Beaches, historic cities and castles: Holland by bike with the family
Hop on your bike and soak up the gentle Dutch atmosphere: canals lined with colorful houses, wild dunes watching over the North Sea and picturesque villages steeped in history. From Haarlem to Amsterdam, you will ride through unforgettable landscapes, dotted by iconic windmills, medieval castles and golden beaches. Follow beautiful cycle paths to discover flower-filled parks, charming museums and centuries-old traditions. This is the perfect getaway for a cycling holiday, filled with culture and nature.
Trip Highlights:
- Haarlem, the "Beauty of Holland"
- Amsterdam
- Windmills of Zaanse Schans
- The beaches of the North Sea
- The village of Heemskerk
Note: This tour is in hostels (rooms with bunk beds only) and availability is limited. We advise you to book quickly if you are interested.
Day 1: Haarlem
The charming historic centre is only a few kilometres away. Take time to wander its cobbled streets and visit some of its museums: the free Archaeology Museum, the fascinating Teylers Museum dedicated to science and art for all ages, or the impressive De Adriaan windmill museum standing proudly over the river in the heart of the city.
Overnight in Haarlem
Day 2: Overveen, Zandvoort and Bloemendaal loop (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!
A shorter route (18 km) around beautiful Haarlem is also available.
Overnight in Haarlem
Day 3: From Haarlem to Heemskerk (37 km)
Today’s ride leads you to IJmuiden and its impressive locks, the gateway from the sea to Amsterdam. Watch cargo ships, cruise liners and yachts pass through this remarkable feat of engineering. The route then continues through the dunes to the coastal town of Wijk aan Zee. Your destination, Heemskerk, is a charming medieval town home to Assumburg Castle, dating back to the 13th century. Your accommodation, surrounded by moats and gardens, offers a true sense of stepping back in time.
You can shorten the route (20 km) by skipping the locks and coastline.
Overnight in Heemskerk in the Castle or in the Orangery
Day 4: Noorddorp, Castricum aan Zee, and Castricum Loop (33 km)
Another beautiful day of cycling along the coast. This relatively short stage leaves plenty of time to relax on the beach. If you prefer a longer ride (46 km), head to Egmond aan Zee, a lovely seaside village known for its iconic 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 making, wooden shoes... or climb up an authentic creaking windmill! The route continues through Twiske a wooded leisure area offering various water and outdoor activities, before reaching Amsterdam.
Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 6: Exploring Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s historic centre is breathtaking, but the other districts are equally worth discovering. Don’t miss the Vondelpark, then continue to Museumplein and the elegant P.C. Hooftstraat, known for its luxury boutiques. For a maritime touch, visit the Oosterdok area, where a stunning replica of a 17th-century ship, The Amsterdam, is moored. You can even step aboard at the National Maritime Museum.
Overnight in Amsterdam
Day 7: From Amsterdam to Haarlem (27 km)
Leave the city behind and return to the peaceful 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 working lock in Europe (1280)! Return to Haarlem, the "beauty of Holland".
Overnight in Haarlem
Day 8: Haarlem
Your cycling holiday ends after breakfast.
