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7-day Self-guided Cycling Tour along the 'Pearls of Holland' Level 1
Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda are among our cyclists’ all-time favourite cities. Each of them offer unique experiences awhilst brimming with that typical Olde Holland character.
We have decided to combine them into this one route for the ultimate cultural bike holiday. Cycling distances are relatively short allowing more time for sightseeing and museums.
Although you will stay within the Randstad conurbation you’ll discover how rural and quiet the countryside can be, where polders, windmills, bulb flower fields (in spring!), lakes and rivers take the spotlight. In short, this route stands for seven days of enjoying cultural gems and idyllic countryside.
If you would like to rent a Hybrid Bike (78 EUR) or E-Bike (162 EUR), please contact [email protected] when booking
Slow Tours offers a number of other Cycling Tours in Europe
Arrival in Amsterdam
Get here early and opt to wander around the gorgeous and surprisingly peaceful seventeenth century canal ring area (World Heritage Site). If you like bustle, make your way to the city’s famous squares: Dam, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Should you prefer to roam off the beaten track, saunter up Brouwersgracht or hire a canal bike and find out what the city looks like from the water.
Amsterdam-Haarlem (29 km)
Get an early start and beat the queues at the Van Gogh or Anne Frank museum. At the end of the morning, say "tot ziens!” to amazing Amsterdam and mount your bike to journey through Kennemerland where a great variety of lovely countryside awaits: vast polders, wild(life) gardens, country estates, woods and beautiful peatland. You will stay the night in the elegant city of Haarlem. The attractive city centre offers a wealth of possibilities for shopping, delving into art and culture, or relaxing in cafes and restaurants. In April and early May, you have the option of cycling a longer route of ca. 60 km where you can see the tulip fields.
Haarlem - Leiden (43 km)
Downtown Haarlem deserves to be explored thoroughly. We recommend a city walk to discover the city’s hidden "hofjes”. A hofje is a square of tiny almshouses set around an idyllic courtyard, often built by the church or by private charity to house single older women. Also dating back to the Dutch Golden Age, the works of Haarlem painter Frans Hals (group portraiture) and his townsmen including Jacob Ruysdael (land- and seascapes) and Pieter Saenredam (church interiors) are on display at the Frans Hals museum.
In the afternoon get set for a colourful bike trip through the Dune and Bulb Region. Try to time this holiday before mid-May to capture the bulb flower fields in their full splendour! Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are grown here commercially (for bulb export) and temporarily transform the landscape into one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions. Should you want to spend a day at world famous Keukenhof flower exhibition, we recommend you book an extra night in Leiden. Leiden is our oldest university town. It has a very busy cultural events calendar and a friendly city centre with canals, monuments windmills and museums. The historical botanical gardens get special mention.
Leiden - Delft (24 km)
After taking your leave of lively Leiden, peace and quiet will reign once more in today’s typically Dutch scenery. Note all the orderly rectangles in this man-made polder landscape (mostly peatland reclamations). Let shining lakes and green pastures, old windmills and farmhouses pass you by whilst pedalling on to the famous city of Delft. The melancholy charm of historical Delft is breathtaking. Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware. But did you know that painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) lived in Delft all his life? The Vermeer Centre gives illuminating insights into his life, works and city (no original paintings on show here).
Delft - Gouda (32 km)
This stretch of the tour takes you through the Green Heart: a stronghold against urban sprawl in Randstad conurbation. Balancing atop polder dikes, delight in characteristic villages, far horizons and pleasingly strict rectangles cut by ditches in fields of vibrant green. As you wander around the city of Gouda at the end of the day, don’t miss the gothic town hall (1450), the Weighing House (1667), the romantic inner city canals and the stained glass windows in St. John’s Church. Gouda is also famous for making syrup waffles (try one hot!) and candles. If you’re travelling in Summer, plan your trip so that you can witness the traditional Thursday morning cheese market at the start of Day 6 (early April till last Thursday in August).
Gouda - Amsterdam (80 km)
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, get back on your bike and set off on the longest leg of this bike tour. Bird lovers bring your binoculars. Once again, switch on your five senses to fully enjoy the characteristic countryside of the Green Heart. Drift past meadows, lakes and small villages. Can you hear the wind in the rushes? Did you see the clouds reflected in the lake? Are you feeling peckish? In that case, do stop to sample Dutch style apple tart with your coffee! Thus fortified, continue on your way back to Amsterdam pursuing beautiful River Amstel.
Should the prospect of 80 km be rather daunting, opt to split this leg by booking an extra night in Woerden (making two legs: 43 km and 49 km).
