Bike paths, routes, travel tips Cycling in the Netherlands

Holland is the perfect destination for a cycling holiday. The network of bike paths is extensive: more than 37,000 kilometers of safe and well-marked routes allow easy cycling between the cities and the countryside. You can see the magnificent polder landscapes, tulip fields, farms, cheese factories and interesting historic villages. Not to mention Holland’s more than 1,000 traditional windmills and the historic city centers of Amsterdam, Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

The Netherlands has invested heavily (and continues to do so!) in the national bicycle network. With a population of 17 million people and 23 million bicycles, the country already has more bicycles than inhabitants. But continuous improvements keep making the bike network even better, attracting even more cyclists to the roads. In short, the Netherlands is a bit of a dream for cyclists: to ride safely, surrounded by beautiful scenery and supported by cyclist-friendly infrastructure.

René Descartes said, “God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland.” How? By constructing over the centuries so-called “polders,” the low-lying lands conquered from water, obtained by artificially draining the sea and marshes. Almost a quarter of the country’s land area consists of polders, around which canals, dams and mills have been developed. Riding a bike, you notice this fascinating lowland even more: have you ever ridden on a bike path that is 20 feet below sea level?

It is the most famous garden in Holland and the largest park in the world dedicated to flowering bulbs. It’s only 30 km from Amsterdam, but when you get there you feel like you are in heaven! A good 32 hectares dedicated exclusively to a single category of plants, with nearly 7 million tulips (as well as daffodils, hyacinths and other varieties of flowers) that bloom in spring, showing off their magnificent colors to visitors. It is a must-see landscape, perfect for unforgettable photos.