The beauty of The Netherlands goes far beyond Amsterdam itself. This bike tour may be all you need to stretch your legs and really get to know the Dutch people.
Getting to see The Netherlands out in the countryside is getting to know the real culture that powers
the city of Amsterdam. It is out in the tulip fields that you find the country’s heart. It is as you drive
through the quaint country villages that you realise the people here are peaceful, hardworking, and
blessed with beautiful land. Of course, this is The Netherlands, so when we say “drive” we don’t
mean on four wheels, but on two.
This bike tour of Amsterdam isn’t your usual city-streets and canals tour. Instead, this tour takes you
out through the winding roads of the Amsterdam countryside. Pass out through the suburbs and ride
an electric bike out to Zaanse Schans & Zaandam. This area of The Netherlands is known for the
gorgeous, antiquated, and colourful windmills that still turn here in the warm summer winds. You
could be part of that beautiful scenery. All you need to do is trust us and pedal.
What’s Included in the Countryside Bike Tour
When you decide to choose a countryside tour of Amsterdam by bike as your next big adventure, you get to spend 4.5 hours cycling down narrow country roads. Since this is The Netherlands and everyone is on a bike, this is not nearly as dangerous as it sounds, or as it might be if it was a UK based bike tour. We all love a good dangerous back road here in Britain.
Moving on.
This tour allows you to see the historic 17th and 18th century windmills out in the Zaan Region. Let’s look more closely at the exact itinerary so you know what you can expect to see as you ride.
The Itinerary
The starting point for this cycling tour of Zaanse Schans and Zaandam is outside WheelGood Bike repairs and rental, in Amsterdam city centre. They are just behind Amsterdam Centraal Station. You go from here to the first site, which is the ferry terminal. The ferry will take you across the IJ river, so you can get out of the right side of town. You will see your first windmill before you get out of the city proper.
The first real site is the stone grinding windmill at the workshop Krijtmolen d’Admiral. This is a chalk grinding shop and beautifully decorated mill. Reviewers say it is not officially working any longer. However, they do open the doors on the second Saturday of every month from 10 am until 3 pm to the public. Occasionally a volunteer miller works the mill. If you are lucky, you might get to see it in action.
Once you are done with the chalk mill, you move on to Landsmeer. This little known area forms a ring road around Amsterdam, just above the main roads. This municipality is known for pretty cottages in a unique, interesting, and culturally accurate Dutch town. Situated in North Holland, this area is best known for the Iiperveld peat bogs.
After you are finished exploring the natural peat bog habitats, you will hop back on the bikes and stop at the Het Twiske recreational area for a while. This area features woodland, meadows, and parkland all to the north of Amsterdam. This fabulous stretch runs between Zaanstad and Purmerend. It’s best known for biking.
You will next visit the Zaanse Schans windmills we have ranted and raved about all the way through this article. After visiting the 16 historic working windmills, you will move on to Zaandam.
Zaandam is a medium sized city that you find in Northern Holland. It has loads of different attractions you can enjoy away from the usual city. They have clog workshops, a cheese farm, And beautifully designed buildings. Stop here to enjoy the colourful architecture in the Holland style. Live a little and buy some cheese. You can even enjoy the local fishery if you are so inclined.
After this, you return on the ferry back over to Amsterdam Centraal station. You can visit the station if you like, but 4.5 hours into a cycling tour you are going to want to wrap it up – even if the bikes are electric. From the station it’s smooth travels back to base, where you can do it all again the next day if you choose to.
The Details
This countryside bike tour of Zaanse Schans and Zaandam gives you an insight into local life and culture. Here are the details of the deal so you can be ready to indulge:
- Cycling tour that lasts 5.5 hours
- Minimum height of 4 foot 11 for bike reasons
- Electric bikes so you don’t struggle to pedal
- You can get a full refund by cancelling 24 hours or more before the beginning of the tour
- Tours are available in English
- You have the use of an electric bike included in the price
- You have your own tour guide included in the price
Other things you might need
There are things you may need for this tour which are not included in the price. These might be:
- Food and water
- Raincoats and warm clothing in bad weather
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible; you must be physically mobile to take part
- They won’t cancel unless weather is extreme
Where to Book the Countryside Electric Bike Tour?
You can book the countryside bike tour of Amsterdam right here. We aim to bring you all the best in delicious deals, opulent accommodations, and excellent Amsterdam attractions. We have a great track record, too. We haven’t let you down yet.
The Lilly Likes Zaanse Schans Bike Tour Experience
The reason we are reviewing this bike tour is because @LillyLikesuk co-founder Phil took it while in Amsterdam a few weeks back. He loved the trek out through those gorgeous floral fields and admired the windmills of Zaanse Schans – not for the first time. The windmills are a hauntingly beautiful experience that we would love to repeat in future.
The Group Atmosphere
One of the best things about this tour is the people that you meet along the way. The tour lasts for 4 hours and 30 minutes, so you have lots of time to get to know the people you are riding with. On Phil’s tour, he met people from the UK, a couple from the Ukraine, a family from the USA and a couple from Paris. You never quite know who you are going to meet on your next Amsterdam tour. It could even be the love of your life… cycle… see what we did there?
The Guides
The tours are given by local guides who know the area well. Many of them are Amsterdam based and all of them have the gift of the gab. Our founder met tour guide Kendra who was knowledgeable about the whole ride. Better than knowledgeable, Kendra is a stand up comedienne who owns the firm but loves to give tours. If that doesn’t make for a side-splitting show, we don’t know what does.
The Pedalling
So, you might be put off this tour because you think that 4.5 hours of pedalling is too much. If you are fit and active, this isn’t the case. You could probably cycle that far on your own anyway but add to the adventure that the bikes are electric, and it makes things much easier. You hardly need to pedal on the uphill slants, not that Amsterdam has many of those. The flat countryside makes pedalling easier still, so you can enjoy the tour and not feel completely wiped out when you get there.
Don’t forget that Kendra and the other guides are trained in going at a pace that suits you.
The Location
The windmills of Zaanse Schans are internationally renowned as a picturesque place to visit. Built during the 17th and 18th centuries, this region was responsible for grain, cheese, and dairy products. The town and windmills feature the old Zaan style, which leads you through winding roads to local craft shops and dairy farms. People here sell flowers and tinware. You will pass by authentic olden-day Dutch houses and cottages perched on the water like fairy homes. Idyllic doesn’t quite cover it.
s the Countryside Bike Tour of Zaanse Schans Right for You?
If you are in #Amsterdam and want something a little different to do, then this countryside tour could be right up your countryside lane. It’s a fun alternative to the usual bike tours of Amsterdam which take you down the crowded city streets. If, like our Phil, you spend a lot of time in Amsterdam and you have visited all the usual suspects, this tour gives you a nice unique take on the Dutch countryside. Go along, pedal for your life, meet new friends, and see some stunning cottages and windmills. What could be more Dutch than that?
