Thinking of going on a Holland Bike and Barge Tour?
Well, I can help you out, having experienced a Holland Bike and Barge tour while visiting the country numerous times.
Our group booked a Holland Bike and Barge tour that would explore the tulips during the first week of April. Our visit would be close up as we explored by bicycle while our accommodation aboard a barge moved each day. While there are many Holland bike tours, we felt this would be a great introduction to the country, which is what it turned out to be.
Use this helpful guide to help plan your own visit to this amazing country.
Our group of 24 people had chartered the Zwaantje (Little Swan) and were followed by another group on the Bike Barge Holland ship Sarah, which holds 20 people. In the evening, we would tie up at famous cities with other barges also full of cyclists.
During the day, we would see windmills, tulip fields, a cheese farm, picturesque wooden houses, and the historical cities of Haarlem, Leiden, Gouda, and Alkmaar, plus the open-air museum at Zaanse Schans.
Note: The Zwaantje has been renamed Clair E’Etoile after our trip.
Day 1 Amsterdam to Spaarndam (Haarlem)
We headed to the Amsterdam Oosterdok, the harbor just to the east of the Central Station, for our 2 p.m. check-in. On arrival, we were shown to our rooms by a member of the crew who assisted us with our suitcases.
Back up on the main deck, we were served Aperol Spritz and cakes and introduced to the crew. The boat tour soon got underway, heading through the canals of Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were passing interesting and colorful houseboats parked along the shores while sitting in the lounge with the other passengers.
The bell rang at 6:30 p.m., and we moved to the adjoining dining area. Frank, our chef, came out as he did for every meal and, with humor, introduced the group to what was for dinner. Tonight was one of the 2 gourmet vegetarian meals we would have on board. Afterward, Michiel, our cycling guide, briefed us on what to expect the following day.
There was a set of Ortlieb Back Roller panniers laid out on the beds in each cabin, which was essential to keep items dry while cycling. It turned out that there would only be one day on this trip.
The first night, our barge was tied up along the banks of a canal near a large pumping station that had turrets and almost looked like a small castle.
Day 2 Spaarndam to Leiden
After breakfast, we made up our lunches, and we put the Ortlieb waterproof pannier that had been placed in our rooms. Those who had not brought a bicycle helmet got to pick out one, and we headed outside to be greeted by a row of bicycles with our names on the attached tags. There was a mix of e-bikes and regular bicycles.
The last person in our group was provided with a bright yellow vest and a walkie-talkie. After a briefing on local cycling rules, we were off. When we reached a turn, Michiel would leave one group member to direct those behind, and we continued over the flat terrain on various local cycle routes.
Our first stop was to view some of the colorful rows of tulips. We learned that these were being grown for their bulbs, and the tops would soon be cut off. Our route took us through many small, picturesque villages.
Our second stop on our Holland bicycle tour was also beside tulip fields with a trail for the kids with a giant wooden shoe, a café, and washrooms.
Keukenhof Gardens
We cycled past one of the parking lots for the famous Keukenhof Gardens and headed for the huge free bicycle parking area near the main entrance. The 80 acres of gardens are run as a presentation center by Dutch bulb growers and are open only 6 weeks a year from early April.
We had plenty of time to explore the gardens, and we were not alone, as there were massive crowds during our visit. Keukenhof Gardens plants 3 layers of bulbs, so there is always some in bloom. We headed to the right and decided to tackle the hedge maze (not too tough, really), which ended at a lookout platform.
Continuing, we walked up to the second level of a Windmill for a different view of the grounds. We sat down to enjoy our picnic lunch, and many characters, including 4 riders on penny farthings and 2 Dutch women in white and blue, passed by.
Entering a huge building named Willem-Alexander after the king of the Netherlands were samples of thousands of types of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and other spring flowers. Exiting, we followed one of the many paths that led to various outdoor exhibits of tulips; they were everywhere.
