perfect trip!
Amsterdam – Bruges
Bike Tour: Amsterdam – Bruges - 8 days
A supreme cycling tour from the Netherlands down into Belgium, gliding past historic towns, villages and canals – all on high-quality bike paths! Riding from Amsterdam to Bruges, you'll find those delightful places you would otherwise never chance upon.
Take off from Amsterdam in a south-westerly direction. Fill your photo album with portraits of the most picturesque towns in the Netherlands and Flanders: Gouda, Dordrecht, Willemstad, Zierikzee, Middelburg, Vlissingen (Flushing), Sluis, Damme and ultimately Bruges. All remarkably well-preserved gems, evocative of centuries past. And on a more natural note: this predominantly rural cycling tour takes in a number of nature reserves.
This is a linear tour! Also available with Bruges as the starting point. Generally speaking, there is more chance of tailwind if you start the trip in Bruges (although obviously, we can not control the weather!)
Want to see more of Belgium? Ask about the possibilities for extra cycling days to Ghent and Antwerp or visit the site of our other label Belgian Biketours.
Please be aware that it is not always possible to start/ finish with a bike rental in every location, our bike supplier cannot deliver the bikes everywhere. When you want to rent our bikes, please check with us which starting/ending location in Belgian is suitable.
Your cycling holiday begins in Amsterdam, with its gorgeous 400-year-old canal district; a myriad of museums such as the new Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank; street artists and performers on Dam, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein; and the renowned red-light district. The city brims with things to see and do and you couldn’t hope for a more dynamic way to start your trip. Arrange for an early arrival to allow time for the elegant tree-lined canals, tall narrow townhouses and 17th-century canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From bustling Amsterdam, plunge into the peace and quiet of the Groene Hartâ or Green Heart, a pleasant rural area of low-lying polders, peat meadows and grazing cattle. A flat, open landscape where church spires and windmills touch the horizon and clouds are reflected in lakes and canals. For centuries, people have flocked to markets in Gouda, coming from far and wide to buy horses, cows, meat, turf, seed, cheese, etc. Take an evening stroll around the Old Town, soak up the yesteryear atmosphere and marvel at the attractive market square, 15th-century town hall and Weighing House or Waag.
From Gouda, cycle via the 'Green Heart of Holland' to Kinderdijk, where 19 windmills have majestically stood the test of time since 1740. These mills were formerly used to drain excess water out of the low-lying polder and pump it up to the River Lek, and one of them is open to the public. Your destination Papendrecht is just a ferry crossing away from Dordrecht, one of Holland’s oldest towns, surrounded entirely by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across into the heart of town, where monumental buildings line the harbour.
A short 3km stretch leads to your hotel in Papendrecht, situated on the north bank of the river just outside Dordrecht town centre.
The result of a major 1421 flood, Biesbosch is one of Europe’s few wetland habitats where the ecosystem has adapted to both salt water, coming in from the sea through tidal creeks, and fresh water, flowing down through the rivers. This ever-changing labyrinth of creeks and rivulets encompasses countless little islands of willows and reeds, a paradise for birds. Ride along at the edge of the National Park, then round off your day in Willemstad, a fortified town in the shape of a seven-pointed star.
Please note: Biesbosch Park can only be cycled on days the ferry runs. There is an alternate route for days with no ferry departure.
Today you enter Zeeland, a province marked by light, wind, water and lots of space. Criss-cross this region made up of islands, taking bridges and ferries as you drift down toward Belgium. Storybook towns with ancient houses and cobbled streets await in the coming days, as you traverse a patchwork landscape of vast polders, idyllic countryside, rolling dunes and golden sand flats.
Delight in a wander down the narrow lanes of Zierikzee. Quaint little houses take you back in time, recalling the glory days when ships set sail with salt, wool, fish, grain and red dye, as far afield as the Baltic and Mediterranean. Your route continues in charming Veere, a distributor of Scottish wool way back in 1541. For 300 years, such commerce brought prosperity to the town, along with a lively expat community. Walk in their footsteps, as you tour the local sights. Cruising further south you discover the nostalgic splendour of Middelburg, capital of Zeeland and one of the Netherlands’ most important trading centres in the 16th and 17th centuries.
