Amsterdam by bike: The best routes

Amsterdam is a cycling paradise with several interconnected bike lanes and bridges that allow cyclists to discover almost every city area. Today, Amsterdam boasts more bicycles than cars, with over eight hundred thousand cycling population.

For a tourist wishing to feel Dutch or a local trying out new cycling routes, cycling provides a close-up view of the architecture, canals, parks, and numerous other attractions. Below is a list of bike paths in Amsterdam suitable for every cyclist.

Top routes to explore in Amsterdam

There is barely any family in Amsterdam without a bicycle. Interestingly, most bicycles are electric bikes. Some bike routes are shorter and offer a better view of the city. Here are some of the most recommended bike routes in Amsterdam.

Classic canal route

One of the most popular and beautiful routes visitors should take while in Amsterdam is on a bicycle amidst the beautiful canal. The first route will guide you through the city’s most significant and visually striking places.

You could begin at Dam Square and check out the Royal Palace before heading to the Jordaan area. Jordaan is a small neighbourhood with small streets, artist’s shops, and nice cafés. The next cycling tour leads along the Prinsengracht, one of the city’s main canals, and past the Anne Frank House.

Amsterdam-Noord and NDSM wharf route

To find a few out-of-the-way local favourites, head north of the city by taking a brief water taxi ride across the IJ River to Amsterdam-Noord. This region has experienced a considerable change from an industrial zone to a hub of artistic activity.

Disembark the ferry at Buiksloterweg and make your way to the NDSM Wharf, a shipyard in the past but now a modern industrial and art site. It passes by different industries, urban murals, and artistic cafés and restaurants. There are several street art murals, artists’ studios, and the much-celebrated Pllek beach bar, where one can enjoy a good drink beside the water.

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Amstel river route

From a country road feel within Amsterdam, the best place to visit is the Amstel River Route if you want the countryside feeling intact. Begin your bicycle rental at the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), a picturesque white drawbridge over the Amstel River.

Picking up where we left off, continue down the river to the south, now stepping out of the metropolis and into residential areas and pastures. The itinerary will reveal beautiful and picturesque residences on the banks of the river, mills, and villages, such as Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. Take a break for lunch at some of the charming cafes on the waterfront. On this route, you can find some of the best boutique hotels in Amsterdam.

Waterland route

Those looking for a quintessential nature experience should venture along the Waterland Route, which passes through wetlands, lakes, and picturesque Dutch villages. Start your cycling trip in the northern part of Amsterdam and ride towards Waterland, the countryside area, just a half-hour bike ride from the tourists’ advanced post.

During the tour, you will cross beautiful places, such as the village of Broek op Water, famous for its wooden farms. There are no steep slopes, the smooth surface, and the routes are regularly maintained, making it a very easy trail perfect for every rider.

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Conclusion

As much as riding bicycles is a means of getting from one point to the other in Amsterdam, it is also a lifestyle. The city provides a wide selection of routes for cyclists who enjoy cycling along parks and canals and those who are ready for more challenging rides in the countryside.

Discover Amsterdam’s multi-faceted character as you ride from the culturally saturated city core to the peaceful countryside in the comfort of a rented two-wheeler. So hire a bicycle, ride, and find the perfect cycling route in Amsterdam! Using any of the routes above will leave you with loads of good time; you will want to do it again.

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