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Cyclists at the windmill
Haarlem with boats, water and swans
House in Zaanse Schans
Windmills in Zaanse Schans
Home β€Ί Tours β€Ί Netherlands β€Ί Holland: Green Heart of Holland
2026 2027
Holland: Green Heart of Holland History and Holland’s Green Heart
26 reviews
  • Difficulty

    Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain

    1 Difficulty level 1
  • Duration

    The duration of the tour

    8 days
  • Guidance

    Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days

    Guided

During this eight day/seven night, tour on board of one of the charming barges you will discover the β€˜Green Heart’ of Holland by bike, a region steeped in history, natural attractions, world famous cities and beautiful scenery. Along the way you will visit historical cities such as Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, Leiden and Gouda. You will discover many culturally historic attractions and, more importantly, you will be able to immerse yourself in the heart of this fascinating and very Dutch part of Holland. Also, if you are an art lover, you will enjoy the visits to Leiden, Haarlem and Delft where painters such as Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer lived and worked. But far from just being about big cities and Dutch history, this tour is β€¦

Read more about this tour
From € 1,429 p.p.
  • Bike through the Green Heart of Holland
  • Historical cities Amsterdam & Leiden
  • Rijksmuseum & Delft porcelain studio
  • Barges with max. 24 passengers
Request a quote Check availability

Get in contact

Monday to Friday

Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00
New York: 6:00AM to 7:00PM

+31 (0) 20 72 35 400NL

+1 203 814 1249USA

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Send us an email

See all contact possibilities

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    Holland: Green Heart of Holland Request a quote Check availability
      2026 2027

      Holland: Green Heart of Holland

      During this eight day/seven night, tour on board of one of the charming barges you will discover the β€˜Green Heart’ of Holland by bike, a region steeped in history, natural attractions, world famous cities and beautiful scenery.

      Along the way you will visit historical cities such as Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, Leiden and Gouda. You will discover many culturally historic attractions and, more importantly, you will be able to immerse yourself in the heart of this fascinating and very Dutch part of Holland.

      Also, if you are an art lover, you will enjoy the visits to Leiden, Haarlem and Delft where painters such as Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer lived and worked. But far from just being about big cities and Dutch history, this tour is also about the picturesque villages and beautiful scenery of the β€˜green lung’ districts of central part and South-Holland province. One thing is certain: by the end of the tour you will not only go home with a new-found appreciation for bike and barge cruising, but for everything that is Dutch.

      A bonus during this tour is the fact that the barges docks in and around the city center of the various cities and villages visited at the end of each day’s cycling, giving you the opportunity to visit and explore at your leisure at night.

      The ship – Your sailing hotel

      In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.

      Fully Guided

      Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way. You can also choose to ride individually with the help of the Ride with GPS app and our BBT cycling map (available on board).

      Itinerary

      Open all days Collapse all days
      Day 1 Amsterdam

      Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from 2 p.m. in the center of Amsterdam. After unpacking your luggage in your cabin an introduction to the tour will take place at 3 p.m. After that your rental bicycles will be distributed and your tour leader will invite you to a short test-ride. Upon your return your first dinner on board will be served.

      Day 2 Amsterdam – Zaandam | Zaandam – Zaanse Schans – Haarlem
      40km24 mi or 55km34 mi

      After a short cruise on board the barge, you are finally off and cycling today after first visiting the lovely open-air museum β€˜Zaanse Schans’ in Zaandam where an authentic 18th and 19th century Dutch village has been reconstructed. In the museum you will learn about iconic Dutch traditions such as windmills and cheese and clog making. You will then cycle to Haarlem where celebrated portraitist and genre painter Frans Hals lived and worked in the 16th century. In the evening you can stroll through the lovely city center and the Grote Markt (market square). If preferred, today’s cycling tour can also be extended with a visit to the sea locks of IJmuiden and the Kennemer Dunes. During this cycling tour you can visit some forts of the Defense Line of Amsterdam (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

      Day 3 Haarlem – North Sea coast – Leiden
      42km26 mi or 50km31 mi

      After enjoying breakfast with your newfound cycling friends, you will pedal today along the North Sea coast through seaside dunes via the resorts of Noordwijk and Katwijk aan Zee to the vibrant university city of Leiden, the birthplace of celebrated artist Rembrandt van Rijn. The city’s picturesque old city center is crisscrossed with canals lined by beautiful 17th-century buildings and is very definitely a must to see. The shorter cycling tour leads you from Haarlem to Cruquius (steam engine museum) and Hillegom (several flower nurseries) to Leiden.

