Old Holland Bike Tour – Cycling Holiday through Historic Cities, Coast and Dunes

Today you travel independently to Utrecht or Bunnik, depending on hotel availability. Both locations offer a relaxed starting point for the tour, ideally situated near green landscapes and close to Utrecht’s historic centre. After check-in, you have plenty of time to explore the surroundings and ease into the atmosphere of the holiday.

If you stay in Utrecht, the historic city centre is within easy reach from your hotel. The city is known for its lively atmosphere, picturesque canals and unique wharf cellars along the famous Oudegracht. Stroll through the old streets, visit the museum quarter or enjoy a drink on a terrace by the water. The iconic Dom Tower rises above the city and serves as a striking landmark throughout your walk. With its blend of culture, history and inviting squares, Utrecht is the perfect place to begin your cycling holiday.

If you stay in Bunnik, the atmosphere is quieter and greener, with nature close at hand. The nearby Amelisweerd estate is ideal for a short walk through woodland and past elegant country houses.

In the evening, you can choose from a wide range of restaurants nearby or in the city. Relax, recharge and prepare for your first cycling day along the River Vecht — a beautiful start to your beach and historic cities cycling holiday in the Netherlands.

Your first cycling day begins gently as you leave Utrecht or Bunnik and head towards the scenic Vecht region. It quickly becomes clear why this area is so loved by cyclists: the route follows the water through elegant country estates, historic drawbridges, small villages and green riverbanks that have formed the backdrop for travellers and merchants for centuries. Along the way, you pass charming villages such as Maarssen and Loenen aan de Vecht, where monumental mansions and historic tea domes reflect the 17th and 18th centuries, when wealthy Amsterdam merchants built their summer residences here.

The quiet, flat cycling paths make this stage ideal for settling into a relaxed rhythm. There are plenty of inviting places to stop along the route, whether for a waterside terrace, a small marina or a bakery offering local specialities. As you approach Amsterdam, the landscape gradually changes, with the calm riverside scenery slowly giving way to the lively atmosphere of the capital.

Once you arrive in Amsterdam, you cycle into the city through green parks and quiet neighbourhoods. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city, from Vondelpark and the canals to museums and the atmospheric Jordaan district. Overnight stay in Amsterdam.

You leave Amsterdam along quiet cycling routes that lead through green outer districts towards Haarlem. This historic city feels like an open-air museum, with monumental façades, hidden courtyards, attractive shopping streets and the impressive Grote Markt. Take time to walk around or enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafés.

After Haarlem, the route enters South Kennemerland National Park, where dunes, forests and open grasslands create a varied natural landscape. There is a good chance of spotting fallow deer or Highland cattle along the way. The route becomes gently rolling here and offers beautiful views across the surrounding scenery.

As you approach the coast, the fresh sea air becomes unmistakable. In Zandvoort, your overnight stay is almost directly by the beach, perfect for an evening walk along the shore or dinner in a beach pavilion. If you continue to Noordwijkerhout, the route extends to approximately 51 kilometres, where you stay in a peaceful green setting close to both dunes and the sea.

This stage combines culture, nature and coastline at a relaxed pace — ideal for travellers who enjoy experiencing different atmospheres within a single day.

Today is entirely dedicated to the Dutch coast. You cycle through the dune and bulb-growing region, an area that is especially spectacular in April and May when vast fields of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils create an explosion of colour behind the dunes. In other seasons, the landscape offers peace, open space and wide panoramic views.

The route follows quiet paths through open dune valleys and small coastal villages. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to stop at viewpoints, beach pavilions or visitor centres that explain more about the dune landscape. As you continue south, the atmosphere gradually becomes livelier until you arrive in Scheveningen, a popular seaside resort known for its boulevard, pier, beach cafés and vibrant atmosphere.

Those who prefer to stay overnight in The Hague continue a little further to the city centre. The Hague offers a unique combination of art, culture, politics and coastline, with museums, palaces and historic squares all within easy reach.

This stage is especially appealing for lovers of sea and nature. With the fresh coastal breeze and relaxed route, it is one of the most popular days of the cycling holiday.

Today begins with a short ride into the heart of The Hague. You cycle past elegant buildings, squares and palaces, including Binnenhof, Noordeinde Palace and Peace Palace. Culture lovers may wish to make an extra stop at Mauritshuis, home to masterpieces such as Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Panorama Mesdag is also highly recommended.

After exploring the city, you leave the urban atmosphere behind and cycle into the Green Heart, a rural area of wide polders, canals, windmills and small farming villages. The peace and openness of this landscape create a beautiful contrast with the lively coast.

In the afternoon, you reach Gouda, world-famous for its cheese, syrup waffles and atmospheric historic centre. Walk through winding streets, visit St. John’s Church or relax on a terrace at the market square. On Thursday mornings, the traditional cheese market adds an extra highlight if your travel dates coincide.

This stage offers a beautiful balance of city, nature and culture, with Gouda as a charming place to end the day.

The final stage of the tour takes you through the green heart of the Netherlands back to Utrecht. You cycle through a varied landscape of forests, polders, rivers, lakes and historic country estates. It is a relaxed and diverse route with many opportunities to stop along the way.

A major highlight en route is De Haar Castle, the largest and perhaps most impressive castle in the Netherlands. Its gardens, moats and striking towers create a fairytale setting, perfect for a short break or a memorable photo stop.

You then continue towards Utrecht, a city known for its lively centre, unique wharf cellars and excellent museums. Here you can end your cycling holiday in style with dinner by the canal or a walk through the historic museum quarter.

This final day offers a calm and balanced conclusion to your self-guided cycling holiday, with the landscape becoming greener and more wooded as you approach Utrecht.

After a relaxed night and breakfast at your hotel, your beach and cities cycling holiday in the Netherlands comes to an end today. Over the past week, you have cycled along coastlines, dunes, rivers and historic cities, returning home with new impressions, peace and lasting memories. This final morning is all about taking your time and departing at a relaxed pace.

If time allows, you may choose to visit Utrecht once more for a short walk through the old centre. In the morning, the city is often wonderfully calm, and the canals and wharf cellars reveal an extra charm. A final coffee by the water is a perfect way to conclude the journey.

If you stay in Bunnik, a short walk through the green surroundings is highly recommended, for example at Amelisweerd, offering one last opportunity to enjoy nature before departure.

Of course, you may also choose to extend your cycling holiday with an extra overnight stay in Utrecht, allowing more time to explore the city or simply relax a little longer.