Learn about Dutch culture and history as you discover the area of Zaanse Schans on a half-day bicycle tour from Amsterdam. Meet your guide at Amsterdam Central Station and travel to Zaandam by train to start the bicycle tour. Cycle past industrial windmills and admire the beautiful landscape. Stop at a sawmill to learn how it operates, and visit a paper mill to see how paper was made in the 17th century. Pedal through the stunning wetlands, painted by Monet at the end of the 19th century. Pass the neighborhood of Domineestuin, filled with authentic wooden houses, before arriving in Zaanse Schans. Park your bicycle and enjoy a demonstration of how clogs are made. Take the opportunity to taste delicious Gouda cheese, a local specialty. After a fantastic half-day experience, return by bike to Zaandam and board the train back to Amsterdam Central Station, where your tour will end.

After gathering at the small headquarters next to Central Station where you will get your bikes, you'll go on a 3-hour tour with a friendly and experienced guide. The banks of the Zaan River, a few kilometers north of Amsterdam, is the set of one of the most photogenic village of windmills in the Netherlands. The famous painter Claude Monet, during his stay in Holland, found here his main source of inspiration. It is your turn to discover this unique place, a postcard setting which represents perfectly the Holland of old times. The village of windmills has become a protected regional reserve, the perfect location for a splendid bike tour, led by one of the tour guides who will share with you the history and traditions of Holland. Ride on top of the Dutch bikes from the brand Batavus. These bikes are reknown for their comfort so you can focus on sightseeing only and on the stories of the guides.

There’s nothing better than spending a sunny summers day riding through the the countryside of Holland. A short ferry ride and an easy 20-minute cycle through the north of the city and we’ll reach the Waterlands, the countryside just outside of Amsterdam. Soon it’s cows and farmers’ signs offering up freshly made ice-cream and milk. There will be plenty of photo opportunities along the way as we cruise through the countryside en route to the Dutch Heritage site of the Zaanse Schans. You’ll have free time to explore, snap photos, checkout some cheese and clog stalls or visit the first ever Albert Heijn. Our return route will bring us back to town via Zaandam and its famous Intelhotel made from nearly 70 traditional Zaanse-style wooden houses. Coming back into town takes us past the NDSM werf in north Amsterdam. Since we'll spend most of our time outside the city, the stress of biking in Amsterdam will be minimized. Because the Netherlands is relatively flat, one does not need to be in top shape to partake but the ability to be physically active over the course of the tour is recommended. The use of electric bikes on this tour will certainly help make the roughly 40km tour a breeze.

After collecting your bicycle, your tour will depart in the direction of Amsterdam Central Station. Stepping on the IJ Ferry, travel in the destination of the NDSM Werf, complete with its old industrial Halls which are now used as a party/concert/event location. From this point, travel in the direction of Tuin Dorp whilst discovering the countryside and the huge and the beautiful natural park of Het Twiske. Enjoy the typical North Holland Landscape by riding your bike on the dikes accompanied by the nicest views. After approximately two hours of biking, arrive to the Zaanse Schans area, complete with a museum, windmills, traditional artwork, shops, and plenty more to discover. Following around an hour at the Museum Village, your tour travels back direction of Amsterdam but along a different route. If you want to extend your visit to Zaanse Schans, you are also free to stay a little longer and travel back to Amsterdam by bus, train, or boat.