6 Best bike tour Amsterdam

Wanna be a real Amsterdammer and discover the city’s fairytale streets with a bike tour? In this post, I share the best bike tour Amsterdam and some tips on how to handle your first bike ride on the famous Dutch bike lanes.

I know, biking in Amsterdam can be intimidating: even the people who use the bike regularly feel overwhelmed sometimes. On top of having to be careful of the traffic, it’s easy to get distracted by the beautiful surroundings and not pay attention to the road. But honestly, it’s the best way to visit the city and would make you feel like a true local! That’s why I always recommend my friends and family visiting to start with an organized bike tour Amsterdam if they are not ready to explore on their own!

8 reasons you should have a bike tour Amsterdam

1. Live like a local: as soon as you arrive in the city, you’ll realize how much the Dutch love their bikes. It’s ingrained in their culture, and as long as they have breath in their lungs, they’ll bike everywhere. 
2. It’s good exercise. It’s easy to indulge when in Amsterdam, so biking through the city is a great way to burn off some of that beer and fries.
3. Cost-effective: Renting a bike for a full day costs less than €10, which is much more economical than taking taxis or even multiple trips with public transport. 
4. Flat as a pannenkoek: the Netherlands is one of the flattest countries in the world, and Amsterdam’s elevation is about −2 m (−6.6 ft) below sea level. This makes the city easy to bike around and accessible to every fitness level. 
5. Eco is the way to go: visiting the town on a bike is the greenest solution. The city offers an extensive public transport network, but why not go fully green and explore the city at zero emission? 
6. It’s convenient when on a short visit: biking around allows you to see much more of the city than walking, as well as using the metro or taxis. You can pass through parks and small streets and reach your destination faster. 
7. Allow more spontaneity in your trip: We often plan a trip a lot and rarely leave time for spontaneity and surprises. But if you plan on exploring the city on a bike, then you can easily take a break whenever something catches your attention, whether a lively food market, a cozy café, or any of Amsterdam’s hidden gems. 
8. Safety is not a problem: in December 2023, the long-awaited 30 km / h speed limit finally came into effect in Amsterdam. This makes the city super safe! Please note that the speed limit also applies to (electric) bikes, in case you plan to rent one. 

Can you go on a bike tour Amsterdam every time of the year?

Short answer? Yes, you can. Amsterdam is never too cold or warm to bike. Cycling is a very good way to keep warm when visiting the city during winter months, and stopping for a drink is an excellent excuse to cool down in case it gets warm during summertime.

Remember to check the weather forecast before you go on your bike tour. It’s surprising how fast the weather can change in Amsterdam, and you want to avoid being taken off guard by the rain. Biking under the rain with an umbrella is nearly impossible (although you see some heroes through the city managing it), so make sure to have a cap and rain jacket with you. That’s the real Amsterdam experience!

Here’s my recommendation for 6 best bike tour Amsterdam:

1. Guided bike tour Amsterdam: The easiest way to learn your way around the city is to follow a local. A guided bike tour will take riders along the UNESCO-listed canal ring, with various stops to must-see places throughout the city. In addition, it’s the best way to get comfortable with biking, as the guides will take you only on official bike paths and cycling-friendly locations. 
2. Themed bike tour Amsterdam: the city has a lot to offer for every kind of visitor. Do you enjoy food, and are you up for a gastronomic adventure? The No Diet Club – Food Tour is one of the best. Are you in Amsterdam to discover its vibrant street art scene? Then the best solution is to rent your bike and head to Amsterdam Noord. You can safely bike around the NDSM area and admire the colorful murals and installations that adorn the city’s walls. Don’t forget to stop by STRAAT MUSEUM, one of Amsterdam’s hidden gems.
3. Bike tour beyond the city center: who said bike tours are limited to the city center? There is plenty to see in the surrounding countryside: windmills, tulip fields, quaint villages, etc. No particular skill level is required since the flat topography of the Netherlands makes cycling accessible for everyone!
4. E-Bikes bike tour Amsterdam: rather keep your comfort and explore the city around an e-bike? That’s totally fine too! Many Amsterdammers switched to e-bikes, so you’ll fit right into the crowd. Check out this tour for an electric fat bike tour. 
5. Multi-day bike tour: for those spending enough time in Amsterdam, there is also the option to go on a multi-day bike tour across the surrounding Dutch countryside. You can ride through cute little villages, experience the hospitality of bed and breakfast accommodations, and enjoy the tranquility of nature. The best way to go on this tour is to rent your bike and follow your preferred route. You can check the routes through Bike Map. 
6. Boozy bike tour Amsterdam: are you in Amsterdam for a bachelor or bachelorette party? Or are you simply looking for something fun and unusual to do? The Bar on Wheels is the perfect solution, and you can choose between beer and Prosecco (or both!). 

Exploring the city without a guided bike tour Amsterdam and renting your bike is also possible. You should keep in mind:

• Type of bike: Amsterdam is flat (apart from the occasional bridge), so a city bike will do just fine. If you want to have a little extra support, an e-bike or hybrid bike can be fun! 
• Speed limit: As mentioned at the beginning of the article, a new speed limit of 30 km / h has come into effect in Amsterdam. This makes biking around town safer, but it also applies to e-bikes and hybrid bikes, so be careful. You wouldn’t want to get a speed ticket when riding a bike.
• Rental duration: Make sure you rent it for a little longer than you think you’ll need. You might want to make stops along the way, and a two-hour bike ride can easily transform into a full day of sightseeing and cafe hopping. 
• Lock your bike! Everyone in Amsterdam has a bike, but they still get stolen somehow! Make sure to get a good lock from the bike rental shop, and always, ALWAYS lock your bike. 
• Be aware of the tram lanes: Biking in Amsterdam is easy until you have to cross a road with tram lanes. Be careful when you ride across it to avoid getting stuck and risking going straight face down.

I hope I have given you enough reasons to explore Amsterdam on a bike! If I didn’t convince you, you may want to explore Amsterdam from another very local point of view: the canals! Check out this post for more suggestions.