Amsterdam to Bruges Bike Tour
Netherlands, Belgium Bike Tours
Cycling diverse scenery & charming towns through Holland & Belgium
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€815 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Experience this wonderful cycling holiday through Holland down into Belgium, past towns, villages, and canals on high-quality cycling paths. With our bike and barge tours between Amsterdam to Bruges becoming increasingly popular, we are excited to also offer a bike and hotel tour between these two vibrant cities.
As you cycle, you too will come to know what the Dutch and the Belgians learn from childhood, the best way to travel is on two wheels.
Starting in Amsterdam and traveling in a southwesterly direction you will pass through the most picturesque towns in the Netherlands and Flanders, remarkably well-preserved and evocative of centuries past.
Highlights
- Gouda
- Dordrecht
- Willemstad
- Zierikzee
- Middelburg
- Vlissingen (Flushing)
- Sluis
- Damme
- Bruges
*We also offer this tour with Bruges as the starting point. Ask us!
Want to see more bike tours in the Netherlands?
Itinerary
8 day
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam - Gouda/Bodegraven 50 mi. (80 km)
Day 3: Gouda - Papendrecht/Dordrecht, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 4: Papendrecht/Dordrecht - Willemstad, 41 mi. (65 km)
Day 5: Willemstad - Schuddebeurs/Zierikzee, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Schuddebeurs/Zierikzee - Vlissingen/Middelburg, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 7: Middelburg/Vlissingen - Bruges, 41 mi. (66 km)
Day 8: DepartureAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally
The itinerary is for both A and B categories. If two overnight destinations are provided, the first is for Category B and the second for Category A. Please take note that the hotels listed are based on availability. They are the first choice but occasionally there is a need for a hotel change.
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Your cycling adventure starts in Amsterdam, famous for its historic 400-year-old canal district, museums (the new Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank etc), street artists and performers on Dam, Leidseplein, and Rembrandtplein, a notorious red-light district, and more. This city is brimming with things to see and do and you couldn’t wish for a more dynamic beginning to your holiday. Try to arrive early so you have time to admire the elegant tree-lined canals, tall narrow townhouses, and warehouses dating from the 17th century (World Heritage Site).
Category A and Category B accommodations: Westcord Hotel in 3-star rooms. It is possible to upgrade to a higher level room.Day 2: Amsterdam - Gouda/Bodegraven, 50 mi. (80 km)
After staying the night in bustling Amsterdam, cycle into the peace and quiet of the “Groene Hart” or Green Heart, a pleasant rural area of low-lying polders with peat meadows and grazing cattle. It’s a flat, open, and spacious landscape where church spires and windmills touch the horizon and clouds are reflected in lakes and canals. For centuries, people flocked from far and wide to buy horses, cows, meat, turf, seed, and cheese at weekly and annual markets in Gouda. We recommend an evening stroll around the old part of town to soak up the yesteryear atmosphere and marvel at the large and attractive market square boasting a wonderful fifteenth-century town hall as well as a Weighing House (“Waag”).
Category A: Best Western Hotel Gouda
Category B: Gr8 Hotel Bodegraven*If this day is too long for you, you can actually change the itinerary and spend an overnight in Woerden (48 km) and then continue on to Gouda (30 km). See short itinerary below for this 9-day option.
Day 3: Gouda - Papendrecht/Dordrecht, 23 mi. (37 km)
Hit the trail once again and head for the village of Kinderdijk where nineteen majestic windmills present a unique sight. In the age of wind, they were used to drain excess water out of the low-lying polder up into the River Lek. Pedaling on, you will reach one of the oldest towns in Holland: Dordrecht, completely surrounded by water. The area around the marina is a true gem. This oldest part of town has over a thousand historical buildings and three nostalgic canals.Category A: Apollo Hotel Papendrecht
Category B: Postillion Hotel DordrechtThe hotel in Papendrecht for Category A is 3 km outside the center of Dordrecht on the north banks of the river.
Day 4: Papendrecht/Dordrecht - Willemstad, 41 mi. (65 km)
The result of a major flood in 1421, Biesbosch is one of the few remaining wetland habitats in Europe where the ecosystem has adapted both to saltwater coming in from the sea through tidal creeks, and to freshwater coming down in the rivers. It’s an ever-changing labyrinth of creeks and small rivers encompassing countless little islands of willow woods and reeds, a paradise for birds. The longer ride (54 km) takes you along the edges of this National Park. Round off the day in Willemstad, a fortified town shaped like a seven-point star.Please note: you will only cycle through de Biesbosch park on days that the ferry departs. This ferry does not go daily. Currently, due to covid-19 measures, it is not running at all.
