Tap to search

loading

North Holland's Landscapes and Seascapes (8 days)

  • 8days
  • Netherlands

Single bed room:
Twin bed room:
Double bed room:
Pay your deposit online
Bike & Barge Tours Europe
Print

Bike and Barge through North Holland's flat landscapes and beaches (Guided Cycling)

This gorgeous cycling cruise is guaranteed to help you understand why the Dutch say “God created the earth but the Dutch made Holland.” The tour takes you through “polder” landscapes: low-lying land that has been drained of its water – reclaimed from the sea – using dikes and windmills. That means you’ll cycle past plenty of windmills, as well as dune landscapes, long sandy beaches, and picturesque harbor towns along the coast of Ijsselmeer Lake. This is an unforgettable tour!

Highlights

  • Reclaimed land
  • Sandy Beaches of the North Sea through Texel
  • Open air museum Zaanse Schans
  • Former island of Marken
  • Amsterdam sightseeing
  • Quaint harbor villages 
  • Boutique ship (max 24 passengers)

Your accomodation:

When you’re not pedaling through the countryside or exploring Holland’s historical towns, you’ll enjoy the facilities of your boutique ship. There won’t be more than 24 passengers, which means you’ll get to know the crew and other passengers over meals and evening drinks in a hearty, warm and friendly atmosphere. You’ll dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board: fresh, local ingredients in meals prepared with care are the norm. You can make a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like.

Included in this tour:

  • 8 days/7 nights
  • 7 x breakfast
  • Packed lunches
  • 6 x 3-course dinner
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Welcome drink
  • Use of bed linen and towels
  • Daily cleaning of the cabin
  • Daily briefings
  • Fully guided cycling tours
  • Fees for ferries
  • Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
  • GPS tracks
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
  • Wi-Fi

Not included:

  • 1x Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
  • Helmet rental (10 EUR)
  • Personal insurances
  • Gratuities (at your discretion)
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • Transfers to/from the docking place
  • Parking fees
  • 1 hour canal cruise in Amsterdam (19 EUR). Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to pre-book this cruise. Tickets at the ticket desk are approx. 22 EUR. 
  • SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person

If you would like to rent an E-Bike (245 EUR) or a bike (91 EUR) + Helmet (10 EUR) please contact [email protected] when booking.

Notes:

  • Bicycle rent is optional
  • Self-Guided cycling is an option 
  • Level 1 cycling/ Distances are approximate 

Slow Tours Europe offers a range of Barge and Bike Tours in Europe

Read More

  • Day 1

    Amsterdam – Zaandam | Zaandam – Zaanse Schans (8 km/4 mi.)

    Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is at 2 p.m. near the center of Amsterdam. Around 3 p.m. the barge sails to Zaandam. For your first bike ride, the tour leader will take you the short distance to Zaanse Schans. This is an open-air museum with a collection of windmills, traditional wooden houses, and cheese and clog factories.

  • Day 2

    Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar (29 km/18 mi or 40 km/24 mi.)

    From Zaanse Schans you will cycle through the “Land of Leeghwater”, a green polder area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Hoorn. You’ll visit the former whaling village De Rijp and pass by the windmills of Schermerhorn. You’ll rejoin the ship near the historical city center of Alkmaar.

  • Day 3

    Alkmaar – St. Maartensvlotbrug – Den Helder (30 km/18 mi. or 53 km/32 mi.) | Den Helder – Texel

    Today you’ll leave Alkmaar via the artist village Bergen, then reach the North Sea to see the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a forest and dune area of 5,300 hectare (20 square miles). You’ll find the ship again in the naval port of Den Helder. Next, if the weather allows, you’ll sail with the ship across the Wadden Sea to the island of Texel, the largest Dutch island.

  • Day 4

    Texel, round trip (43 km/26 mi. or 48 km/29 mi.) | Texel – Medemblik

    No worries if the ship wasn’t able to cross to Texel. In that case, today you can cross via ferry to Texel. On the island you’ll cycle through some beautiful natural areas and through charming villages and landscapes in the south of the island. If you want, take a break along the way on a beautiful long beach. A suggestion: make a stop at the seal sanctuary and nature museum, Ecomare. At the end of the afternoon the ship will leave from Texel over the beautiful Wadden Sea back to the mainland, or else you’ll take the ferry back.

  • Day 5

    Medemblik – Enkhuizen (39 km/24 mi. or 51 km/31 mi.)

    After spending the night moored in Medemblik, you’ll cycle along the coast of the IJsselmeer. The IJsselmeer is a lake, but used to be part of the North Sea before a huge dike, the Afsluitdijk, cut it off from the sea. You’ll finish today’s ride in Enkhuizen, a picturesque old city that used to be a fishing and shipping port. It has a beautiful historic harbor and old center, and is home to the Zuiderzeemuseum, a great place to see what life was like in fishing ports like this. Dinner tonight (not included) will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).

  • Day 6

    Enkhuizen – Hoorn (23 km/14 mi. or 35 km/21 mi.)

    A shorter ride today, taking you to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn. This was one of the world’s most important harbors back in the 17th century. Enjoy the afternoon in Hoorn and take a stroll in the old city center.

  • Day 7

    Hoorn – Volendam | Volendam – Amsterdam (23 km/14mi. or 45 km/27 mi.)

    On this, the last day of your cycling tour, you’ll arrive in Volendam as you eat your breakfast. Today’s route will lead you through a particularly pretty area called Waterland, which is dotted with hundreds of small lakes and tiny canals. Early in the afternoon you’ll cycle back to Amsterdam. Spend the afternoon and evening enjoying Amsterdam’s sights or doing some last-minute shopping.

  • Day 8

    Amsterdam

    The last part of your tour is today, but we won’t let you leave with an empty stomach. So before disembarkation until 9.30 a.m., enjoy a nice breakfast first.

  • Read More

Tours marked with are special prices.

Start End Max. No. Guests Accommodation Price p.p.
May 03 2025 May 10 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
May 24 2025 May 31 2025 24 Single rooms 0€
Double rooms 1,329€
May 31 2025 Jun 07 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
Jun 07 2025 Jun 14 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
Jun 28 2025 Jul 05 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
Jul 05 2025 Jul 12 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
Jul 19 2025 Jul 26 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
Jul 26 2025 Aug 02 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
Sep 13 2025 Sep 20 2025 24 Single rooms 1,994€
Double rooms 1,329€
Sep 27 2025 Oct 04 2025 24 Single rooms 1,919€
Double rooms 1,279€

Car rental in Netherlands

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

Is this what you're looking for? We have other tours like this one.
TapClick here to get in touch with our friendly customer service.
Stay in the loop, find out about our upcoming Slow Tours and be inspired
  Follow us on Facebook

In Bike & Barge Tours Europe, you could also check out these tours

Friesland farmhouse
Bike & Barge Tours Europe
Discover Friesland - 8 Day Bike and Barge Tour (LM)
from 1,499€
Add this tour to your wishlist
Your wishlist is where you can save tours for later to view and compare prices
Read more
Maximum participants  24
The maximum capacity that this boat may carry is: 24 people
Saarburg waterfront
Bike & Barge Tours Europe
Saar & Mosel 8 Day Bike and Barge Tour (Guided)
from 1,410€
Add this tour to your wishlist
Your wishlist is where you can save tours for later to view and compare prices
Read more
Maximum participants  14
The maximum capacity that this boat may carry is: 14 people
Scroll Down
Send an Enquiry
Enquire
Send an enquiry