The Netherlands by Bike - What to See in the Kingdom of the Netherlands?

The Netherlands,a country famous for tulips, Gouda cheese, and windmills, is a place that, despite its many hallmarks, most people associate with onething —bicycles! With over 35,000 km of paved bike paths and nearly as many forest and dirt trails, it’s a true paradise that every cycling enthusiast will love. Is a bicycle more than just a means of transportation for the Dutch? When exploring the Kingdom of the Netherlands by bike, will we discover more than we would while traveling by car or bus? You’ll find the answers to these and other questions in the article we’ve prepared especially for you!

1. A pleasant ride on the national mode of transportation.

The Netherlands is a place that can easily be described as a cyclist’s paradise. W the equation—car, pedestrian, bicycle—it is the cyclist who reigns supreme in the urban jungle. Wide paths, dedicated traffic lights, roundabouts, and even small bike “highways”— all of this makes getting around on bike paths much faster and more enjoyable. Are you riding to work in a suit or heading out on a date in a flowy dress? The Dutch don’t worry about it—your outfit doesn’t have to be strictly athletic. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be comfortable. The most important thing is to get from point A to point B efficiently and quickly. It’s a great solution that not only saves you money but also helps protect the environment.

So can we say that a bicycle, or more precisely bike—is it the national mode of transportation? If the fact that the king and prime minister of the Netherlands also use it isn’t enough, maybe the numbers will convince the skeptics. Note that There are over 1,300 bicycles for every 1,000 residents (for comparison—in Poland, the ratio is 300 bicycles per 1,000 residents). Is that a lot or a little? We’ll leave that up to you. 

2. Holland by Bike: Exploring the Netherlands by bicycle.

Exploring the Netherlands by bike is a travel option that will give you a completely different experience than walking, taking a taxi, or riding a Dutch bus. The aforementioned cycling infrastructure isn’t just a “dedicated” lane on the road, but also paths between canals, pastures, and dense forests. Traveling by bike allows you to discover the incredibly beautiful Dutch countryside, which is hard to see any other way. Wild birds, lakes, and floodplains—these are just a part of the incredible natural beauty found there. What’s more, by choosing a bike, you’ll get to know Dutch culture and hospitality better. Most of the Dutch people you pass on the bike path will surely brighten your day by greeting you with a friendly Good morning!

However, most of you are probably still asking yourselves the fundamental question: Why exactly are bicycles so popular there? The answer is very simple: "because the earth is flat." Exactly—the Netherlands is a country with a low-lying terrain (most of its territory lies below sea level), which means that distances of 40, 50, or even 60 km don’t feel that far. That is precisely why Dutch cities are connected in such a way that you can easily reach towns hundreds of kilometers apart.

3. Amsterdam and Rotterdam—but the Netherlands doesn’t end there!

Admit it: when you hear “VACATION W THE NETHERLANDS,” most of you think of the two biggest Dutch cities— Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not! Both places are worth visiting, and you should definitely go there. But how can you spice up your urban bike trip? Here’s the recipe!

• Amsterdam

When you choose Amsterdam, you’re choosing the hustle and bustle of the city and entertainment worthy of a capital. However, if you have a moment and want to relax among the famous, colorful tulips, hop on a bike and head to Keukenhof Park. This is an idea for a full-day trip, as the distance between these places is quite long (36 km). Still, trust us, it’s worth it—7 million tulips forming floral masterpieces are a fantastic reward that will make you forget about the rather long journey! 

Amsterdam – the capital of the Netherlands

However, if flower pollen doesn’t agree with you, or you simply aren’t fond of this type of Don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging! Our second suggestion for a bike tour is Haarlem — a beautiful, historic city whose 750 years of beauty will impress anyone. 

Haarlem—a historic city dating back 750 years 

• Rotterdam

When you visit Rotterdam, the second-largest city in the Netherlands , you’re choosing to travel to a place that blends traditional Dutch architecture with modernist buildings, creating a modern yet fairy-tale-like landscape. It’s the perfect choice for a weekend getaway, but ...

Rotterdam—a fairytale city

... if you have a day or two of unused vacation time left, be sure to check out our top cycling destinations: The Hague, Delft, Vlaardingen, Kinderdijk, Hoek van Holland, and Gouda. Country roads crisscrossed by numerous canals offer a view that is a wonderful attraction in itself. Each of these towns is different and completely unique, so there’s something for everyone!

•  Kinderdijk— a small village known as the land of windmills (it is here that the historic windmills listed by UNESCO are located).

 

•  Delft— a colorful city famous for its distinctive blue porcelain.

 

• Gouda—especially recommendedfor lovers of Gouda cheese (a city famous for its cheese production).

 

• The Hague— a beautiful city on the North Sea (it is also home to the Dutch government and the royal family).

 

4. Savings, environmental support, flexibility—nothing but pros, no cons.

 

In addition to beautiful views, cycling gives us so much more. 

• We don’t use fuel —we’re doing our part to support the environment. 
• Let’s get moving —it’s good for our health
• We’re getting to know the culture —we can feel like native Dutch people. 

 

So, what more could you ask for?