Overview
A five day cycling break, taking place between April and May so that you can take in the iconic tulip season, while also exploring some of the Netherlands’ most historic cities. Your journey around the Dutch tulip fields starts and ends in Amsterdam, with city stops at Haarlem and Leiden in between. The tulip reveal happens on day three, when your route takes you through Bollenstreek, boasting tulip fields of every colour. They have been grown here for over 400 years, where excavated dunes and sea air create the perfect growing (and cycling) conditions. E-bikes are also available.
- Bollenstreek dune and bulb region
- Amsterdam, Haarlem and Leiden
- Cruquius Museum
- Groene Hart, the Netherland’s Green Heart.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam. Depending on arrival time, spend some time wandering around the 17th-century Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or head to the city’s famous Dam, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Alternatively, hire a boat and enjoy this unique city from the water.
Please note surcharges apply in Amsterdam on certain dates. Please read our ‘when to go’ section for information.
- Accommodation: Westcord Fashion Hotel or similar
- Optional hotel upgrade: Westcord Art
Day 2: Amsterdam – Haarlem | 53km
Today begins with an early morning cycle to the Zuid Kennemerland National Park to visit Cruquius Museum. Home to one of the largest steam pumps in the world, the exhibits show how the Industrial Revolution facilitated the pumping of waterscapes in the Netherlands, and then transformed the landscapes where you are cycling. From the museum, cycle toward Haarlem and spend the afternoon visiting Grote Markt Square, Gravestenenbrug Drawbridge on Spaarne River and the city’s many hofjes – groups of small apartments built around courtyards.
- Cycling for the day: 53km
- Accommodation: Hotel Lion d’Or or similar
- Optional hotel upgrade: Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg in Santpoort-Noord (includes dinner)
Please note that if you choose the upgraded accommodation option, there will be slight changes in the route and the overnight location.
Day 3: Haarlem – Leiden | 38km
Today’s route takes you through Bollenstreek, the iconic bulb and dune region. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are grown here commercially and transform the landscape into one of the country’s best-loved attractions. Your cycle comes to a close in Leiden where you can spend the evening discovering its canals, monuments, windmills, museums and historic botanical gardens. An extra night in Leiden is recommended for those wishing to spend a day at Keukenhof Tulip Gardens.
- Cycling for the day: 38km
- Accommodation: Tulip-Inn Leiden Centre, Golden Tulip Leiden Centre,Fletcher Wellness Hotel or similar
Day 4: Leiden – Amsterdam | 63km
Todays route back to Amsterdam leads past the meadows and lakes of the country’s Groene Hart, or Green Heart. Cycle as far as Uithoorn, where the route then follows the Amstel River past some grand country houses, before heading back into Amsterdam.
- Cycling for the day: 63km
- Accommodation: Westcord Fashion Hotel or similar
- Optional hotel upgrade: WestcordArt
Day 5: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodations on this tour include a mix of 3-star and 4-star hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms
Click to view default hotels
- Westcord Fashion Hotel (Amsterdam)
- Hotel Lion d’Or (Harleem)
- Tulip-Inn Leiden Centre, Golden Tulip Leiden Centre, Fletcher Wellness Hotel (Leiden)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Westcord Art 4* (Amsterdam)
- Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg (Santpoort-Noord)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available either from your accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and is suitable for regular cyclists. The route covers mostly flat terrain and all of the sections can be made easier by taking optional shortcuts. Daily cycling distances range from 38-63km (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available daily from April to May.
Please note that some surcharges are applicable if you:
Stay in Amsterdam on a Saturday;
Stay in Amsterdam from 3-5 April 2026, from 17-18 April 2026 or from 24-27 April 2026. Minimum two nights stay required on these dates.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to the Netherlands without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Amsterdam. For more details, see the national rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen. For train connections from the UK, Eurostar offers direct trains from London St. Pancras International to Amsterdam Centraal (4h). Please check the Eurostar website for more details on schedules and prices.
The train from Amsterdam Schiphol to Amsterdam Sloterdijk departs six times per hour (10mins travel time). A single ticket costs approximately €4 per person, not including bikes. For timetables and tickets, visit Nederlandse Spoorwegen or use the Omio planner above.
In case you prefer arriving by car, parking in Amsterdam is approximately €35 per day.
For details on how to reach the hotel by bus, check 9292.
Inclusions
Included
- 4 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels as listed in the itinerary
- 4 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between hotels (one piece up to 20kg per person)
- Detailed travel information including route maps, route descriptions, tourist information and important telephone numbers
- App access with GPS tracks and notes
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Bike rental
- Hotel upgrades
- Extra nights
Bike rental
Both hybrid and e-bikes are available to rent on this tour. All bikes come with a defender lock with plug-in chain. Standard models pictured below, note that the exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
- Standard touring bike with 24-speed gears
- E-bike, with a small electric engine and battery, with a range 100km on a full battery
Terms of use:
- The bicycle(s) should only be used for their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the booking
- The bicycle(s) should be returned to us in the same clean condition in which you received them
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, chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. Please note that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.
Theft insurance
It is possible to insure your bike against theft. Bookable upon request.
Liability in the event of theft
- 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.
- If you purchase bicycle theft insurance from us, but don’t use the wheel lock, produce the original wheel lock key or a police theft report, you will be responsible for replacement cost, determined by us according to standard prices.
