800,000
Bikes in the city
500 km
Of cycle lanes
1,500+
Bridges to cross
#1
Cycling city in the world
Why Amsterdam is the World's Greatest Cycling City
Amsterdam was not always a cycling city. In the 1970s, residents took to the streets to reclaim space from cars — and they won. Today, cycling is woven into the DNA of Amsterdam life. The city's famous canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best explored at cycling pace: slow enough to absorb the architecture, fast enough to cover the whole city in a day. Whether you are navigating the narrow lanes of the Jordaan, cruising through Vondelpark, or crossing the IJ river by free ferry to Amsterdam Noord, every ride reveals a new layer of this extraordinary city.
Amsterdam's Best Cycling Neighbourhoods
Each neighbourhood has its own character — explore them all on two wheels.
The Jordaan
The Jordaan is Amsterdam's most beloved neighbourhood — a maze of narrow streets, hidden courtyards (hofjes), independent boutiques, and brown cafés (bruine kroegen) lining the Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht canals. Originally a working-class district, it is now one of the most desirable addresses in Europe. Cycling through the Jordaan at your own pace, stopping for a coffee or a stroopwafel, is one of Amsterdam's great pleasures.
- Prinsengracht & Brouwersgracht canals
- Anne Frank House
- Hidden hofje courtyards
- Noordermarkt Saturday market
- Brown café culture
Vondelpark & Museum Quarter
Vondelpark is Amsterdam's most famous park — 47 hectares of lawns, ponds, rose gardens, and cycling paths in the heart of the city. On a sunny day it fills with cyclists, rollerbladers, musicians, and picnickers. Just outside the park's southern entrance lies the Museum Quarter: the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum all within cycling distance of each other. The iconic 'I Amsterdam' letters and the Museumplein square are a must-see.
- Vondelpark cycling loop (47 ha)
- Rijksmuseum & Museumplein
- Van Gogh Museum
- Concertgebouw concert hall
- Leidseplein nightlife square
De Pijp & Heineken Experience
De Pijp is Amsterdam's most multicultural and bohemian neighbourhood. The Albert Cuyp Market — the largest outdoor market in the Netherlands — runs through its heart every weekday and Saturday. Cycle past the Heineken Experience brewery, browse the market stalls, and explore the side streets lined with independent restaurants, vintage shops, and coffee bars. De Pijp is where Amsterdam's creative class lives, eats, and cycles.
- Albert Cuyp Market (daily)
- Heineken Experience brewery
- Sarphatipark neighbourhood park
- Pijp café & restaurant scene
- Diverse street food culture
Amsterdam Noord & NDSM Wharf
Amsterdam Noord is the city's fastest-growing creative district, reached by a free 5-minute ferry from behind Centraal Station. The NDSM Wharf is a vast former shipyard turned arts and culture hub, with street art murals, creative studios, food trucks, and the EYE Film Museum on the waterfront. Cycling through Noord feels like discovering a different city — raw, creative, and completely unlike the tourist-heavy centre.
- Free IJ ferry from Centraal Station
- NDSM Wharf street art & studios
- EYE Film Museum on the waterfront
- A'DAM Tower lookout
- Buiksloterham creative district
Amsterdam Guided E-Bike Tours
Expert local guides, small groups, and quality e-bikes — the best way to experience Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Highlights E-Bike Tour
From €35The perfect introduction to Amsterdam. Our expert local guide leads you through the canal ring, the Jordaan, Vondelpark, the Museum Quarter, and the historic harbour — covering all the city's iconic sights while sharing the stories and secrets that make Amsterdam unique. Suitable for all fitness levels.
What's included
Amsterdam Noord & Hidden Gems Tour
From €45Go beyond the tourist trail and discover the Amsterdam that locals love. Cross the IJ by free ferry, explore the NDSM Wharf's street art scene, cycle through the creative Buiksloterham district, and visit hidden courtyards and neighbourhood markets that most visitors never find. A completely different side of Amsterdam.
What's included
Keukenhof & Tulip Fields Day Trip
From €89Escape the city and cycle through the world-famous Bollenstreek tulip fields to Keukenhof Gardens — 32 hectares of 7 million flowers in bloom. Available March to May only, this is one of the most spectacular cycling experiences in Europe. The route is completely flat and passes through charming Dutch villages, windmills, and endless fields of colour.
What's included
Explore Amsterdam at Your Own Pace
Four hand-picked cycling routes — from a quick canal loop to a full countryside day trip.
