The 9 best cycling holidays - Experience beautiful routes through nature and cities in the Netherlands

Explore the Wadden Sea

Discover the magic of the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Wadden Sea by bike. On and along the water you can encounter seagrass beds, mussel beds, sandbanks, salt marshes, seals, porpoises and several rare birds. Enjoy the fresh sea air, breathtaking landscapes and picturesque villages as you explore the beautifully marked cycling routes. Whether you enjoy quiet rides along the coast or adventurous trips through nature, the Wadden Islands have something special to offer for every cycling enthusiast.

Learn more about best cycling routes along the Wadden Sea Cycle Route.

Discover the province of Zeeland

Discover the beauty of Zeeland by bike! Tour Zeeland's (peninsular) islands, with their magnificent flora and fauna. Cycle through fairytale villages, enjoy local delicacies like fresh mussels and lobster, and discover the dams, locks and storm surge barriers of the Delta Works. Whether you opt for a leisurely ride or a sporting challenge, Zeeland offers the perfect cycling experience for everyone. Ready to go on an adventure?

Click here for the top most selected cycling routes in Zeeland.

Adventure through the ‘Green Heart’ of Holland

Discover the charm of The Green Heart of the Netherlands by bicycle! Explore vast polders, picturesque villages and historic towns while enjoying the peace and greenery around you. Get to know the rich flora and fauna, cycle past babbling rivers and windmills, and sample local delicacies at cosy farms and tea gardens. Whether you enjoy a relaxing ride or a sporty challenge, the Green Heart offers the ideal cycling experience for everyone. Ready to discover the heart of the Netherlands?

Check out the most beautiful cycling routes in Het Groene Hart.

Step back in time to the Dutch Golden Age

Step (or cycle) back in time to the 17th century. The Dutch Golden Age was a period when the country’s trade, science and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. See the remnants of this age of prosperity as you travel on this looping tour from the sprawling palaces, coastal views and rich history of The Hague, to the port city of Rotterdam, all the way to the iconic cheese-making city of Gouda. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in Dutch tradition, sample local delicacies and see some of the Netherlands’ most scenic landscapes.

Find more information about cycle tour Dutch Golden Age.

Travel along Friesland’s famous Eleven Cities Tour

This bike tour follows the route of the legendary ‘Elfstedentocht’, known in English as the Eleven Cities Tour, an open-air skating competition which covers more than 200 kilometers and tours all Friesland’s 11 cities. Highlights include: The Frisian Lake District, said to be the largest lake district in western Europe; canals, lakes and nature reserves; the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium, the oldest working planetarium in the country; and Leeuwarden, Friesland’s vibrant capital. It’s the perfect way to discover the province’s unique culture.

Find more information about bike tour Eleven Cities.

Uncover the importance of the New Dutch Water Line

The perfect trip for military buffs or history enthusiasts. You follow the New Dutch Water Line past forts, trenches, fortified towns, rivers and areas of natural beauty. Along the way you can see first-hand how the fortifications that make up the 125 kilometer defense line could be used to stop an enemy. You’ll also visit the enchanting towns of Culemborg, Leerdam, Gorinchem and Vianen, as well as the spectacular 14^th-century Loevestein Castle.

Find more information about the four-day cycling tour New Dutch Water Line.

A race through the landscape

This five-day tour encourages you to get on your road bike and pedal quickly through the unique Dutch countryside – a flat, scenic landscape littered with polders, rare wildlife and impressive views. Starting each day’s cycle from the charming city of Gouda, you’ll whizz past windmills, tranquil lakeside locations, green pastures and historic villages. As well as plenty of places to fill up on some traditional local delicacies (think apple tart and pancakes), as you cycle along dikes and polders, you’ll also be able to see close up how the Dutch water management system works.

Find more information about bike tour Dutch tradiotion and nature.

Visit the Hansa highlights

Explore some of the most picturesque parts of the Netherlands’ central region on this spectacular eight-day bike-barge tour through the Dutch Hanseatic Towns. Cycle through the Rhine Valley, along the River IJssel and visit fascinating cities such as Arnhem, Harderwijk, Kampen and Deventer. Discover how these historic towns and villages flourished during the Middle Ages and continue to shine today – even if they aren’t as famous as some of the larger Dutch cities. As you head off the beaten path, you’ll tour beautiful harbor towns and the ‘new land’ of the province of Flevoland, which was once the seabed of the Zuiderzee.

Find more information about bike tour Hansa highlights.

Follow part of the WWII Liberation Route

This four-day tour takes you to the area where Operation Market Garden played out – a bold plan to capture several bridges across the major Dutch rivers to try bring the Second World War to an end. Along the way you’ll follow in the Allied soldiers’ footsteps, visiting war museums, commemorative sites, monuments and military cemeteries. Staying in a four-star hotel, this all-inclusive e-bike tour is the perfect way to learn about and pay tribute to the bravery of the soldiers and civilians who lived through the war.

Find more information about e-bike tour Liberation Route.