If the ferry is not running, you will follow an alternative route.
Category A and B: Hotel Mauritz
Day 5: Willemstad - Schuddebeurs, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you will enter Zeeland, a province of the Netherlands marked by light, wind, water, and space. It is made up of islands so bridges and ferries will be carrying you across the waters as you drift down towards Belgium. Picture-book towns with ancient houses and cobbled streets line the banks. Traverse a patchwork landscape of vast polders, idyllic countryside, rolling dunes, and golden sand flats.
Category A and Category B: Hostellerie SchuddebeursDay 6: Schuddebeurs – Middelburg/Vlissingen, 26 mi. (42 km)
A stroll down the narrow streets of Zierikzee is an absolute delight. Quaint little old houses take you back in time to the town's glory days when ships set sail to sell salt, wool, fish, grain, and red dye as far afield as the Baltic and the Mediterranean. Your route continues to the charming village of Veere. From 1541, everything that was exported to Holland from Scotland (mainly wool) came ashore in and was distributed from Veere. This contract brought the town not only prosperity but also a very lively Scottish expat community that stayed for 300 years. Walk in their footsteps as you take a tour of the sights. Cruising further south, you will discover the nostalgic splendor of the city of Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was one of the most important centers of trade in the Netherlands.
Category A: Hotel Loskade 45
Category B: Hotel PiccardDay 7: Middelburg/Vlissingen - Bruges, 41 mi. (66 km)
After a hearty breakfast, hop on a ferry boat (the ferry crossing from Vlissingen to Breskens must be reserved online in advance via https://www.westerscheldeferry.nl )to Zeelandic Flanders with its winding country roads, pollard willows, wet meadows, and scattered villages. Having crossed the border into Belgium, you will reach the charming little town of Damme on the banks of the romantic Damse Vaart. From here, it’s only a short stretch to Bruges, known as the pearl of Flanders! It’s a truly enchanting town that has been welcoming tourists for about 150 years. With most of its medieval architecture intact, it remains exceptionally well preserved and can really give you a sense of times gone by when it was at the center of the European wool and cloth trade.Category A and B: Velotel.
It is possible to upgrade to NH, Bruges (see pricing) but please note if you choose to upgrade and have chosen the Dinner Included option, this cannot be provided on this night. Discount will be applied if you have chosen the Dinner Included option.
Day 8: Departure9 day
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam - Woerden, 31 mi. (49 km)The hotel used for both Category A and Category B in Woerden is the Best Western Hotel.
Day 3: Woerden - Gouda, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 4: Gouda - Papendrecht/Dordrecht, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 5: Papendrecht/Dordrecht - Willemstad, 38 mi. (61 km)
Day 6: Willemstad - Scheddebeurs/Zierikzee, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Schuddebeurs/Zierikzee – Vlissingen/Middelburg, 36 mi. (57 km)
Day 8: Middelburg/Vlissingen - Bruges, 38 mi. (61 km)
Day 9: DepartureYou can view all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Hotels & Bikes
You have the choice of two levels of accommodations for this tour.
Category A: Consists of four 4 star and three 3 star establishments.
Category B: Consists of five 3 star and two 4 star establishments.
In the detailed itinerary, the name of the preferred hotel is listed. If the hotel listed is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered.Bicycles
City Touring Bike
City touring bike, ideal for an upright but relaxed riding position. View a video tour here.
- Aluminum frame
- Upright handlebar (adjustable)
- 24 speed
- Flat pedal (pedals can be changed for personal pedals but clients must bring their own tools and put original pedals back on after use!)
- Mechanical V brakes
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
- Schwalbe marathon plus anti-puncture tire
- Equipped with QR code for scanning with your smart device
- Adjustable saddles
Water bottle holder cannot be guaranteed on all bikes.
Electric Bike
Batavus Fuse E-go
- Stable frame with low entry, developed in collaboration with TU Delft
- 27 kg
- Upright handlebar (adjustable)
- Selle Royal Saddle
- 10-speed pedelec with Deore gearing
- Four levels of pedal assist
- Integrated battery (capacity of up to 625W) and Bosch mid-engine
- Aerflow light
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
Experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine.
Premium Sporty Trekking Bike
Koga Grand Tourer sporty trekking bike (or similar)
- Aluminum frame (lighter than the City Touring Bike at +/- 15 kg)
- Sportier riding position
- 27 speed (high-quality Shimano Deore)
- Flat pedal (pedals can be changed for personal pedals but clients must bring their own tools and put original pedals back on after use!)
