs and marine fauna or make beautiful sandcastles! Possibility of doing a shorter loop (18 km) around the beautiful city of Haarlem.
Overnight in Haarlem
Day 3: from Haarlem to Heemskerk (31 km)
Today's destination is Heemskerk, a surprising medieval city with its Assumburg castle dating from the 13th century. The accommodation, surrounded by moats and gardens, blends in very well with the scenery and will give a nice feeling of traveling back in time.
Overnight in Heeskerk
Day 4: Noorddorp loop, Castricum aan Zee and Castricum (33 km)
Another beautiful day of cycling in perspective along the coast. The stage is relatively short, you will have time to enjoy the beaches to relax. Possibility of a longer route (45 km) to Egmond aan Zee, a pretty coastal village with its charming white lighthouse.
Overnight in Heemskerk
Day 5: from Heemskerk to Amsterdam (45 km)
Cycle in the Zaan valley, famous for its villages with traditional architecture: sheds, wooden houses and wooden and green-painted mills! The most beautiful example is in Zaanse Schans, a real open-air museum. Take a break to soak up the nostalgic and authentic atmosphere. This is an opportunity for young and old to learn more about ancestral know-how: cheese factories, wooden clogs... or gimp in an authentic shaking and creaking windmill!
The route continues through Het Twisky, a wooded recreation area offering sports activities on and off the water, before arriving in Amsterdam.
Overnight in Amsterdam
Day 6: Exploring Amsterdam
The historic center of Amsterdam is magnificent. But the other neighborhoods also offer a diversity of architecture, culture and parks. The Vondelpark, for example, is a must-see. Continue your stroll to the Museumplein, a smaller park, then in the pretty P.C. Hooftstraat, certainly the most prestigious street in Amsterdam with its many luxury boutiques. If you prefer a maritime atmosphere, head to the Oosterdok where an authentic replica of a 17th century ship, "The Amsterdam", is moored. You can even visit the ship via the National Maritime Museum.
Overnight in Amsterdam
Day 7: Amsterdam to Haarlem (27 km)
Leave the city behind and head back to the peace and quiet of the countryside. The picturesque village of Spaarndam was built on a dam where the Spaarne River used to flow into the sea. Today, the sea is further away and the Dutch have reclaimed a lot of land from the sea or marshy areas through rigorous water management. The journey continues to the Kolksluis lock, considered the oldest lock in Europe (1280)! Return to Haarlem, the "beautiful of Holland".
Overnight in Haarlem
Day 8: Haarlem
Your stay ends after breakfast.
