Cycling routes from Amsterdam

From Amsterdam, you can embark on countless cycling routes to explore the city and its surroundings. Some require a bit more pedalling, but you can always combine the ride with a train journey, taking your bike on board. You also have the option to do it on an electric bike or share the effort on a tandem. In the Netherlands, it won’t be hard to find the type of bike that suits you best.

In this article, we suggest several one-day circular routes that let you discover Amsterdam and its nearby areas, as well as a couple of two- or three-day itineraries for those who want to cycle a bit farther and spend a night or two outside the city.

 

1-Day Routes

Amsterdam and Surroundings: the Waterway Route – 32 km

Discover Amsterdam from a unique perspective — through the waterways that have shaped the city. Ride along its iconic canals, bridges, dikes, and the Amstel River, which gives the city its name.

Start at the rear of Central Station and head toward the IJ River harbor. Once outside the city, you’ll have the chance to “cycle over the water” along the Westelijke Merwedekanaal dike — a bike path that crosses what feels like a lake.

Continue south, following the Amstel River and the network of man-made canals that will eventually lead you back into the city through the famous Vondelpark. From there, cross the heart of Amsterdam along its most picturesque canals to return to your starting point.

End your day by taking the free ferry (a 12-minute ride) to the former shipyard area — now a vibrant, creative district filled with art spaces and unique cafés. Don’t miss Pllek, a stylish café built from repurposed shipping containers with a laid-back waterfront vibe.

Details: 32 km / 19.88 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: This is a circular route, so you can begin anywhere, but if you’re in Amsterdam, starting from Central Station is recommended.
Route map or GPX download: fietsknoop.nl (Dutch)

 

     

From Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Back: The Windmill Route – 35 km

Although Zaanse Schans is a popular tourist destination, it’s absolutely worth the trip. This open-air museum offers a glimpse into pre-industrial Dutch life, with its traditional houses, working windmills, and scenic canals.

From anywhere in Amsterdam, head to the ferry that crosses the Het IJ River from Hempontplein, located in the city’s largest industrial area, Westpoort. If industrial landscapes aren’t your thing, you can take one of the ferries departing from behind Central Station and head west once you reach the other side.

Following the main route, you’ll soon arrive in Zaandam, a charming town along the River Zaan. Take a break here — grab a coffee in Stadhuisplein Square and admire the striking architecture around you. The colorful buildings are said to look like they’re made of LEGO bricks.

A short ride north brings you to Zaanse Schans, on the outskirts of town. Here, you can rest your legs and hop on a traditional cow-trailer boat that travels along the river for a guided tour, offering insights into traditional Dutch life. You can also visit some of the historic windmills up close.

Details: 35 km / 21.74 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Begin anywhere in Amsterdam, head north, and cross the river by ferry.

 

Through the Streets of Amsterdam: Canals and the “9 Straatjes” - 18 km/11.18 mi

Hop on your bike anywhere in the city center — for example, at the Bloemenmarkt flower market (fun fact: it mostly sells bulbs, not flowers!) — and follow the Singel Canal westward. Just a couple of blocks away, you’ll reach the 9 Straatjes (“Nine Little Streets”), a charming neighborhood filled with unique boutiques, young designers, stylish cafés, and those picture-perfect Amsterdam streets that are ideal for your first photo stop of the day.

Ride between the Herengracht and Prinsengracht canals, and if you’re still in the mood to explore more creative corners, head over to the nearby Jordaan district. You’ll notice the crowds thinning as you move away from the city center — a welcome relief when cycling through such a popular capital.

End your day like a local: stop by a supermarket, grab some snacks, and make your way to Vondelpark. On sunny days, the park fills up as quickly as mushrooms after the rain. Find a spot on the grass, lay down your bike, and unwind.

Details: 18 km / 11.18 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Anywhere in the city center, such as the Bloemenmarkt.

 

Amsterdam – Haarlem: Circular Route or Return by Train (30 or 60 km)

From Amsterdam, you can easily explore nearby villages — or take a slightly longer ride to the charming city of Haarlem, known for its rich history, cozy atmosphere, and cultural heritage. Visit one of its many museums, wander through the picturesque old town, or step into a hofje — a group of small houses built around a quiet garden courtyard, originally created to house the elderly or those in need.