      Day 4 Leiden – Delft
      35km21 mi or 41km25 mi

      From Leiden you will cycle to Delft, famous for its Blue porcelain (Delftware), where you will have the opportunity to visit a porcelain studio. Another major attraction in the beautiful city center of Delft is the royal crypt of the House of Orange. The longer cycling tour brings you to The Hague, where you can visit the Binnenhof (Parliament) and the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) and then continues to end in Delft.

      Day 5 Delft – Rotterdam – Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Gouda
      23km14 mi or 66km41 mi

      This morning you will sail from Delft on the barge to the city of Rotterdam. From here you can hop on the β€œWaterbus”, a fast ferry that will bring you and your bicycle over the river in 30-40 minutes to Alblasserdam. From there you cycle just a few miles to Kinderdijk, world famous for an impressive row of 19 large windmills. These 19 windmills have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing and are a definite highlight. From Kinderdijk you will cycle directly to the cheese city of Gouda, or if you prefer, on a longer tour via the silver city of Schoonhoven to Gouda, your destination for the day. Dinner tonight (not included) will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).

      Day 6 Gouda – Kudelstaart
      45km27 mi or 55km34 mi

      The highlight of today’s cycling tour is the naturally idyllic beauty of the South Holland landscape. Your destination for the day is the village of Kudelstaart where the barge will be waiting for you. Along the way you will cycle along numerous small canals and past picture-perfect farms and small villages. At the mooring place on the banks of the Westeinder Plassen (β€˜West End’ lakes) there is a beautiful view to savor while enjoying a wine during or after dinner.

      Day 7 Kudelstaart – Aalsmeer – Amsterdam
      32km19 mi

      If you are keen for an early start to the day you can visit the largest trade center for plants and flowers in the world at Aalsmeer (optional extra, not included). The market is a hive of activity; it is guaranteed that you will never have seen so many flowers in the one place. After a late breakfast you can either stay on board the barge as it cruises through the City of Amsterdam to its mooring place or you can cycle into the city through the city park β€˜Amsterdamse Bos’ or along the Amstel river. Once you reach Amsterdam take the opportunity during the afternoon and evening to go for a canal cruise, discover Anne Frank’s House, the Rembrandt House Museum, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and Dam Square, the very center and heart of the city.

      Day 8 Amsterdam

      End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

      Good to know
      • Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
      • On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
      • If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
      • The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
      • On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.
      • A detailed cycling map and a GPS app are available for guests who wish to cycle individually and at their own pace. The tour guide is always available via cell phone in case of questions, breakdowns or emergencies.

      The bicycles of Boat Bike Tours

      Always the best rental bikes

      The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. We’ll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tour’s price.

      Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.

      Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Tours’s e-bikes.

      Bicycle helmets
      The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safety’s sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a β€œlimit of liability for damage or loss” for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.

      Other rental items
      Other items such as children’s bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.

      Taking your own bike or e-bike?
      The fee for parking your own bicycle is €10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is €25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guest’s own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.

      Read more about our rental bikes Close extra information
      Cyclists in a green landscape

      Touring bikes

      Our bicycles have a lightweight aluminum frame and are furnished with highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds and a gel seat whose height can be adjusted. Attached to the frame is an easy-to-use lock and the wheels carry puncture-resistant tires.

      E-bikes

      Our e-bikes also have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame and special anti-puncture tires.

      Taking your own bicycle

      It is possible to take your own bike or e-bike with you, as long as it doesn’t have mirrors or other elements that stick out. There’s only limited space available on board for guests’ bikes. You can reserve a place for your bike for a small fee. Boat Bike tours is not responsible for damage to your bike or for theft.

      Prices & availability

      Saturday
      May 2, 2026
      Saturday
      May 9, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Sarah
      Available
      Prices from
      €1,529.00 p.p.
      Saturday
      May 9, 2026
      Saturday
      May 16, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Sarah
      Available
      Prices from
      €1,529.00 p.p.
      Saturday
      May 16, 2026
      Saturday
      May 23, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Sarah
      Available
      Prices from
      €1,529.00 p.p.
      Jun 6, 2026Jun 13, 2026
      Fully booked
      Saturday
      Jun 13, 2026
      Saturday
      Jun 20, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Sarah
      Available
      –€200.00
      Prices from
      €1,529.00 p.p.
      €1,329.00 p.p.
      Jun 20, 2026Jun 27, 2026
      Fully booked
      Saturday
      Jun 27, 2026
      Saturday
      Jul 4, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Flora
      Available
      –€200.00
      Prices from
      €1,509.00 p.p.
      €1,309.00 p.p.
      Saturday
      Jul 4, 2026
      Saturday
      Jul 11, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Flora
      Available
      –€200.00
      Prices from
      €1,509.00 p.p.
      €1,309.00 p.p.
      Saturday
      Jul 11, 2026
      Saturday
      Jul 18, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Gandalf
      Available
      –€200.00
      Prices from
      €1,429.00 p.p.
      €1,229.00 p.p.
      Saturday
      Aug 22, 2026
      Saturday
      Aug 29, 2026
      Amsterdam, Oosterdok
      Guided
      Flora
      Available
      –€200.00
      Prices from
      €1,509.00 p.p.
      €1,309.00 p.p.

