Holland by bike: three two-wheeled excursions around Amsterdam
The bicycle is one of the symbols of Holland and particularly of Amsterdam, where one literally finds oneself overwhelmed by bicycles on the streets, in the squares, on the bridges and along the canals. There are many bicycle routes that run through Amsterdam or lead to the discovery of unmissable nearby locations.
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most enchanting and vibrant capitals: it is a culturally exciting city thanks to its must-see museums, its UNESCO World Heritage-listed canals to explore on romantic cruises on the Amstel, and its elegant palaces that are children of the Golden Age. What also strikes visitors once they set foot in Amsterdam, however, is the amount of bicycles in the city: there are estimated to be at least 1 million in the Dutch capital, and thinking about the 800,000 inhabitants, it is easy to understand the Dutch people’s passion for two wheels. The city provides cyclists with a bicycle network of nearly 400 kilometers, thus facilitating environmentally friendly and thus environmentally friendly mobility.
Tourists who want to have a totally immersive experience in Amsterdam’s traditions cannot fail to rent a bicycle and thus discover every corner of the city: there are private rental agencies or the On-Flets bike-sharing service with as many as 300 stations scattered around Amsterdam, where you can pay the cost of a daily or multi-day ticket, take your bike and pedal around the city or outside of it.
In fact, there are many bicycle routes outside the Dutch capital and they are the best way to reach enchanting corners of the Netherlands while enjoying the splendid landscapes of this land. So here are three two-wheeled excursions you absolutely must do during an Amsterdam vacation.
Bicycle trip to Zaanse Schans
The ride from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaanse Schans runs on an easy flat route for about 17 kilometers. Amateur cyclists will find themselves in the midst of the most typical landscapes of the Noord, among bodies of water, canals and meadows populated here and there by cows and sheep. The excursion leads to Zaandam and then to the Zaanse Schans historical-industrial site. Sui is a typical Dutch village faithfully reconstructed to reproduce its appearance as it must have been between the 17th and 18th centuries: the bicycle must be stowed in the special racks in order to penetrate among the craft stores that line the small canals and discover the old bakery, the old distillery and the workshop of traditional Dutch clogs.
The hallmark of Zaanse Schans, however, are the windmills that, even today, characterize the entire Zaandam area: of the more than 1,000 original ones, little more than a dozen remain, excellently restored and a faithful mirror of the old Dutch industry. The De Kat mill is very old and has been in continuous operation since 1664: it supplies color pigments to Dutch museums and beyond and can also be visited inside, with a beautiful terrace from which the entire Zaanse Schans site and the Saan River can be seen.
After visiting Zaanse Schans and its mills, you can either return to Amsterdam or take one of the many bicycle routes that branch off from this location, falling under the Zaanse Schans Cycle Route, heading for example for the village of Wormerveer or for the fishing village of De Rijp.
Amsterdam to Edam by bicycle
Those who love to pedal and are not afraid of long distances can reach Edam: this is one of the most exciting two-wheeled excursions because, crossing wonderful landscapes and with the help of a guide, one can reach some of the most typical Dutch towns, first among them Marken. It is a village that sits on a peninsula, where the nineteenth-century Paard Van Marken lighthouse dominates.The characteristic feature of this small town is the low wooden houses, with dark facades and white shutters, built on top of knolls called werwen to escape the danger of flooding.
Leaving Marken and passing the Marketemeer reservoir, we reach the town of Volendam, founded in the 12th century and much loved by artists and painters. You pedal along the small harbor and into the historic heart of Doolhof, past canals, small bridges, and narrow streets lined with red-roofed houses with flowers in their windows. Those who want to learn about the history of Volendam can visit the museum of the same name where they can also admire the typical local costumes, especially the women’s costumes, a true icon of the entire Netherlands.
The final destination of this excursion is Edam, a village also crossed by canals and drawbridges that are still in operation. There is nothing better after a long ride than to head to the Kaasmarkt Cheese Market to savor this local delicacy, sold, as in the past, on wooden boats. Don’t miss a visit to the Edams Museum, located inside a 16th-century building complete with a floating wine cellar dedicated to whaling, which was much practiced in Edam in the past.
Hiking on two wheels: pedaling to Keukenhof
For many, Holland is synonymous with windmills and tulips: in Amsterdam itself, thousands of species and tulip bulbs can be found within the quaint Bloemenmarkt floating market along the Singel Canal. There is another iconic place in the Netherlands on the subject of tulips and that is the Keukenhof garden in Lisse, about 35 km from Amsterdam.This bike ride is among the most challenging and longest, but it is really worth it because you find yourself cycling in the heart of the Kennermerland region.
The best time to organize this two-wheeled excursion is between April and May, which is during the tulip blossoming season that makes Keukenhof Park one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Europe.
It covers about 32 hectares and holds within it thousands and thousands of tulip trees of every color and species: this splendid flower symbol of Holland is cultivated in such a way as to create scenic flower beds, along with other inflorescences such as irises, hyacinths, lilies, orchids, daffodils, carnations and roses. It is really worth leaving the bicycle behind and strolling through this truly fairy-tale bucolic corner, among ponds, fountains, sculptures and ancient trees. There is no shortage of an English garden, a Japanese garden, and of course a windmill to complete the spectacular landscape of Keukenhof.
In front of the park is Keukenhof Castle, which is as beautiful as the other castle in the area, namely the medieval fortress of Huys Dever.
The well-trained can also push on to nearby Haarlem, discovering its secret Hofjes gardens, visiting St. Bavon’s Church and enjoying a mug of beer at what used to be the old Jopenkerk Church.