- Disc brakes (Madura hydraulic)
- Selle Italia saddle
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
- Schwalbe marathon plus anti-puncture tire
- Equipped with QR code for scanning with your smart device
Road Bike
Montreal 74 Eddy Merckx or Blockhaus 67 Eddy Merckx
- Premium aluminum frame
- Racier riding position
- Dropdown handlebars
- Flat pedals (pedals can be changed for personal pedals but clients must bring their own tools and put original pedals back on after use!)
- Shimano Tiagra gearing
- Shimano Dura-Ace brakes
- Prologo Kapa saddle
- Continental Ultra Sport II 25 mm tires
Tandem
Victoria Spezial 8.7 tandem (limited number are available)
- Frame size is 48 cm
- Weight is 28 kg
- Flat handlebars
- Flat pedals (pedals can be changed for personal pedals but clients must bring their own tools and put original pedals back on after use!)
- 28-inch wheels
- 24 speed Shimano RD-T4000 or Nuvinci gearing
- Magura HS 11 brakes
- Schwalbe marathon plus anti-puncture tire
Family tandems (7-speed) are also available in limited number. Recommended for one adult and one child with a minimum body height of 125 cm.
Child’s Bike
Heer Road or Oxford child's bikes
- For children that are at least 125 cm and maximum height of 155 cm
- 24 or 26 inch
- 7 speed
- Hand brakes
- Rear racks
For children up to 30 months old (max. 15 KG) it is possible to rent a front child seat. This is not possible with e-bikes, due to the display.
For children older than 30 months (max. 22KG) it is possible to rent a rear child seat. This is also possible with e-bikes.
Child trailers (XLC Duo 2) can be rented for a maximum of two children who are up to 100 cm (max. 35 KG in total).
Child trailers are not possible in combination with e-bikes.Accessories
Included accessories on touring, hybrid, and electric bikes:
Front and rear lights
Defender lock with plug-in chain
Quick-release to adjust height of handlebars and saddle
Small puncture repair kit
One pannier- Height: 42 cm
- Depth front to the side: 17 cm
- Wide top: 32 cm
- Wide down: 23 cm
- Easy click-on/click-off system
Supplemental accessories:
- Helmet
- Pre-loaded GPS device
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 or 8 nights in the selected level of accommodations
- Luggage transfer, limited to one checked size bag per person, so please plan and pack accordingly. If you have additional pieces that need to be transfered, please inform us in advance. Supplement of €5 per extra item per luggage day will be incurred
- Detailed route descriptions and maps,
- GPS tracks (advanced reservation required)
- Tourist information
- Seven days a week service-hotline
- 24-speed touring bicycle with pannier bag (upgrade is possible, please see pricing)
- Premium emergency services (please see remarks for details)
What’s Not Included
- Lunches
- Dinners (available with supplement)
- Pre loaded GPS device (available with supplement)
- Ferry crossings
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2021
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday departures
April, May, & September
Daily departures
June, July, August
October dates possible as well. Just ask.
8-day Category A Category B Twin/double $ 1384 £ 781 $ 1,362 € 865 NZ$ 1483 kr 8907 $ 1,073 $ 1304 £ 736 $ 1,284 € 815 NZ$ 1397 kr 8392 $ 1,011 Single $ 1720 £ 971 $ 1,693 € 1075 NZ$ 1843 kr 11069 $ 1,334 $ 1640 £ 926 $ 1,614 € 1025 NZ$ 1757 kr 10554 $ 1,272 9-day Category A Category B Twin/double $ 1525 £ 861 $ 1,501 € 953 NZ$ 1634 kr 9813 $ 1,182 $ 1445 £ 815 $ 1,422 € 903 NZ$ 1548 kr 9298 $ 1,120 Single $ 1909 £ 1077 $ 1,879 € 1193 NZ$ 2045 kr 12284 $ 1,480 $ 1829 £ 1032 $ 1,800 € 1143 NZ$ 1959 kr 11769 $ 1,418 Supplements
Overnight in Amsterdam on Saturday $ 32 £ 18 $ 31 € 20 NZ$ 34 kr 206 $ 25 High season in Amsterdam (in addition to Saturday supplement) - April 2 - April 5, 2021
- April 16 & 17, 2021
- May 13 - May 15, 2020
- May 22 - May 24, 2021
$ 96 £ 54 $ 94 € 60 NZ$ 103 kr 618 $ 74 Extra Options
Extra night (breakfast only)
Any overnight town (except Amsterdam)
Amsterdam
Twin/double
$ 112 £ 63 $ 110 € 70 NZ$ 120 kr 721 $ 87
$ 120 £ 68 $ 118 € 75 NZ$ 129 kr 772 $ 93
Single
$ 160 £ 90 $ 157 € 100 NZ$ 171 kr 1030 $ 124
$ 200 £ 113 $ 197 € 125 NZ$ 214 kr 1287 $ 155
Extra day bike rental*
Standard touring bike $ 29 £ 16 $ 28 € 18 NZ$ 31 kr 185 $ 22 Premium touring bike $ 37 £ 21 $ 36 € 23 NZ$ 39 kr 237 $ 29 Electric bike rental $ 45 £ 25 $ 44 € 28 NZ$ 48 kr 288 $ 35 *If booking an extra night within the tour itinerary, you will also need to book an extra day bike rental. Price includes emergency breakdown service.