Back on our bikes, we continued our 36 km bike ride along bike paths over flat terrain with numerous local riders before reaching the University City of Leiden. One of the historic cities, this one with 150,000 people, and with the oldest university in Holland. Our barge was parked just outside the city center, and there was always a snack available on arrival each day, one advantage of a bike and barge Holland trip.
After our dinner and briefing, there was a short optional walk through the city center of Leiden, very pretty with a rich history and a nice downtown.
Day 3 Leiden to Gouda
The Netherlands is divided into regions, with yesterday being the bulb growing, and we would also visit the section for shrubs, and finally, cut flowers.
Today’s bike tour would be 40 km along roads with bike lanes and bricked paths. This area of South Holland is known as the green heart of the Netherlands.
Near Zoeterwoude, we stopped at a cheese farm operated by Jack and Karen, once visited by the Queen, who wanted to learn about the life of local farmers. They also told us about dairy farms and the life of Dutch farmers as we first visited one of the barns with over 80 sheep, lambs, and 2 friendly horses.
Then it was into the cheese-making facility to learn how it is made; their specialty is in making heart-shaped cheese. Finally, a visit to a small shop where we could make some purchases. Better prices and products than you could find in Amsterdam.
We continued cycling along a dike, interesting in that the surrounding fields were lower than we were. Not long afterward, we stopped by an outdoor art exhibit.
Regrouping on the bike path afterward, a man emerged from the nearby greenhouse and invited us to ride through his massive building to the packing area where shrubs were being packaged for shipment.
Riding along the canals, it seemed we were in a garden as there were numerous geese, ducks, herons, and other water birds along the banks of the canals watching us. We arrived in the center of Gouda, where at the canal our vessel was tied up with 2 other barges from other companies. After dinner, there was an optional 2-hour walk in Gouda, one of the many historic towns on our tour.
To get the most from our trip, I took along a copy of Rick Steves’ Netherlands Travel Guide.
Day 4 Gouda to Kudelstaart
At 9 a.m., our barge moved on, and we went to visit the Gouda market square, including checking out the famous cookies for which the town is known. The Stroopwafel is a sugary cinnamon cookie with caramel inside the layers and a waffle pattern outside. I thought it was best known for its cheese, and you buy some of that as well.
Many in our group headed for St. John’s church with its magnificent stained-glass windows. Then we waited in the main square, and the figures in the clock moved to the music and then began our 30 km ride to Alphen. There is a cheese market that operates every Thursday from April to September from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is not open during our visit.
On our daily bike ride, I was surprised at the number of thatched-roofed houses we saw, first seen at the cheese farm. As expected, we also passed some traditional windmills.
At Alphen, we boarded the barge, which took us to Kudelstaart. Although we had a general route each day, it sometimes changed slightly as some bridges were closed due to construction, causing the barge to reroute.
Day 5 Kudelstaart to Zaanse Schans
The next day, we were up at 6:15 a.m. for coffee and a snack and the 4 km ride to our next destination, Aalsmeer, the largest flower market in the world.
Aalsmeer
From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., we visited the famous flower auction located in the fourth-largest building in the world. There are no tour guides; this is a self-guided visit as we walked on a long U-shaped platform high above the action with signs describing what was happening.
This is the world’s biggest flower auction, handling over 60% of the daily volume. Manned and automated vehicles skimmed across the floor with pallets of cut flowers. Interesting is the 15 km conveyor belt taking flowers directly to Schiphol Airport so they could be in stores around the world the next day. Towards the end were some interactive exhibits and a small gift shop.
Meanwhile, our barge had moved, and it took another 4 km of riding to catch up to it, where we had breakfast as the barge moved along the canals. Sitting on the top floor or upper deck as the barge headed for Amsterdam, we could see interesting buildings, the lift bridges, and at times waited to pass through the locks as the water level varied.
We arrived in Amsterdam around noon and walked our bikes to the free ferry taking us to the far shore. Here, using cycle paths, we joined local riders heading through the edge of the city and into the countryside.
