Netherlands Bike Tour: Lake IJsselmeer & the Afsluitdijk

Your IJsselmeer cycling holiday starts in Huizen, where you drop off your luggage before 10:00 am. You then cycle through the peaceful Gooimeer region towards Naarden, one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Europe. Discover its impressive star-shaped fortress and historic city walls.

The route continues through the countryside to Muiden, home to the famous medieval Muiderslot castle, beautifully located on the River Vecht. From here, you cycle into Amsterdam, following canals and historic bridges and passing highlights such as Museumplein and Vondelpark.

Leaving Amsterdam, you follow the dike along the Markermeer towards Volendam. Enjoy the views over the water before arriving in this traditional fishing village, known for its wooden houses, harbour and lively cafés. You spend the night in Volendam.

Today, you follow the shores of the IJsselmeer through charming villages and historic towns in North Holland. Your first stop is Edam, famous for its cheese and picturesque canals. Stroll through the historic centre with its wooden houses, small bridges and quiet streets.

You then cycle to Hoorn, a former VOC trading town with beautiful monuments, historic warehouses and atmospheric squares. The old harbour is the perfect place for a break, with views of traditional ships and the impressive Hoofdtoren.

From Hoorn, you continue along the IJsselmeer towards Medemblik, the oldest town in West Friesland. Take some time to explore the historic centre and visit Kasteel Radboud, a 13th-century castle overlooking the harbour. With its old merchant houses, green ramparts and charming waterfront, Medemblik is a wonderful place to end the day.

Today is all about dikes, water and Dutch water engineering. From Medemblik, you cycle along the dike of the Wieringermeer polder, once an island where even Vikings are said to have landed. From the dike, you enjoy panoramic views across the IJsselmeer.

Due to construction work on the Afsluitdijk until the end of 2026, you and your bicycle will be comfortably transported by bus to the Frisian side. This allows you to continue your IJsselmeer cycling tour while experiencing one of the Netherlands’ most famous waterworks.

Back on your bike, you cycle through the flat Frisian landscape towards Makkum, known for its historic merchant houses and ceramics, or Bolsward, one of the famous Frisian Eleven Cities. Both towns are perfect for a relaxing end to the day, with cosy terraces and genuine Frisian hospitality.

Today, you explore the southwest of Friesland, a region of water, nature and rich cultural heritage. You start by cycling towards Hindeloopen, a picturesque IJsselmeer town famous for its traditional painted furniture, colourful details and characteristic wooden houses.

From Hindeloopen, you follow the waterfront to Stavoren, the oldest city in Friesland and a former member of the Hanseatic League. The historic harbour, the famous statue of the Lady of Stavoren and views across the IJsselmeer make this a lovely place to stop.

The route then continues through the forests and small villages around Oudemirdum towards Lemmer. The landscape becomes more varied, with green meadows, woodland and gently rolling sections. You finish the day in lively Lemmer, a popular watersports town with pleasant waterside terraces and a relaxed Frisian atmosphere.

Today, you cycle through one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful nature areas: De Weerribben-Wieden National Park. This vast peatland landscape is known for its peaceful waterways, reed beds, wetland forests and narrow canals. Take a break at the visitor centre or enjoy a relaxing boat trip through the wetlands.

From here, you continue through the Kop van Overijssel to Blokzijl, a picturesque former harbour town with historic streets and inviting waterside terraces. The route then follows the edge of De Wieden towards Zwartsluis, where you cross the Zwarte Water by ferry.

Your destination is Kampen, one of the historic Hanseatic towns of the Netherlands. Explore its atmospheric old town, impressive city gates, historic churches and elegant merchant houses – a wonderful place to end another varied day of your IJsselmeer cycling tour.

After a short exploration of Kampen, you cycle along the Drontermeer and Veluwemeer towards the historic fortified town of Elburg. With its straight streets, medieval city walls and fishing heritage, Elburg feels like an open-air museum.

The route then continues through the peaceful landscapes of the Elspeetse Heide and Leuvenumse Bos. Surrounded by heathland and forest, this is a wonderful section for nature lovers, with a good chance of spotting wildlife such as deer and wild boar.

You finish the day in Harderwijk, a charming historic Hanseatic town on the shores of the former Zuiderzee. Enjoy the lively waterfront, historic centre and one of the many restaurants – a perfect place to spend your final evening.

On the final cycling day of your IJsselmeer cycling tour, you follow a beautiful route through the Arkemheen-Eemland National Landscape. This unique peat meadow landscape is known for its wide-open views, peaceful atmosphere and characteristic Dutch skies. Along the way, you cycle over historic dikes that have protected the land from the water for centuries.

The route takes you to Bunschoten-Spakenburg, a traditional fishing village famous for its maritime heritage and historic wooden fishing boats in the harbour. It is a perfect place to stop for a coffee, explore the harbour and enjoy the authentic atmosphere of this historic Dutch village.

From Spakenburg, you cycle comfortably back towards Huizen, completing your tour around the IJsselmeer. Along the way, enjoy the water, dikes and green landscapes before returning to your starting hotel. Your 7-day cycling holiday in the Netherlands ends here, after a wonderful journey filled with nature, history, water and typical Dutch charm.