Supplements
8-day 9-day Electric bike (incl. emergency breakdown service $ 179 £ 101 $ 176 € 112 NZ$ 192 kr 1153 $ 139 $ 224 £ 126 $ 220 € 140 NZ$ 240 kr 1442 $ 174 Upgrade to premium touring bike (incl. emergency breakdown service $ 123 £ 70 $ 121 € 77 NZ$ 132 kr 793 $ 96 $ 160 £ 90 $ 157 € 100 NZ$ 171 kr 1030 $ 124 Road bike ( incl. emergency breakdown service) $ 123 £ 70 $ 121 € 77 NZ$ 132 kr 793 $ 96 $ 149 £ 84 $ 146 € 93 NZ$ 159 kr 958 $ 115 Dinners (seven) $ 364 £ 205 $ 358 € 228 NZ$ 390 kr 2343 $ 282 $ 416 £ 235 $ 409 € 260 NZ$ 446 kr 2677 $ 323 Helmet $ 16 £ 9 $ 16 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12 $ 16 £ 9 $ 16 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12 Preloaded GPS device $ 32 £ 18 $ 31 € 20 NZ$ 34 kr 206 $ 25 $ 32 £ 18 $ 31 € 20 NZ$ 34 kr 206 $ 25 †Tandem bike rental possible as well. Ask us!
††Child bike, child trailer, fun-trailer tag-along, and child seat available. Ask us!Surcharges
Upgrades, per person/per night, only available for Category A Double/twin/single NH Hotel, Bruges* $ 24 £ 14 $ 24 € 15 NZ$ 26 kr 154 $ 19 Westcord Art Hotel, Amsterdam $ 16 £ 9 $ 16 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12 *If you choose to upgrade to NH Hotel in Bruges, dinner cannot be included on this night. Discount will be applied if you have chosen the Dinner Included option.
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This is an easy-moderate self-guided tour partly on one of the most well-developed cycling path systems in the world. The route is predominantly rural and flat and passes through a number of nature reserves. Only because of a couple of days of plus 50 km cycling, we are categorizing the tour as easy-moderate. You will ride 212 miles (339 km) over 6 days of cycling. You can also extend this tour to 9 days to divide the longest day.
Airport Info
Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS) or Brussels International Airport (BRU).
Local Travel
AMS:
From the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam (AMS), you can take the train to Amsterdam Central. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter in the Arrival’s Hall of the airport, or at ticket machines located in the airport terminal (NS train station). From there you head down the escalator to the train terminal. The train ride from the airport to Amsterdam Central takes about 15-20 minutes and costs only a few Euros. Another option is a taxi which will cost between €40 - €50. In your final travel information, we will provide details on how to travel from the train station to your first hotel by public transportation. Of course, you can also take a taxi.
BRU:
From the Brussels Zaventem Airport (BRU), you can take the train to Amsterdam Central Train Station. The railway station is located under the airport building at level 1. Up to 16 trains a day will take you to Amsterdam via Dordrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague. Travel time is between 1 hour and 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on type of train.Climate
Please check local conditions before travel. The climate in Holland is considered maritime, greatly affected by the sea. Belgium as well is influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and moderate winters.
Recommended
It is recommended to upgrade your hotel in Dordrecht, as default 3* hotel is located outside of Dordrecht Center in a busier industrial area.
Remarks
Premium emergency service is included with this tour. In the event of mechanical failure, a support van service can be contacted and will come and repair the bike free of charge. If you are cycling with your own bike, and would like to include this service, please ask. In this case, you will be charged for any new spare parts. If the bike cannot be repaired on the spot, you will be provided transportation to your next destination. Two people plus bikes can be transferred.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Dutch Bike Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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