Biking and boating in Kinderdijk, Molenwaard, South Holland, the Netherlands. Photo via Flickr:Luca Casartelli

Harbor and Town Hall in Leiden, South Holland, the Netherlands. Photo via Flickr:Roman Boed

Heart of Holland

Netherlands Bike + Barge Tours

This bike and barge tour will take you over quiet cycle paths through Holland's beautiful green countryside. Beginning in Amsterdam, the route leads to Zaanse Schans, a unique village with a collection of wooden houses, windmills, and shops. From there, it is on to the beautiful town center of Haarlem with all its wonderful little courtyards. A stunning route along the North Sea coast will take you to the university cities Leiden and Delft, where you can admire the world-famous Delft Blue. Visit the Kinderdijk with its 19 windmills in a row. Other highlights include the province Zuid-Holland, the cheese town Gouda, and the small village of Kudelstaart. Early birds can visit the largest flower market in the world in Aalsmeer.

Looking for something different? Here is a complete list of bike and barge tours in the Netherlands.

Tour Dates

2016 Dates:
May 14, May 21, July 2, July 9, September 17, and September 24,  2016

2017 Dates:
May 13, May 20, May 27, June 10, June 17, July 1, July 8, August 26, and September 16, September 23, and September 30, 2017

Where You’ll Stay

Accommodations aboard the comfort class boat, the Jelmar

What’s Included

  • Accommodations for 7 nights on board
  • Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x packed lunch, 7 x three course dinner)
  • 7 speed hybrid bicycle with pannier bag
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Welcome drink
  • Daily tour briefings
  • Detailed maps and route descriptions
  • Wifi in the lounge
  • Coffee and tea until 4 p.m.

What’s Not Included

  • Individual arrival and departure from the boat
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • Fees for ferries
  • Drinks on board
  • Gratuities
  • Bike protection
  • Trip insurance

TourBike+Boat
TypeSelf Guided
SkillEasy
Length8 days
From€829 Rates
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Skill Level

This is an easy, self guided bike and boat tour with average daily distances between 10 and 34 miles (15 and 55 km).

Tour Boats

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam – Zaandam | Zaanse Schans – Haarlem, 22-34 miles (approx. 35-55 km)
Day 3: Haarlem – North Sea coast – Leiden, 34 miles (approx. 55 km)
Day 4: Leiden – Delft, 22 miles (approx. 35 km)
Day 5: Delft – Rotterdam – Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk (Schoonhoven) – Gouda, 19-28 miles (approx. 30-45 km)
Day 6: Gouda - Kudelstaart, 34 miles (approx. 55 km)
Day 7: Kudelstaart – Aalsmeer – Amsterdam or Kudelstaart to Amsterdam, 10-25 miles (approx. 15-40 km)
Day 8: End of the tour; disembarkation in Amsterdam

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Amsterdam
Embarkation begins at 2 p.m. in the center of Amsterdam at NEMO museum, Oosterdok. You can then set out to explore the city center, which is located within walking distance, and make a round trip through the canals. An introduction takes place at 5:30, during which the crew is presented, and the first dinner on board is served; the rental bicycles are also handed out at this time.

Day 2: Amsterdam – Zaandam | Zaanse Schans – Haarlem (approx. 35-55 km / 22-34 miles)
You visit the lovely open-air museum ‘Zaanse Schans’ after a short cruise to Zaandam. An old 18th and 19th century Dutch village was reconstructed in the museum, where you can visit windmills, a cheese-maker, and a clog maker. You then cycle to Haarlem, where you are able to stroll through the lovely city center and the Grote Markt (market square) in the evening. If preferred, today’s bike tour can also be extended with a visit of the sea locks of IJmuiden and the Kennemer Dunes.

Day 3: Haarlem – North Sea coast – Leiden (approx. 55 km / 34 miles)
You cycle along the North Sea Coast and through the dunes, via the seaside resorts Noordwijk and Katwijk aan Zee. The day ends in Leiden, on of the the oldest university cities. Here you can follow in the footsteps of the famous painter, Rembrandt, through the beautiful old city center.

Day 4: Leiden – Delft (approx. 35 km / 22 miles)
From Leiden you cycle to Delft, where a Delft Blue porcelain studio can be viewed and visited. The royal crypts of the House of Orange are also located in the beautiful center of Delft. From Delft you can also visit The Hague. If you prefer not to cycle here, you can also take the or per train or tram. Highlights of today's route include the Binnenhof, the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), and the Scheveningen seaside resort. 

Day 5: Delft – Rotterdam – Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk (Schoonhoven) – Gouda (approx. 30-45 km / 19-28 miles)
You travel per boat through the remarkable international port of Rotterdam, from Delft to Kinderdijk. The Kinderdijk offers an impressive view of 19 windmills in a row. From here, you cycle a shorter distance directly to Gouda, known for its famous cheese. You can also choose to take the longer route via Schoonhoven, also known as the silver city.

Day 6: Gouda - Kudelstaart (approx. 55 km / 34 miles)
You cycle to the small town of Kudelstaart, straight through the idyllic South Holland landscape with numerous little canals. At the mooring place on the banks of the Westeinder Plassen (“West End” Lakes), you can enjoy the beautiful view.

Day 7: Kudelstaart – Aalsmeer (Amsterdam) (approx. 15-40 km / 10-25 m) | or Kudelstaart - Amsterdam
Early in the morning you can visit the large flower auction at Aalsmeer (entrance fee not included). After breakfast you can choose to cruise through the City of Amsterdam to the mooring place or cycle into the city through the city park Amsterdamse Bos or along the Amstel river. Take some time to enjoy the attractions in the city center during the afternoon and evening.

Day 8: End of the tour; disembarkation in Amsterdam
Bid the crew farewell and disembark after breakfast at 9:00 a.m.

You can view all of our bike and barge tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news. 

Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064

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Heart of Holland Boats + Barges

Jelmar Photo

Jelmar Netherlands Comfort Class Boat The Jelmar, recently renovated during the winter of 2006/2007, has 10 twin cabins with level beds, washbasin and shower/toilet, and 1 twin cabin with a bunk bed. The well upgraded ship is ready to receive new guests while sailing in the Netherlands.

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Email or Call 800-951-4384
+1 570-965-2064

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