This was an area of nature reserves, parks, and canals where we stopped for lunch. Another cycling group stopped at a nearby restaurant along a canal.
Zaanse Schans
Back on our bikes, we completed the 24 km to Zaanse Schans, where the Zwaantje was parked right in the middle of this open-air museum. In the evening, we, the cyclists and the Sarah barge, pretty much had the place to ourselves.
However, during the day, huge crowds were visiting the windmills, the oldest built in 1673. The one I climbed had steep steps to a second-floor lookout with a gift shop on the main floor.
Zaanse Schans is a recreated 18th-century village with green wooden houses and a wooden shoe museum, where, during our visit, they were making clogs for a 4-year-old child. This was also known as the heart of the cocoa industry in the past, and one shop displayed various varieties. There were numerous shops, a cheese farm, a clock museum, restaurants, and a museum. We discovered a lookout tower (free) near the museum.
Day 6 Zaanse Schans to Alkmaar
Turned out to be a rainy day for the 44 km ride today, first visiting Hortus rare bulb museum (4,000 bulbs in many different sizes and shapes) and continuing through a forest and some dunes to Egmond on the North Sea coast with its narrow street and nearby sandy beaches.
Then a final 10 km to the town of Alkmaar. One member of our group had a bike problem, but fortunately, we are in the Netherlands, where there are many bike shops, so it was soon fixed.
Our barge was parked right in the heart of Alkmaar, our next port, with modern shops on one side of the canal and a small old quarter on the other. Known for the cheese market April-October (Monday-Friday, 10-1), it had not yet opened this early in April. Wandering the streets of the old center, some stopped at the local museum, which is well done and educational, and others visited a former church with interesting stained-glass windows, which is now an exhibit space complete with a coffee shop.
This was the only evening on the tour where, to give the chef some time off, dinner was not included, so some of us went to an Italian restaurant.
Day 7 Alkmaar to Amsterdam
Our final day of cycling had us heading along bike paths and through several small towns, including De Rijp with an interesting church, lock, and old town hall.
The last section was through a nature reserve with plenty of lakes and canals, and into Amsterdam, which was crowded with local cyclists to an extent I am not used to, even though I cycle in my home city often. Cycling in Amsterdam is at another level.
By the end of the day, we were back at the center of Amsterdam Oosterdok, where we took an after-dinner walk around the surrounding area.
Day 8 Finish in Amsterdam
After breakfast, it was time to say goodbye to the crew and depart the barge. We were spending a few additional nights in Amsterdam, so we headed for our hotel.
Daily Holland Bike and Barge Schedule
8:00 a.m. Breakfast buffet and make our own packed lunch
9:00 a.m. Begin cycling for the day with lunch en route
3 to 5 p.m. Arrival back at the barge with a snack (cake, cookies, etc.)
6:30 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m. Briefing on next-day activities, sometimes followed by a walk
Meals on board our Holland Bike and Barge
At 8 a.m., the bell rings, and you can help yourself to the breakfast buffet with juices, cereal, cold cuts, fruit, yogurt, bakery items, and often other dishes.
You make your packed lunch using the provided paper bags, making sandwiches from the breakfast buffet, plus adding granola bars and juice boxes.
Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. for 6 of the 7 evenings, with two being vegetarian meals. For example, on the first night, we had a very tasty tomato soup, pasta dish, and mousse. Often, seconds were available if desired.
Frank, our gourmet chef, always introduces what is being served. Coffee and tea are always available in the lounge.
Insider Tip: bring cash and a credit/debit card, as many shops in Holland accept either credit card only or cash only. Also, tips and drinks on the barge must be paid in Euros.
Holland Bike and Barge Cycling
The premium tour included our rental bikes with a water bottle (we can keep them), a lock, detailed maps, a kickstand, and Ortlieb panniers. The basic bicycle has 28-inch wheels, a gel saddle (height is adjustable), Shimano 21 gears, and two hand brakes. Local riders do not wear helmets; for us, they were provided, or people brought their own.