Leave the capital following a straight route parallel to the highway and railway line toward Haarlem. Before reaching the city, turn south along the Vijfhuizerdijk dike to enter Haarlem from the south, following the Spaarne River and crossing through the heart of the city.

If you have time, park your bike and stroll through Haarlem’s charming, narrow streets, or visit De Adriaan Windmill, where you can learn how windmill blades were once used to send coded messages.

Feeling tired? Simply take the train back from Haarlem Station — in just 20 minutes, you’ll be back in Amsterdam.

Details: 30 km (60 km) / 18.64 (37.28) miles | Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Westerpark, Amsterdam.

 

From Amsterdam to Monnickendam and Back – 36 km

Head north from Amsterdam into Amsterdam-Noord, the part of the city that lies across the Het IJ River, reachable via a free ferry. The ferries run continuously throughout the day and depart from behind Amsterdam Central Station. Do as the locals do — join the line, walk your bike on board, and enjoy the short ride across the water.

As you pedal northeast and leave the last houses behind, you’ll immediately see why the Netherlands is famous for its flat landscape. For several kilometers, you’ll ride across open countryside, with long horizons, tidy fields, and the ever-present network of canals that keeps the land fertile and dry.

Upon reaching Monnickendam, head north toward the harbor. About 9 km (5.59 miles) further lies another postcard-perfect fishing village, Volendam, where you’ll find lively waterfront cafés and restaurants. Both towns overlook the IJsselmeer, the vast inland sea that has shaped the region’s maritime traditions for centuries.

To return to Amsterdam via a different route, veer slightly west and follow the Noordhollandsch Kanaal southward, which will lead you back into Amsterdam-Noord.

Details: 36 km / 22.36 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: From Amsterdam Central Station, take the ferry to Amsterdam-Noord.

 

2–3 Day Routes

Amsterdam – Volendam – Alkmaar – Amsterdam - 148 km/91.96 mi

This route captures the essence of North Holland (Noord-Holland) — a landscape defined by water, where dikes, polders, and countless canals shape the flat, fertile countryside.

Starting from Amsterdam, ride across the peninsula, passing through the picture-perfect towns of Monnickendam, Volendam, and Edam. Any of these three make a great overnight stop after about 35 km (21.74 miles) of cycling. If you’re a cheese lover, time your visit to Edam for a Wednesday, when the traditional cheese market takes place.

From the eastern coast, cross the peninsula toward the west, through fields reclaimed from the sea generations ago — now bursting with flowers in spring.

And of course, no North Holland journey would be complete without windmills. You’ll find them as you pass through Zaanse Schans, surrounded by canals, bridges, and the region’s iconic dark-green wooden houses.

Details: 148 km (91.96 miles) split into three stages | Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: From Amsterdam Central Station, take the ferry to Amsterdam-Noord.

 

The Tulip Route - 150 km/92.2 mi

If there’s one cycling trip you must take in spring, it’s the Tulip Route. Ride between Amsterdam, Haarlem, and Leiden, passing through colorful flower fields and charming little villages.

Start in Amsterdam, where it’s worth spending some time exploring the city’s famous canals before setting off. (In the first part of this guide, we suggest a one-day route for discovering the city center.)

For the first leg to Haarlem, we recommend skipping the straightest route and instead cycling south toward Hillegom, looping up into Haarlem from below. This way, you’ll already start seeing flower fields along the way — and avoid the less scenic stretch that runs parallel to the train tracks. Once in Haarlem, don’t just head to your hotel. The city is peaceful yet lively: stroll through its elegant old streets, peek into a hofje (a historic courtyard surrounded by small houses), and end your day with one of the hundreds of Dutch beers brewed across the country.

The section between Haarlem and Leiden is the most colorful. From mid-March to early May, the fields burst into bloom with tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. If possible, plan your trip for April, when the display is at its peak. And if you have an extra day, visit Keukenhof, the Netherlands’ most famous flower park — but be sure to book your ticket in advance.

To complete the loop, ride north from Leiden back to Amsterdam, crossing the so-called Green Heart — a peaceful rural area dotted with lakes, villages, and stately homes along the Amstel River.

Details: 150 km (92.20 miles) split into three stages | Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: From Amsterdam Central Station or Westerpark.

 

Can’t find the perfect route on this list? Contact us and we’ll help you plan your trip in the Netherlands. Or take a look at our self-guided holidays in the country of bikes.