Return home
Your cycling holiday has come to an end. Enjoy a big hearty breakfast one last time – don’t forget to try chocolate sprinkles! – and then it’s time to go home.
We fell in love with the Netherlands on this trip. Everything went exactly as planned. The bikes and GPS were ready when we checked into the hotel. The routes went through all the most lovely places —past blooming hyacinth fields that smelled lovely, classic windmills, charming estates, villages full of thatched roof homes, and endless canals. The weather was rainy and windy and cold, but the warmth of the people and the beautiful country made up for that, and the weather did not dampen our spirits. We had a wonderful time. - 2022
Tours marked with are special prices.
Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
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Jun 07 2023 | Jun 13 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 08 2023 | Jun 14 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 09 2023 | Jun 15 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 10 2023 | Jun 16 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 11 2023 | Jun 17 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 12 2023 | Jun 18 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 13 2023 | Jun 19 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 14 2023 | Jun 20 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 15 2023 | Jun 21 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 16 2023 | Jun 22 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 17 2023 | Jun 23 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 18 2023 | Jun 24 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 19 2023 | Jun 25 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 20 2023 | Jun 26 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 21 2023 | Jun 27 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 22 2023 | Jun 28 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 23 2023 | Jun 29 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 25 2023 | Jul 01 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 26 2023 | Jul 02 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 27 2023 | Jul 03 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 28 2023 | Jul 04 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 29 2023 | Jul 05 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jun 30 2023 | Jul 06 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 01 2023 | Jul 07 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 02 2023 | Jul 08 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 03 2023 | Jul 09 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 04 2023 | Jul 10 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 05 2023 | Jul 11 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 06 2023 | Jul 12 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 07 2023 | Jul 13 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 08 2023 | Jul 14 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 09 2023 | Jul 15 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 10 2023 | Jul 16 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 11 2023 | Jul 17 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 12 2023 | Jul 18 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 13 2023 | Jul 19 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 14 2023 | Jul 20 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 15 2023 | Jul 21 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 16 2023 | Jul 22 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 17 2023 | Jul 23 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 18 2023 | Jul 24 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 19 2023 | Jul 25 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 20 2023 | Jul 26 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 21 2023 | Jul 27 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 22 2023 | Jul 28 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 23 2023 | Jul 29 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 24 2023 | Jul 30 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 25 2023 | Jul 31 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 26 2023 | Aug 01 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 27 2023 | Aug 02 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 28 2023 | Aug 03 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 29 2023 | Aug 04 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 30 2023 | Aug 05 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Jul 31 2023 | Aug 06 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 01 2023 | Aug 07 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 02 2023 | Aug 08 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 03 2023 | Aug 09 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 04 2023 | Aug 10 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 05 2023 | Aug 11 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 06 2023 | Aug 12 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 07 2023 | Aug 13 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 08 2023 | Aug 14 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 09 2023 | Aug 15 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 10 2023 | Aug 16 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 11 2023 | Aug 17 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 12 2023 | Aug 18 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 13 2023 | Aug 19 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 14 2023 | Aug 20 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 15 2023 | Aug 21 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 16 2023 | Aug 22 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 17 2023 | Aug 23 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 18 2023 | Aug 24 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 19 2023 | Aug 25 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 28 2023 | Sep 03 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 29 2023 | Sep 04 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 30 2023 | Sep 05 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Aug 31 2023 | Sep 06 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 01 2023 | Sep 07 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 02 2023 | Sep 08 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 03 2023 | Sep 09 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 04 2023 | Sep 10 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 05 2023 | Sep 11 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 06 2023 | Sep 12 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 07 2023 | Sep 13 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 08 2023 | Sep 14 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 20 2023 | Sep 26 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 21 2023 | Sep 27 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 22 2023 | Sep 28 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 23 2023 | Sep 29 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ | |||||
Sep 24 2023 | Sep 30 2023 | 12 | Single rooms | 875€ | ||
Double rooms | 695€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
I know everyone probably says this, but nothing can prepare you for how stunning the bulb fields are when you first experience them. Smelling the hycynths from half a kilometer away, the colors, and rows that practically go as far as you can see. It is unreal. I would definitely say it something everyone should see at least once. Though phenomenally busy, Keukenhof is also a must see. This is not to take anything away from other parts of the trip: the pastoral beauty of the Groene Hart, quiet villages like Oudewater (note: Oudewater is only visited in combation with the extra overnight in Woerden), and regular neighborhoods we rolled through that most tourists would never see but gave us a better appreciation of how many people live in the Netherlands. - 2022