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Highlights
Immerse in spellbinding natural landscapes and towns on this self-guided cycling journey
Experience the best of Holland, visiting Amsterdam and several historical cities and towns along the way.
Enjoy scenic cycling routes alongside peaceful rivers, canals, and dikes.
Visit Gouda—the “cheese town”—learning about what makes this town great beyond world-class cheese.
Escape into the highlights on this tour that you’ll reach via short cycling routes with ample time for sightseeing on foot.
See the best of Holland on the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour, a 7-day self-guided cycling holiday that invites you to explore the capital, Amsterdam, and several historic cities of North and South Holland.
The tour begins in the vibrant capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, where you'll enjoy a full day of exploring the cities famous highlights like the Van Gogh and Anne Frank Museum and its hidden treasures like the peaceful Canal District. It's then off to the historical Haarlem, where you'll ride through expansive countryside dotted with country estates, beautiful peatland, and vast polders. As a true hub of art and culture, Haarlem is home to much to explore and sightsee. Up next is Leiden, before cruising by the famous blooming fields of tulips and daffodils that span to the horizon (the ideal time for this is early May). Delft and Gouda make for a well-rounded tour, introducing you to two more unique cities before returning to Amsterdam.
Experience the pristine beauty of Holland as you cycle its rural Green Heart with beautiful pastoral landscapes and quaint villages. Overnight stays in modern, primarily 4-star hotels make for a tour characterized by amazing adventures by bike and exceptional modern accommodations.
Discover the best of North and South Holland on two wheels. Book your spot on the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour today!
See the best of Holland on the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour, a 7-day self-guided cycling holiday that invites you to explore the capital, Amsterdam, and several historic cities of North and South Holland.
The tour begins in the vibrant capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, where you'll enjoy a full day of exploring the cities famous highlights like the Van Gogh and Anne Frank Museum and its hidden treasures like the peaceful Canal District. It's then off to the historical Haarlem, where you'll ride through expansive countryside dotted with country estates, beautiful peatland, and vast polders. As a true hub of art and culture, Haarlem is home to much to explore and sightsee. Up next is Leiden, before cruising by the famous blooming fields of tulips and daffodils that span to the horizon (the ideal time for this is early May). Delft and Gouda make for a well-rounded tour, introducing you to two more unique cities before returning to Amsterdam.
Experience the pristine beauty of Holland as you cycle its rural Green Heart with beautiful pastoral landscapes and quaint villages. Overnight stays in modern, primarily 4-star hotels make for a tour characterized by amazing adventures by bike and exceptional modern accommodations.
Discover the best of North and South Holland on two wheels. Book your spot on the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour today!
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Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive
Your tour begins in the Netherlands’ wondrous capital of Amsterdam. Settle into your accommodation, and then set out to explore this dynamic city. Take a stroll through the 17th-century Canal District, where you’ll find yourself swept up in a Holland of old. Then, trade the peaceful canal trails for the buzzing atmosphere of the city’s famous squares: Dam, Rembrandtplein, and Leidseplein.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Amsterdam
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Explore Amsterdam and Ride to Haarlem
This morning, before departing Amsterdam, head to the Van Gogh or Anne Frank Museum, both top highlights of the city, then hop in the saddle for a wonderful ride to Haarlem.
Enveloped by the vast green countryside of Kennemerland, you’ll pedal a mesmerizing route today alongside polders, country estates, blooming gardens, and gorgeous peatland. Arrive in the elegant city of Haarlem, and check out the shops, art, and colourful culture of this vibrant city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Haarlem
Distance: 29km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle from Haarlem to Leiden
After breakfast, head out to visit more sights in Haarlem. If you haven’t done so already, the city’s famous “hofjes” (squares with almshouses set around a courtyard) are a must-see.
This afternoon offers a beautiful ride through the Dune and Bulb Region. Leading up to mid-May, this route pops with tulips and vast fields of flowers in full bloom, making up one of Holland’s most-loved attractions.
Arrive in Leiden, the oldest university town in the Netherlands. Leiden is known for its bounty of cultural events and its spectacular botanical gardens. Enjoy the afternoon and evening here at your leisure, and get ready for another exciting ride tomorrow to Delft.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Leiden
Distance: 38km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Typical Dutch Scenery on the Ride to Delft
Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning, then set out on your bike through gleaming green pastures, passing ancient windmills and rustic farmhouses along the way.