Small people may find the bikes a bit large. A number of the group had paid extra for e-bikes with the batteries charged overnight by our guide. On the first day, the bikes were lined up with your name on tags.
Before the tour, you receive the route maps on Riding with GPS, which you can load onto your phone; however, the group stayed together, so it is not necessary to use it unless you want to. There was a rear person who wore a yellow vest and had a walkie-talkie connected with the leader.
On our bicycle tour, we were on cycle paths and local roads (often on top of dikes), which are paved, taking frequent short breaks. The only issue was the occasional car that wanted to pass us on the narrow route.
We were instructed on traffic rules for cyclists, 2 very different from what we are used to in North America. At intersections, the traffic signal for cyclists is right in your face (not across the road like here), and the cyclists’ signal may be different from that of pedestrians. Also, the most important yields are painted on the road, important because if you have the right of way, continue, as numerous cyclists behind you expect you will move. We cycled on the edge of Amsterdam for a short section from Central Station – it was crazy.
Zwaantje (Clair D’Etoile), the Barge
There are several tour operators on the route, and the company we used was Boat Bike Tours. Our barge travels at 6-7 km per hour.
The barge does 5 Holland tulip tours in the spring, then an Amsterdam to Bruges cruise, followed by a 2-week Bruges to Paris cruise and cruises in France all summer before returning the same route in the fall. This is the largest barge able to pass through French canals (just). In winter, it operates as a B&B in Amsterdam harbor.
The common areas of the ship feature an open upper deck or sun deck, and a main deck with a lounge and dining room. Below are the comfortable but small cabins reached by steep steps with 2 beds, a clothes area, private bathrooms with a sink and toilet, and a shower surrounded by a curtain. Towels and toiletries are provided. Rooms are cleaned every day. Only one person can really change at once.
Wine and soft drinks can be purchased at the bar. They hold your bottle of wine at the bar with your room number, and you can bring it out at dinner time. Martyn, our captain (with 23 years of experience), Yoke, and Karin, our hostesses, were very helpful during the cruise.
Their premium vessel takes 24 and has air conditioning, including a helmet and bike. Also, Frank is a gourmet chef, one of the reasons it was a premium tour. Most guests come from the United States, Canada, and Germany.
Netherlands Bike Tours
Netherlands and Belgium Bike and Boat Tour – guided one-week tour from Bruges to Amsterdam
Cycling from Bruges to Amsterdam – from Exodus Tours
If you don’t have time for the full bike and barge tour, there are day trips from Amsterdam by bicycle or e-bike into the countryside.
FAQ: Holland Bike and Barge
How good a cyclist do you need to be on a Holland Bike and Barge tour?
The distances you ride each day are short with frequent breaks, so an average cyclist would have no difficulty on this tour. Also, e-bikes are available for those with less experience.
When is the best time to travel on a Holland Bike and Barge tour?
During April and early May, see the tulip fields and visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens, which are only open for 6 weeks.
What is the weather like during an April Holland Bike and Barge tour?
It is spring, so expect daytime temperatures around 10-12 °C and a little cooler in the evenings. There can be some days with rain.
Amsterdam Accommodation & Resources
You will want hotel accommodation in Amsterdam pre- and post-tour, and here are some suggestions.
NH Amsterdam Leiseplein – this is the hotel I stayed in prior to the tour, and I loved the location, close to popular museums, yet walkable to the center of the city.
Amsterdam Marriott – is also located in the Leiseplein area, a few steps from the NH Amsterdam.
HostelWorld – There are plenty of hostels all over the city.
VRBO – has everything from a Bed & Bikes in Jordaan to a luxury B&B.
Travel Insurance – an essential on any international trip
Final Thoughts: Holland Bike and Barge tour
You may wish to check out my post on other easy European cycling routes.
A barge holiday is a great way to see the historic cities of Holland, the tulip fields and gardens, get some exercise, stay in one place, and enjoy superb meals.
