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Lonely Planet Experiences: Amsterdam Bike Culture Off the Beaten Path Tour
Recommended for your Amsterdam trip
Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
3 hours (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
Overview
Enhance your sightseeing experience of Amsterdam on a 3-hour bicycle tour of the dazzling Dutch capital. With a knowledgeable guide, stray from the conventional tourist trail to explore lesser-known neighborhoods home to landmarks like the Maritime Museum and the Rikjsmuseum. Weave your way through charming districts like Jordaan; gain fascinating insight into the rich historical heritage of Amsterdam. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 12 cyclists.
- 3-hour off-the-beaten path tour of Amsterdam by bike
- Experience Amsterdam's bike culture as celebrated in Pete Jordan’s book In the City of Bikes
- Explore quirky districts such as the old Jewish quarter and bohemian, canal-lined Jordaan
- See landmarks such as the Rijksmuseum, Maritime Museum and Amstel sluice
- Hear tales of the city’s wartime cycle-based hunger treks and other stories
- Small-group tour with a maximum of 12 people ensures a personalized experience
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
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Greet your professional guide at a central Amsterdam location and receive an interesting introduction to Amsterdam’s obsession with two-wheeled vehicles, a passion emphasized in Pete Jordan’s bestselling book In the City of Bikes.
After a short safety talk, cycle through Amsterdam’s glamorous financial district and pass buildings like the Old Dutch East India Company. Listen to illuminating commentary from your knowledgeable guide as you glide past quaint bridges, winding waterways and landmarks like the de Gooyer windmill and the Rijksmuseum.
Admire the Maritime Museum, housed in a beautifully preserved 17th-century naval storehouse and then climb aboard a ferry travelling to north Amsterdam, a vibrant area that has recently undergone a radical transformation.
Cycle around the protective dijks and then enjoy a whistle-stop tour of places mentioned in Jordan’s book. Return to your original departure point and bid your expert guide farewell.
After a short safety talk, cycle through Amsterdam’s glamorous financial district and pass buildings like the Old Dutch East India Company. Listen to illuminating commentary from your knowledgeable guide as you glide past quaint bridges, winding waterways and landmarks like the de Gooyer windmill and the Rijksmuseum.
Admire the Maritime Museum, housed in a beautifully preserved 17th-century naval storehouse and then climb aboard a ferry travelling to north Amsterdam, a vibrant area that has recently undergone a radical transformation.
Cycle around the protective dijks and then enjoy a whistle-stop tour of places mentioned in Jordan’s book. Return to your original departure point and bid your expert guide farewell.
Itinerary
We will meet at a bike shop next to the absolute centre of Amsterdam: Dam square. On this site the first dam was built in the river Amstel sometime around 1265. The square has a rich history and has always been the site of national remembrances, events, and celebrations such as King’s Day.
Next, we’ll be making our way down the Nes. A local favourite for its theatres and restaurants, the Dutch word Nes means headland or spit. In the 1500s it had a high concentration of monasteries, and the street was nicknamed Prayer without end. A side alley bears that name to this day. From early in the nineteenth century, Nes became a centre for entertainment, which it still is today.
In the 17th century the Oudemanhuispoort, or ‘old man’s gate’ was the entrance to the old people’s home. Since the 17th century there has been a book market housed in the corridor. These days the building is part of the law faculty of the University of Amsterdam. We will stop here for a moment to explain some things about cycling in the city and decide which direction we want to take today.
Heading North we will pass by the Central Station. Built in the 1880s, this is the grand entrance to Amsterdam and part of the city’s ongoing plans for the “Red Carpet” stretching from the station to Dam Square. You can find a lot of interesting shops in the passageways, and a boulevard lined with tasty restaurants on the IJ-side.
Behind the station lies the body of water called IJ, which separates the north from the rest of Amsterdam. In the Golden Age this was the harbour and It’s still a thoroughfare for the big barges transporting their cargo up and down the rivers of Holland. We will take one of the ferries that go to different parts of the north from the pier directly behind the station. On foot or by bike, It’s a fun ride across the water, and it’s free!
Until 1795, Amsterdam-Noord was used as a gallows field, where the bodies of convicts were hung after the execution as a frightening example. We’ll be showing you that these days it has become one of the more edgy and innovative parts of Amsterdam, with music and theatre festivals, art spaces, trendy restaurants, and many new initiatives that are well worth a visit.
On this tour we might end up at the NDSM terrain. It’s one of the most interesting places in Amsterdam at the moment and has become a popular location for innovative theatre, music and art. We’ll show you around the terrain with it’s interesting buildings and landmarks, and point out a few good bars and restaurants if you want.
If we choose to go South we will make our way down the bohemian neighbourhood of the Pijp, or ‘the Pipe,’ so called because of the narrow, straight streets, that resemble pipes. These days it has a very diverse population, and you can see Turkish and Surinamese shops next to hipster lunchrooms and organic food stores. It’s a great neighbourhood for strolling around, sitting on a terrace, or visiting the famous Albert Cuyp market.
Reputedly the largest daytime outdoor market in Europe, the Albert Cuyp market started in 1912. Today you can find everything here, from fresh fish and clothing to exotic fruits and vegetables. We will stop here for a moment before we cycle on, but it’s definitely worth it to come back for a real Dutch ‘Stroopwafel’ hot from the plate, prepared right in front of you.
The Amstel is the river that gave Amsterdam its name. It flows into the city from the south, and on a sunny day you can have a great time cycling all the way up the river to Oudekerk. We won’t go that far on this tour, but we’ll cycle along the banks for a while and tell you about the historical bond between Amsterdam and it’s river.
As we cycle to the east we pass the elegant 19th century Artis Zoo. It is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and one of the oldest zoos of mainland Europe. With 27 monumental buildings, some of which you can admire while cycling past, Artis Zoo forms a unique cultural heritage example of 19th century design.
The route might take us past the Hortus Botanicus. Founded in 1638 as an herb garden for doctors and apothecaries, it’s one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. They have a café that serves a set lunch menu on their shaded terrace and in the Hortus shop you can find plants, seeds, gardening tools, but also books and the cutest gifts.
Duration: 5 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
On our way west we will cycle through the monumental Vondelpark. Named after a famous Dutch poet, the park opened in 1865. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s the perfect park for a cycle ride on the shady lanes underneath the amazing variety of stately trees. Or you can visit the rose garden, and afterwards chill out on the terrace of one of the cafés in the park. In summer there are performances at the open air stage.
Celebrated these days as a beautiful example of industrial heritage, the Western Gas Factory was built in the 1880s. After it closed the buildings stood derelict for a long time, but slowly the terrain evolved into the cultural and entertainment centre it is today. We’ll spend some time exploring these picturesque surroundings: there’s lots going around here with weekly arts and crafts markets, festivals, and bars and restaurants, and even a cinema.
On this tour we will make our way back into town by way of the Haarlemmerstraat. A street with a colourful history, today it’s a lively and diverse shopping street. We will pass many trendy bars like the small and cosy Harlem, said to serve some of the best nachos in town, and novelty shop Pappa Bubble, where you can make your own candy.
Traveler Photos
Traveler Tips
- "There are no hills to climb, so anyone can take advantage of this delightful tour." See review
- "Very fun tour, but you may be sore the next day." See review
Reviews
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Product code: 5923NLUB
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