After a hearty breakfast, cycle onward to Vlissingen then hop on a ferry to Zeelandic Flanders with its winding country roads, pollard willows, moist meadows and scattered villages. Cutting across the border into Belgium, you will reach charming little 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! This truly enchanting destination has been welcoming tourists for some 150 years. With most of its medieval architecture intact, the exceptionally well-preserved town centre exudes a sense of times gone by when it was at the heart of the European wool and fabric trade.
After breakfast your cycling holiday has come to an end.
Starting dates:
Daily from April 1 till September 23.
Please note: a minimum stay of 2 nights in a row is required in the hotel in Amsterdam on the following dates (and a higher price will be charged):
April 18-20 2025
April 25-26 2025
May 29-31 2025
June 6-8 2025
June 21-22 2025
June 24-25 2025
August 29-31 2025
| Price pp | € | |
| Double room, breakfast | 875.00 | |
| Single room, breakfast | 29 Mar 2025 - 30 Sep 2025 | 1,365.00 |
| Extra night double room, breakfast only | 80.00 | |
| Upgrades pp/night | € | |
| Fletcher Hotel Arion, Vlissingen | 55.00 | |
| Hotel NH Brugge, Brugge | 20.00 | |
| Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda, Gouda | 100.00 | |
| Westcord Art Hotel, Amsterdam | 10.00 | |
| Surcharge per person | € | |
| Stay in Amsterdam on Saturday | 25.00 | |
| Stay in Amsterdam from:
29 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 06 Jun 2025 - 08 Jun 2025 21 Jun 2025 - 22 Jun 2025 24 Jun 2025 - 25 Jun 2025 29 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025 |
40.00 | |
| Rental bike | € | |
| Child bike | 77.00 | |
| Hybrid | 91.00 | |
| E-bike | 196.00 | |
| Extra services | € | |
| Bike Breakdown pass | € 4.00 x 7 | 28.00 |
| Child seat | € 5.00 x 7 | 35.00 |
| Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 7 | 21.00 |
| E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 7 | 42.00 |
| Extra luggage | € 5.00 x 7 | 35.00 |
| Tag-along bike | € 10.00 x 7 | 70.00 |
| Child trailer | € 18.00 x 7 | 126.00 |
| Bike helmet | per piece | 10.00 |
| SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
| discount | per piece | -20.00 |
Starting point:
Amsterdam
Starting dates:
Daily from April 1 till September 23.
Please note: a minimum stay of 2 nights in a row is required in the hotel in Amsterdam on the following dates (and a higher price will be charged):
April 20th 2024
April 26th and 27th 2024
May 9, 10th and 11th 2024
May 17th, 18th and 19th 2024
| Price pp | € | |
| Double room, breakfast | 835.00 | |
| Single room, breakfast | 1,325.00 | |
| Extra night double room, breakfast only | 80.00 | |
| Surcharge per person | € | |
| Stay in Amsterdam on Saturday | 25.00 | |
| Stay in Amsterdam from:
29 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 06 Jun 2025 - 08 Jun 2025 21 Jun 2025 - 22 Jun 2025 24 Jun 2025 - 25 Jun 2025 29 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025 |
40.00 | |
| Rental bike | € | |
| Child bike | 77.00 | |
| Hybrid | 91.00 | |
| E-bike | 196.00 | |
| Extra services | € | |
| Bike Breakdown pass | € 4.00 x 7 | 28.00 |
| Child seat | € 5.00 x 7 | 35.00 |
| Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 7 | 21.00 |
| E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 7 | 42.00 |
| Extra luggage | € 5.00 x 7 | 35.00 |
| Tag-along bike | € 10.00 x 7 | 70.00 |
| Child trailer | € 18.00 x 7 | 126.00 |
| Bike helmet | per piece | 10.00 |
| SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
| discount | per piece | -20.00 |
Starting point:
Amsterdam
The hotels or B&Bs on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain accommodation is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a comparable alternative.
