Itinerary

Cycling holiday Historic North and South Holland 

Discovery tour through historic Holland: North Sea beaches and historic cities of Delft, Gouda, Rotterdam and Haarlem. 

Individual cycle tours from/to Volendam | 7 days / 6 nights 

Discover the most beautiful old Dutch towns and the beautiful beaches of North and South Holland on this cycle tour. Visit the cheese town of Gouda with its impressive market square and taste delicious Dutch cheeses. Visit the well-preserved centers of Haarlem and Delft with their small canals, picturesque streets, bridges and avenues. For many guests, a visit to the Delft porcelain factory is one of the highlights of this tour. It is the only remaining earthenware factory from the 17th century that still produces Delft Blue.  In Kinderdijk, you cycle along the 19 historic polder mills (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Haarlem, the capital of the province of North Holland, is one of the most charming cities in the Netherlands. With its rich history, beautiful architecture and vibrant culture, Haarlem offers a perfect blend of old and new. Traditional Volendam is known for its traditional costumes and the fishing port where you can eat delicious fresh fish. Do you like history and shopping? Then extend your stay and visit the capital Amsterdam with its many museums and sights.

Highlights of this bike tour

✔ The old harbour town of Volendam with its traditional houses and costumes 

✔ Oasis of peace at the Loosdrecht lakes     

✔ Cheese town of Gouda

✔ Delft market square and Delft porcelain factory 

✔ Beaches and dunes in North and South Holland  

✔ Harbour city of Rotterdam    

✔ Kinderdijk, UNESCO World Heritage Site with 19 windmills  

✔ Historic city of Haarlem 

* Optional

Itinerary

Day 1: Individual journey to Volendam   

Your first hotel is located in the fishing village of Volendam, around 20 kilometres north of Amsterdam. Volendam is a lively old Dutch town. Fish was sold in the central pile dwelling in the harbour until the 1990s. The original Volendam with its small wooden houses can be found in the alleyways in the second row, such as Doolhof, Oude Kom, Meerzijde and Havendijkje. The houses were not built along straight streets, but in winding neighbourhoods with small gardens. Volendam is also associated worldwide with the beautiful traditional costumes, which today are only worn by older residents. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Volendam became an inspiration for many artists due to its picturesque surroundings and traditional costumes. A walk over the dyke towards Edam with a sweeping view over the IJsselmeer is also a beautiful experience. 

Day 2: Volendam - Loosdrecht (approx. 63 km)  

Today's cycle tour takes you southwards from Volendam, past peaceful polders and picturesque villages with views of the lakes. You cycle through nature reserves to the Loosdrechtse Plassen. From Volendam, you first cycle along the water to Katwoude, where you can visit one of the farms of Henri Willig, a traditional artisan cheese producer.  After visiting the cheese farm, you will soon be in Monnickendam. The route continues almost always along the banks of the Markermeer to Muiden, the old fortified town. On the way to your destination for the day, you will once again pass through the water-rich natural areas of the region. Your hotel for the night is located directly on the Loosdrechtse Plassen. You can end the day with a panoramic view over the water. 

Day 3: Loosdrechtse Plassen - Utrecht - Gouda (approx. 64 km) 

From Loosdrecht you cycle through Hilversum, a town in the Gooi region, known for its green surroundings and its important role in the Dutch media. From Hilversum, the route takes you to the city centre of Utrecht. The Gothic cathedral with its beautiful inner courtyard and the city centre with its numerous cafés right on the canals are well worth a visit. From Utrecht, you cycle to Oudewater with its historic witches' scales in a small museum. You then cycle along a beautiful cycle path to Gouda. Cycle around the imposing historic town hall in the centre of the market square and explore the alleyways with their beautiful gabled houses. In Gouda, you can visit the Gouda Cheese Experience and learn all about cheese and the rich cheese history of Gouda. Your hotel is located in the historic part of the city of Gouda.

Day 4: From Gouda via Kinderdijk and Rotterdam to Delft (approx. 50-60 km)  

Today you cycle from the cheese town of Gouda via Kinderdijk and Rotterdam to Delft and discover some of the most beautiful and iconic places in the Netherlands. In Kinderdijk you can admire the famous 19 windmills, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The former polder mills are lined up along a canal lined with reeds - a wonderful photo opportunity.  From Kinderdijk, the route continues to Rotterdam with its fascinating avant-garde architecture and the largest harbour in Europe. Worth seeing: the Oude Haven, the Kubus flats, Erasmus Bridge and the market hall. After your stop in Rotterdam, continue to the enchanting city of Delft. Historic Hofjes, residential complexes around a green courtyard that were once built for single ladies, the beautiful market square and the many canals are typical of Delft. And you visit De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles, the last remaining Delft ceramics factory from the 17th century. Here you can admire the famous Delft blue pottery, buy pretty souvenirs and learn a lot about the production process.  

Day 5: From Delft via The Hague along the coast to Haarlem (approx. 58 km)    

Today you continue your journey from Delft to Haarlem. On the way you cycle through the royal city of The Hague, also known as ‘s-Gravenhage, the third largest city in the Netherlands and the political capital of the country. It is a city of contrasts with a rich history, modern architecture, international flair and wide beaches. The route then heads north through the dunes along the most beautiful beaches in the Netherlands. You will pass Scheveningen, Noordwijk and Katwijk. At the end of this beach route you are in Zandvoort and cycle further inland to Haarlem. Haarlem is an atmospheric city on the River Spaarne. The Frans Hals Museum, Teylers Museum, St Bavo's Church on the Grote Markt and some of the most beautiful shopping streets, the ‘Gouden Straatjes’, are just some of the highlights you can discover. 

Day 6: Haarlem - Volendam (approx. 50 km) 

Today you cycle along several nature reserves which, with their network of canals, offer ideal conditions for a rich variety of flora and fauna. The Westzaan peat polder, the Wormer and Jisperveld polders and the Eiland polder form green oases between the towns. The route also includes a detour to the Zaanse Schans, the famous open-air museum. You will pass through the historic town of De Rijp, through Edam and finally back to the starting point of your cycling holiday. In Volendam, you have the opportunity to visit one of the museums, stroll through the old alleyways of the Doolhof and enjoy the view over the harbour. If you arrive in Volendam early, there is still time for a trip to the picturesque island of Marken by ferry (bikes can be taken on board). You can cycle back over the causeway that connects the island to the mainland. However, the picturesque island of Marken is also ideal for an extra day.  

Day 7: Return trip or extra overnight stay 

Individual return journey after breakfast.