Canal Ring Classic
The essential Amsterdam cycling route. Follow the four main canals — Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht — in a loop through the UNESCO-listed canal ring. Pass the Anne Frank House, the Westerkerk, the Flower Market, and dozens of the city's most beautiful canal houses.
Parks & Museums Route
A leisurely route through Amsterdam's green spaces and cultural highlights. Start at Vondelpark, cycle past the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, continue through the Pijp neighbourhood to Sarphatipark, then loop back via the Amstel river and the Artis Zoo.
Noord & the IJ Waterfront
Cross the IJ by free ferry and explore Amsterdam's creative north. Cycle through the NDSM Wharf, along the IJ waterfront, through the Buiksloterham district, and back via the eastern harbour islands of Java, KNSM, and Borneo — some of the most innovative residential architecture in Europe.
Amsterdam Countryside Escape
Escape the city and cycle through the classic Dutch polder landscape. Head north through Waterland — a protected nature reserve of polders, dykes, and tiny villages — to the historic fishing village of Marken or Volendam on the IJmeer. Completely flat, well-signposted, and utterly beautiful.
Rent a Bike in Amsterdam
Our Amsterdam rental fleet includes city bikes, 7-speed e-bikes, kids' bikes, tandem bikes, and cargo bikes — everything you need to explore the city independently. All rentals include a helmet, heavy-duty lock, handlebar bag, and a detailed cycling map of Amsterdam with our recommended routes marked. Pick up and drop off at our central Amsterdam location near Centraal Station.
Every rental includes
City Bike
Classic Dutch-style 3-speed city bike
From €8
From 2 hours
E-Bike
Powerful 7-speed electric bike
From €18
From 2 hours
Kids Bike
Available in multiple sizes
From €6
From 2 hours
Tandem
Perfect for couples & friends
From €20
From 2 hours
Cargo Bike
Carry luggage or children
From €22
From 2 hours
Full Day
Best value for a full day
From €28
24 hours
Practical Information for Cycling in Amsterdam
Watch Out for Tram Tracks
Amsterdam's tram tracks are the number one hazard for visiting cyclists. Always cross tram tracks at a right angle (90°) to prevent your wheel from getting caught. Never ride along the tracks. This is the single most important safety tip for cycling in Amsterdam.
Lock Your Bike Properly
Bike theft is common in Amsterdam. Always use two locks — one through the frame and wheel to a fixed object, and one through the wheel. Our rental bikes come with a heavy-duty lock. Never leave your bike unlocked, even for a minute.
Parking Your Bike
Always park in designated bike racks. Do not lock your bike to bridges, lampposts, or fences — the city regularly removes illegally parked bikes. The main train stations have large underground bike parking facilities (fietsenstalling) that are free for the first 24 hours.
Use Your Bell
Amsterdam cyclists use their bells constantly to communicate with pedestrians and other cyclists. Ring your bell when approaching pedestrians on shared paths, when overtaking, and when entering junctions. It is not rude — it is essential cycling etiquette.
Best Time to Cycle
April to October is ideal. Spring (April–May) is magical with tulips in bloom and mild temperatures. Summer brings long days and a lively atmosphere. Avoid cycling in the city centre on Saturday afternoons in summer — it gets extremely busy. Early mornings are the best time for peaceful canal cycling.
Navigation Tips
Download the free Fietsknoop app or use Google Maps cycling mode — both work well in Amsterdam. The knooppunten (numbered junction) system covers the surrounding countryside perfectly. In the city, follow the blue-and-white cycling signs. Our rental bikes come with a detailed Amsterdam cycling map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about cycling in Amsterdam.
Top-Rated Bike Tours in Amsterdam
Handpicked guided bike tours — from canal highlights to windmill countryside rides. All with free cancellation.
Guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam's Highlights & Hidden Gems
Countryside Bike Tour from Amsterdam: Cheese, Clogs & a Windmill
Amsterdam City Top Highlights Guided Bike Tour
Amsterdam Cheese, Windmill & Countryside Bike Tour / E-bike Option
Amsterdam Small Group Bike Tour
Cheese, Canals & Windmill Countryside E-Bike Tour Amsterdam
Escape Amsterdam: E-Bike to Zaanse Schans Windmills & Zaandam
Amsterdam E Bike Tour to the Windmills of Zaanse Schans
Tours powered by Viator — free cancellation on most tours.