When selecting the accomodation, we try to take into account as much as possible a safe and closed bicycle shed. However, we cannot do this with all of them guarantee and this partly depends on the number of bicycles of other guests.
www.schuddebeurs.nl
Be aware that the restaurant of the hotel is very populair so advance reservations is recommended. There is no other restaurant nearby. The nearest alternatives are in Zierikzee, 3 km away.
If you don’t bring your own bike, you can rent one from us. Our touring bikes are 27-speed gear. You can find all the information regarding our rental bikes below.
You will find your rental bike waiting for you at your first hotel. The hotel reception staff will give you the keys for your bikes and direct you to the bicycle shed. All bikes are provided with chain locks.
Why the Dutch don't wear helmets!
Instruction video hybrid bike and e-bike
Our hybrid bikes have 27-gears with hand brakes.
The hybrid bikes are circa 16,5 KG.
The e-bikes have a small electric engine and battery, which can be charged at the hotels. You still have to pedal: it just makes pedaling much easier. Some experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine. The weight of the e-bike is ca. 25 KG. We recommend a minimum height of 160 cm for the e-bike.
For children who are at least 120 cm, we can also arrange bikes (these are 24”or 26” for children that are bigger than 140 cm).
The child bikes come with at least 7-gears and hand brakes.
The maximum body height for a child’s bike is 155 cm.
24" child bike:
26" child bike:
All our rental bikes come with a bell.
Brakes
All our adult bikes come with hand brakes.
Childseat
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.
Both front- and rear child seats are €5,- per day.
Helmet
Helmets are not mandatory in the Netherlands, but can be rented for €10,- per piece.
Available sizes: Adult: 54-61 cm, Child: 50-55 cm (only available for children over 5 years).
Lights
All our bikes come with both front- and rear lights. You need to push the button on the lamp and it will flash three times. This means that the lights will automatically start working when it gets dark.
When you push again, the lamp will flash one time and the lights will be turned off.
Locks
Our bikes come with a defender lock with plug in chain (cable lock that is attached to the regular lock, see picture).
You need to turn the key a bit, take out the pin from the cable lock and attach it to a pole/other bike/fence etc.
When you push the pin back into the regular lock, you need to lock the regular lock as you always do, and both locks will be secured.
Pannier
1 pannier is included at the 'standard' bikes and the e-bikes.
Height: 42 cm
Depth front to the side: 17 cm
Wide top: 32 cm
Wide down: 23 cm
Volume: 20 liters
It has an easy click-on/click-off system. The panniers are water resistant, so everything will stay dry.
Pedals
The rental bikes come with regular pedals, so no click-in/SPD pedals.
Quickrelease
All our bikes come with a quick release system, which makes it very easy to adjust the height of the saddle and the handle bars.
Repairkit
There is one small puncture kit included, which can be found in the pannier. In case a rental bike has another problem, we always advise you to go to a bike repair shop or call the bike breakdown emergency number which is provided in the travel documents when you book this extra service.
Saddle
Saddles can be adjusted in height without using any tools, see ‘Quick Release’.
Our saddles don’t come with a gel cover.
Waterbottles
Dutch Biketours does not provide water bottles. We can also not guarantee that there are bottle holders on the bikes. You will always receive 1x pannier, so you can always store your water bottle in your pannier.
We have limited family tandem bikes available on request.
The family tandems have 7-gears and can be used for one adult and one child with a minimum body height of 125 cm.
A tag-along bike is a good option for children between approx. 100 cm and 125 cm, as they can pedal themselves and on their own pace but don’t have to worry about other traffic.
Child trailers can be rented for a maximum of two children who are up to 100 cm (max. 35 KG in total).