Arriving in historical Delft, you’ll find yourself swept up in a world of old Dutch charm. Famous for its hand-painted blue and white pottery known as Delftware, Delft is a city with deep roots in art and history, and the perfect place to observe some of Holland’s historical art.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Delft
Distance: 24km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Cycle the Green Heart of Holland
Today’s ride is characterized by breathtaking scenery, as you cruise the Holland’s Green Heart on two wheels. Polder dikes, traditional villages, and rich green fields pave the way to Gouda, the next stop on this adventure.
Gouda, known as “cheese town,” is a remarkable city, home to an impressive 15th-century Gothic town hall and several other fascinating historical sites. Spend the remainder of your day exploring, making sure to delight in some of the town’s famous Gouda cheese.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gouda
Distance: 34km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Final Ride to Amsterdam
Depart Gouda after breakfast this morning, embarking on the longest leg of the tour. The scenery continues to impress as you return to Amsterdam via the rural Green Heart. Sparkling lakes and rivers line your route as you pass through tiny villages and whiz past sprawling meadows.
Hop off your bike to savour a Dutch apple tart along the way, the perfect refuel for the lengthy journey. Trace the lovely river Amstel as you ride into Amsterdam, coming full circle on this mesmerizing cycling adventure.
Enjoy your final evening in the iconic capital, savouring the last moments of your tour, and enjoying a splendid farewell dinner, toasting to an epic week of cycling in Holland.
Should the prospect of 68 km be rather daunting, you can book an extra night in Woerden between Gouda and Amsterdam (making two legs: 38 km and 49 km).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Amsterdam
Distance: 72km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Depart
Your tour comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Check-out of your accommodations and head to the airport to depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures The departures are available daily (with some exceptions), from March 29th to September 24rd .
- Single room: from EUR1325*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR825*
Accommodation on the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour
This tour is based on hotels. Hotels on this tour are 3-star and 4-star and offer either basic or modern amenities to ensure you have a pleasant and comfortable stay. Accommodations are well-located and offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement of EUR180 to have a private room in a hotel where possible.
What’s Included in the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Amsterdam are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour (1 piece of luggage, max 20 kilos per person). Your bike rental and airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.
Also Included
- Detailed route notes and maps
- Tourist information on all places of interest
- GPS tracks (on request)
- Tourist city tax
- Phone hotline 7 days/week
Not included
- Bike rental
- Guide services
- Flights to and from Amsterdam
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Bike rental:
- Child bike
- Hybrid bike
- Premium hybrid bike
- E-Bike
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Additional services and biking equipment rental:
- Theft insurance (hybrid and child bike)
- Theft insurance (premium and e-bike)
- Bike road assistance
- Helmet rental
- Trailer rental
- GPS rental
- Airport transfers
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- How hard is the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the Netherlands?
- Are meals included on the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Amsterdam to start this tour?
- Where does the Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Hybrid/premium bike: 72 EUR
- E-bike: 70 EUR
- GPS rental: 10 EUR
- What equipment does bike rental include?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the Netherlands?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the Netherlands?
- When is the best time to travel to Holland for this tour?
We rate this tour a 1 / 5. You should be comfortable riding up to 72 kilometres in a day. The terrain is a almost entirely flat, making for a pleasant easy ride.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills, and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). You can reach the city center by train, which takes approximately 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
The tour ends Amsterdam. You can reach the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) by train, which takes approximately 15 minutes from the city center. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Bikes available are 21-gear hybrid bikes, 27-gear premium touring bikes, race bikes, tandem bikes, or e-bikes.
Bike rental includes a chain lock, a saddlebag, and a repair kit.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to South Holland for this cycling tour is mid-April to October, when the weather is at its best. July and August see the greatest number of tourists. This tour is available from April to September, allowing you the option to travel during the spring, summer, or early fall.
Customer Ratings
Operating since 2017, Dutch Biketours knows how to immerse travellers in Dutch life–best done on a bike, of course! Their experienced staff can lead your trip planning, or they can take your ideas and tailor a custom itinerary that reveals the charm of the Netherlands.