      Practical information

      Included in this tour
      • 8 days/7 nights
      • 7 x breakfast
      • Packed lunches
      • 6 x 3-course dinner
      • Coffee and tea on board
      • Welcome drink
      • Use of bed linen and towels
      • Daily cleaning of the cabin
      • Daily briefings by the tour leader
      • Fully guided cycling tours
      • BBT cyclingmap (1 per cabin)
      • GPS tracks
      • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
      • Biodegradable water bottle
      • Fees for ferries
      • Wi-Fi
      • The CO2 emissions from this trip will be offset through Trees for All and plastic recycler Orca.
      Show all Show less
      Excluded from this tour
      • 1x diner
      • Drinks
      • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
      • Helmet rental
      • Personal insurances
      • Gratuities (at your discretion)
      • Entrance fees and excursions
      • Transfers to/from the docking place
      • Parking fees
      • SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person – will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
      Show all Show less
      Additional options & information

      2026:

      • Rental bicycle: € 91 per week
      • Rental E-Bike: € 252 per week (only on request, limited number available)
      • Helmets: A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.
      • Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle β‚¬14/week (only bookable in advance)
      • Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike β‚¬28/week (only bookable in advance)
      • Please click on this link for more information
      • Parking own bicycle: β‚¬ 14 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
      • Parking + charge station own E-Bike: β‚¬ 28 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
      • Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes
      • Parking in Amsterdam (valet parking): prices and pre-booking here.

      Loyalty Discount

      Explore our Loyalty Discount!

      After your tour, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code:

      • You get 3% on your second tour with us.
      • From the third tour onwards, you will receive a 5% discount.
      • Enjoy savings on any of our upcoming trips in 2026.

      Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!

      Discover more

      The Netherlands is a paradise for cycling and sailing enthusiasts. Discover more tours in the Netherlands with routes through tulip fields, historic cities, and scenic countryside.

      Media (23)

      Cyclists at the windmill
      Cyclists at the windmill
      Haarlem with boats, water and swans
      Haarlem
      House in Zaanse Schans
      Zaanse Schans
      Windmills in Zaanse Schans
      Windmills in Zaanse Schans
      House in Zaanse Schans with some water
      Zaanse Schans
      Inntel hotel in Zaandam
      Zaandam
      Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam
      Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam
      Beach at the North Sea with a statue and bikes
      Beach at the North Sea
      Leiden with a canal, a bridge and the promenade beside
      Leiden
      Windmills in Kinderdijk
      Windmills in Kinderdijk
      Windmill and a bike in Kinderdijk
      A windmill in Kinderdijk
      Spaarne River with a bridge that opens in Haarlem
      Spaarne River in Haarlem
      Laurens Jan Koster Geert Snoeijer in Haarlem
      Laurens Jan Koster Geert Snoeijer
      Streets of Gouda
      Streets of Gouda
      Square in Gouda
      Gouda
      City hall in Delft
      City hall in Delft
      Cyclists are taking a break
      Cyclists are taking a break
      Cyclists on the beach
      Cyclists on the beach
      Amsterdam with several bikes
      Amsterdam
      Amsterdam with a canal, a bike and beautiful flowers
      Amsterdam
      Canal Houses in Amsterdam
      Canal Houses in Amsterdam
      Flower Auction in Aalsmeer
      Flower Auction in Aalsmeer
      Flower Auction in Aalsmeer
      Flower Auction in Aalsmeer
      Show more media Show less media

      Reviews

      5/5
      based on 26 reviews on
      5 star
      		17 (65%)
      4 star
      		8 (31%)
      3 star
      		0 (0%)
      2 star
      		1 (4%)
      1 star
      		0 (0%)
      • 5 / 5
        We had a fun group of people

        We had a fun group of people, including the bike guide and the ship crew. We also were able to see a lot of interesting things on this bike tour.

        Reply from Boat Bike Tours

        Thank you for sharing your experience! We re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the company of your fellow travelers, the guide, and the crew, and that the tour gave you the chance to discover so many interesting places. We hope to welcome you on board again for another great adventure! Best regards, Team Boat Bike Tours

        Read more Read less
        Stan Kempema
        Sep 17th, 2025
      • 2 / 5
        Our itinerary was completely changed&

        Our itinerary was completely changed without any input from the tour members. This lead to cycling to areas vastly different from what we were expecting.

