The Ultimate Guide to Biking in Amsterdam
The first thing you’d notice when you come to Amsterdam is the bikes! They are literally everywhere and everyone rides them. In this blog post I’m sharing with you my top tips about biking in Amsterdam and how to explore the Dutch capital on 2 wheels.
✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.
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Short on time? Here are my top recommendations:
- Highest Rated Bike Rental Service on Viator
- Best Bike Tours
- Bilderberg Garden Hotel – eco-friendly stay & my personal recommendation
- Amsterdam Go City Card
Travel Resources for Netherlands:
📖 Planning a trip to Amsterdam? Then check my Perfect 4 Days Amsterdam Itinerary for Culture and Fun blog post.
Why Bikes are the Future of Travel in Amsterdam
Cycling in Amsterdam is a way of lifestyle, which is why Amsterdam is the bicycle capital of the world. It is slowly redefining its culture, so it’s no surprise that it is also becoming the future of travel in Amsterdam, especially if you love to be immersed into the local culture and way of living.
Amsterdam’s Bicycle Culture
Cycling has been synonymous with Dutch culture for decades when it started shaping itself in the 1970s.
In the early 1970s, road fatalities were on the rise and with a high number of children being struck down on Dutch roads, the people had had enough. The famous campaign Stop de Kindermoord (Stop the Child Killings) has begun. After two years of peaceful but persistent demonstrations, the cycling infrastructure took shape.
Today, you will see people on bicycles everywhere you go, no matter the time of the day, weather, age or gender. Even the Dutch prime minister is regularly spotted riding his bike to work!
Benefits of Exploring Amsterdam on Two Wheels
As a traveller visiting Amsterdam, biking is surely a great way of exploring it for many reasons: it’s fun, healthy and sustainable!
It’s a great choice to sightsee the city in an eco-friendly way to reduce the carbon footprint while immersing yourself in the city. Also, unlike cruises, which confine you to a fixed route, cycling gives you a lot of flexibility. You can explore the vibrant neighbourhoods, enjoy scenic routes and connect with locals in a more authentic way and at your own pace.
The Ultimate Guide to Biking in Amsterdam
Here let’s see how you can rent a bike in Amsterdam, what to visit during your rental alongside some general tips.
How to Rent a Bike in Amsterdam
Renting a bike in Amsterdam is easy, accessible and most importantly, affordable. The best and most reliable way to rent a bike is to do it via a reputable company like Viator, but you can also find rental shops in the centre of Amsterdam.
🫶 This is the highest rated bike rental service on Viator.
Must-See Places to Visit in Amsterdam by Bike
Here are some of the must-see places in Amsterdam that you can easily explore on your bike ride.
Museum Quarter
You can’t visit Amsterdam without checking at least one museum there, ideally more (especially if you’re a museum buff like me!).
💡Museum tickets in Amsterdam get sold out quite quickly, so I recommend booking them as soon as you know you’re travelling there, so you don’t miss your chance to enter to some, like it happened to me with the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House!
To save money, I recommend double checking Amsterdam Go City Card and see if it makes sense for you to purchase one depending on the things you’d love to explore.
My favourite is Rijksmuseum where you can explore 800 years of Dutch art history and see some of the famous artworks of Rembrandt, Vermeer & Van Gogh.
Obviously on my list was the Van Gogh Museum too, but sadly that was left for my next time in Amsterdam. If you love Van Gogh’s art, then buy your tickets asap!
For those of you who love modern art and immersive exhibits, then you have to check out Moco Museum. I loved it a lot there!
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is the most famous park in Amsterdam and surely a great spot to check out while cycling. Or to rest a bit.
Jordaan
Jordaan is my favourite neighbourhood in Amsterdam, full of quirky cafes, restaurants, filled with beautiful bridges and canals. It is that postcard-picture place where you can enjoy the architecture of Amsterdam and imagine yourself living in one of those tiny houses.
There you will find the Anne Frank House, which I also wanted to visit, but the tickets get sold out weeks in advance. You can only buy them on the official website. They get on sale every Tuesday at 10 am Amsterdam time for a visit 6 weeks out. So, if you want to visit, make sure you set up the alarm or reminder and buy as soon as they get released. I wish I knew that before booking my trip to Amsterdam…
De Pijp
De Pijp neighbourhood is a slightly less-known gem, which I loved a lot! Make sure to check out The Albert Cuyp Market where you’ll find the best street food in Amsterdam. I recommend trying a Stroopwafel which is a Dutch specialty dessert.
Tips for Navigating Amsterdam’s Bike Lanes
Amsterdam’s bike lanes are efficient, but they come with traffic rules. Always use dedicated cycle paths, signal your turns and respect pedestrians. Safety is key, so don’t forget to lock your bike securely when parked and consider wearing reflective gear for nighttime rides.
Best Bike Tours in Amsterdam
While you can easily explore Amsterdam by bike on your own, there are also some amazing bike tours you can do too!
Guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam’s Highlights and Hidden Gems
This small-group cycling tour (max 11 people) is perfect if you’re short on time but still want to see it all. From famous landmarks like the Rijksmuseum to secret spots only the locals know, this tour has you covered. Plus, your guide will share cool stories about Amsterdam’s history and culture along the way.
Keukenhof: Flower Fields Small-Group Cultural Bike Tour
If you happen to be in Amsterdam during the tulip season, this is one of the best ways you can see the tulips on a bike. You will visit random tulip fields (I loved them so much!), do a Tulip Experience and check out the Keukenhof Gardens later.
📖 Interested in visiting tulip fields near Amsterdam? Then check my How to Visit Tulip Fields near Amsterdam (+2025 Dates!) blog post.
Dutch Countryside Bike Tour from Amsterdam: a Windmill and Dutch Cheese
This guided bike tour takes you through Dutch countryside and its farmlands, historical windmills and UNESCO-listed canals. You can choose between a shorter route on a standard bike or a longer one on an e-bike (the minimum height for e-bike is 155 cm or 5′ 1″, otherwise you won’t be permitted). Plus, you’ll get to stop and sample delicious Dutch cheese!
Zaanse Schans and Zaandam Countryside Electric Bike Tour
This small-group electric bikes tour takes you out of Amsterdam to the picturesque countryside of Zaanse Schans and Zaandam. You’ll cycle past windmills, traditional wooden houses and stalls selling Dutch cheese and clogs. Good thing is that you’ll have plenty of time to explore the region on your own too!
Eco-Friendly Hotels in Amsterdam
If you want to go the extra mile and have an even more sustainable visit in Amsterdam, you can also choose to stay in an eco-friendly hotel.
These are my top 3 choices:
- Bilderberg Garden Hotel – I stayed there and loved waking up to birds’ song each morning
- Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam – where luxury meets sustainability
- Eden Hotel Amsterdam – Green Key Gold Award holder for sustainability
📖 Check my 15 Best Amsterdam Hotels with Beautiful Canal View blog post for more.
✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.
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