We mostly use the XLC Duo 2 child trailer.
Child trailers are not possible in combination with e-bikes.
Mile after wonderful mile of untroubled cycling is what we would wish our clients. However there is a minimal chance of breakdown along the way. If this thought is a nagging worry to you, a Bicycle Breakdown Assistance insurance policy may ease your mind. If you buy this insurance from our partner ANWB pechhulp in advance, their service is as follows. The costs are €4,- per bicycle per day. If your bike breaks down by the roadside an ANWB bicycle repair man will drive to you in his repair van and fix your bike so you can continue your tour. You won’t have to pay him repair costs. If you are cycling on your own bicycle you will be charged for any new spare parts your bike may require. If you are renting a bicycle through Dutch Bike Tours any new parts are at our expense. If it turns out the bicycle cannot be repaired on the spot, or if you can't continue cycling, the repairman can drop you off somewhere in his van. One companion plus bikes may join you in the van.
Do you wish to insure your bike against theft? The cost is € 3,- per day per standard hybrid bicycle.
For an electric bicycle, premium bike or racing bike: € 6,00 per day per bicycle.
Please see the General Terms and Conditions for Bicycle Hire and Insurance.
If a rental bike gets stolen or damaged, we will hold the client responsible.
If your insurance does not cover this event, you will have to pay the costs yourself.
Article 1 Bike Rental Price
The bike rental price is determined by the rates mentioned on the Dutch Bike Tours website at the time of the booking; or as subsequently agreed.
Article 2 Payment
a. The rental price and any other due sums regarding the rental agreement must be paid before the bike is handed over to you.
b. If, for whatever reason, you cannot make use of the bike(s) you have rented, Dutch Bike Tours will not be held responsible for any resulting expenses or damage.
c. In the case of the article 2b, the client remains obliged to pay the full rental price and any other amounts mentioned in the invoice, in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Booking, unless the client can prove that his not being able to use the bike was the consequence of a defect that was already present at the beginning of the rental period.
Article 3 Rental Period
a. The rental period runs from the morning of the first cycling day (day 2) to the end of the holiday (the departure day), as stated in the booking confirmation.
b. Extension of the rental period is possible only after approval by us and according to the (extension) rates as mentioned in article 1.
c. No refunds are possible after the rental period begins. If you return the bike(s) to us before the end of your holiday, the rental agreement will automatically be terminated and you will not get any of your money back.
d. At the end of the last cycling day of your holiday, the bike(s) must be returned to the hotel from where it was/they were issued, no later than the time stated in the booking confirmation.
If you book a one way tour tour you can leave the bike at the last hotel of the trip.
e. If the bike(s) is /are not returned by the return time stated in the booking confirmation, we will continue to charge you rent until such time as the bike(s) is/are returned to us or is/are received by us. In the event of late return, the rates as mentioned in article 1 will continue to apply, plus a fine of €25 per day. We also reserve the right to demand payment for any costs and/or damages suffered by us due to late return of our rental bike(s).
f. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of late return of our rental bikes, we reserve the right to dissolve the rental agreement without judicial intervention and immediately claim back our bicycles where ever they may be and from whomever has them. Dutch Bike Tours also holds this right in the event that the client does not comply with any of the other conditions stated in this rental agreement.
Article 4 Improper Use
a. The bicycle(s) may only be used for its/their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the rental agreement.
b. The bike(s) must be returned to us in the same (clean!) state in which you received it/them.
c. You must take excellent care of the bicycle(s), as if it/they were your own. You must take every precaution against damage, loss or theft.
d. The bicycle may not be used on the beach; or on sandy paths in the dunes unless a paved path is unavailable.
Article 5 Damage, Loss and Theft
The renter will be held responsible for damages to or loss of the bicycle(s) or parts of it, as well as bicycle keys and chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. You must understand that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.
Article 6 Theft Insurance
It is possible to purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance. Covered are: damages arising out of the theft of the bicycle; and damages to the bicycle as a consequence of the theft. Not covered are: theft of bicycle parts; and damages arising out of attempted theft.