        Reply from Boat Bike Tours

        Dear Maureen, Thank you for your review. We re very sorry that the change of itinerary impacted your experience and did not meet your expectations. Unfortunately, due to unexpected waterway closures, we had to make this difficult decision at the very start of the tour. We ve sent you a personal email with more explanation and a gesture of goodwill.

        Read more Read less
        Maureen Galasco
        Jul 24th, 2025
      • 5 / 5
        Ron was an excellent guide

        Ron was an excellent guide. We learned so much about the history and culture. Biking through the country was incredible. We loved the bread and cheese.

        Reply from Boat Bike Tours

        Thank you for your kind review. We’re happy to hear that Ron enriched your journey with insights into the history and culture, and that you enjoyed biking through the country. We hope to welcome you again on board in the future. Kind regards, Boat Bike Tours

        Read more Read less
        Mary Brander
        Jun 17th, 2025
      • 5 / 5
        A Wonderful Experience in Northwestern Netherlands

        β€œThe β€œβ€Green Heart of Holland”” itinerary gave us a nice introduction to northwestern Netherlands, full of interesting sites and gorgeous landscapes. Our Dutch guide, Patrick, was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and patient with our large group of Germans, Americans, and Canadians. He had to be flexible and creative due to weather and other changing conditions. The crew was friendly and helpful, and Hans’s dinners were wonderful. The boat is basically furnished and cozy; it all made for a wonderful trip.”

        Kirsten Mickelwait
        Jun 19th, 2024

      Can we help you?

      NL: +31 (0) 20 72 35 400

      Monday to Friday
      Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00

      USA: +1 203 814 1249

      Monday to Friday
      New York: 6:00AM to 07:00PM

      Send us an email

      We will respond within 48 hours

      3 Ships available for this tour

      • The Flora The Flora

        Flora

        • Openable windows
        • Free coffee and tea 24/7
        • Storage space under the beds
        • Third bed available
        max. 24 passengers 11 cabins
        More info
      • The ship Gandalf sails into Amsterdam The ship Gandalf passes an open bridge in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the streetcar has to wait. Two passengers enjoy The view from the ship Gandalf while floating along a city. Bicycles and passengers on the sun deck of the ship Gandalf.

        Gandalf

        • Openable windows in cabins
        • Generator
        • Third bed available
        • Two sun decks
        max. 20 passengers 10 cabins
        More info

      • Sarah

        • Openable windows in cabins
        • Covered sundeck
        • Third bed available
        • Cozy lounge space
        max. 22 passengers 10 cabins
        More info

      • Netherlands & Belgium: Amsterdam – Bruges or Bruges – Amsterdam Relax

        Take time to explore Holland & Flanders

        • Colorful Holland & Flanders bike tours
        • World-famous Amsterdam & Ghent
        • Extra time to relax in Antwerp & Bruges
        • Barge with max. 20 passengers
        11 days
        17 reviews
        Guided
        1 Difficulty level 1
        From:
        € 1,929
        Details & booking

      • Netherlands: Hansa Highlights

        Immerse yourself in medieval times

        • Cycling along the Rhine & IJssel
        • Hanseatic cities like Deventer & Kampen
        • Learn about the reclaimed polderlands
        • Ships with max. 71 passengers
        8 days
        93 reviews
        Semi-guided
        1 Difficulty level 1
        From:
        € 849
        Details & booking
      • Discount

        Netherlands: Amsterdam – Maastricht or or Maastricht – Amsterdam

        Discover Dutch rivers

        • Discover magical green river landscapes
        • Historical cities Utrecht & Maastricht
        • Vibrant Limburg province hospitality
        • Barges with max. 20 passengers
        8 days
        56 reviews
        Guided
        1 Difficulty level 1
        From:
        € 1,399
        Details & booking
      Questions or advice

      Our Tour Advisors are here to assist you:
Monday to Friday
      Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00
      New York: 6:00AM to 7:00PM

      NL: +31 (0) 20 72 35 400
      USA: +1 203 814 1249

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      Β© 2026 Boat Bike Tours B.V. All information on this website is subject to change. Any typographical and/or graphical errors are unintentional but cannot be excluded; only your travel confirmation is legally binding. Our General Traveller Terms and Conditions for package tours apply to all trips, programs, offers and travel confirmations.

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      This website is owned and operated by Boat Bike Tours B.V. Our contact details (head office): Aambeeldstraat 20, 1021 KB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, info@boatbiketours.com, Chamber of Commerce number: 37147084, VAT number: NL8203.26.513.B01

      Your selected tour:

      Holland: Green Heart of Holland

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