Article 7 Theft Insurance Premium
a. The premium for Bicycle Theft Insurance is € 3,00 per day per standard hybrid bicycle. For an electric bicycle € 6,00 per day as well for a Premium bike and racing bike.
The number of insurance days is the same as the number of cycling days as stated in our booking confirmation.
Article 8 Liability in the Event of Theft
a. If you did not purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us before the start of the holiday, you will be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
b. If you did purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us, but you failed to lock the wheel lock and failed to produce the original wheel lock key and failed to produce an official theft report drawn up by the police, you will still be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
Article 9 Costs During the Rental Period
Any charges and taxes regarding the rental bicycle(s), such as fines and ferry tickets, are to be paid by you. You will also be required to pay all costs ensuing from the use of the bicycle(s) such as parking fees, maintenance and repairs.
7 Nights included
3/4 Star Hotels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included
Detailed roadbooks with maps and tourist information
Rental bikes available
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transport to your next hotel
not included:
Amsterdam Sloterdijk / Amsterdam CS
Bruges - Amsterdam via Antwerpen. For more information:
Parking available at the hotel
Route information available in our app
Ferry crossings are not included
Train back to Amsterdam is not included
The nearest airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
The train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Sloterdijk departs 6 times per hour. Travel time is about 10 minutes. A single ticket costs approx €4,- per person excl. bicycle.
For timetables and tickets, go to www.ns.nl/en. For bus details, how to reach the hotel, check : www.9292.nl/en.
Bruges is the final destination of this tour. You can fly back from Belgium, or take the train back to Schiphol Airport.
19-05-2025
14-05-2025
We had not cycled in the Netherlands before and were extremely impressed by the brilliant paths and signposting. The information pack and maps provided were very comprensive, including detailed routing to each of our hotels. This was greatly appreciated at the end of a long day. We were concerned cycling out of Amsterdam would be difficult but this went really well. The overall route was varied and went through many interesting places. The organisation by DBT was outstanding, including quick responses to unusual questions such as saddle size. We were given a friendly welcome at all the hotels. Thank you to everyone involved.
10-05-2025
Cycling through the Netherlands is amazing and magical. And anybody can do it, because the country is SO flat, and the bike lanes are SO amazing! The green circle map is strange (if you're from the US, like our group was) but it becomes easy to follow and very familiar very quickly. It's quite an amazing system! Each town we passed through was cuter than the last one. Make sure to download and use the Guibo app. It came in very handy a number of times. I loved how it routed us through each cute town, versus around and/or away from the town. And the maps and app had plenty of suggestions for places to stop to eat or get coffee. The bikes are heavy. Make sure to ask for one that has recently been maintained, as mine was not (but the other 4 in our group were fine). I would highly recommend this trip to anybody!
29-09-2024
We had a wonderful trip in the Netherlands, where cycling is a way of life and the bicycle infrastructure is simply incredible. The route covers many types of terrain, from lush fields with multiple canals, to biking along a seaside dike or 5 km bridge. The accommodations were all excellent and provided hearty breakfasts, perfect for days of biking. The historic communities are all a bit different and have their own points of interest.
22-09-2024
We had perfect weather and the most amazing trip we could have imagined. The routes were scenic as we rode through countryside and small villages in the Netherlands. We will never forget this trip, organized perfectly by Dutch bike tours.
11-09-2024
An absolutely wonderful adventure for the 4 of us making memories for life ! Dutch Bike Tours helped to make this trip accessible for 2 of us handcyclists in the group by welcoming us with open arms. They arranged everything and made sure we would be able to access everything. The hotels were great and all of the ferries were accessible for handcycles. Definitely the best way to see the Netherlands and into Bruges, seeing all of the beautiful countryside, villages and towns. We would definitely love to do another trip..!
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Amsterdam – Bruges
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info@dutch-biketours.com
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