Amsterdam is a city built for bikes, and a guided bike tour is the safest and most enjoyable way to try it, because someone else deals with the traffic rules, the route and the other cyclists. This three-hour tour starts at Spuistraat 30, in the centre, where the operator, We Bike Amsterdam, supplies the bicycle and gives you a briefing before you set off with a professional English-speaking guide. The booking page says the tour is rated 4.9 out of 5 from more than 4,500 reviews, which is an unusually large and strong record, and the group size is limited to about twelve. The route runs through the main sights of the old city: the Canal Ring, Prinseneiland, the Jordaan, the Toussaint café for a break, a pass-by of the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, the Concertgebouw, the Begijnhof and the Van Gogh Museum, with stops of ten to thirty minutes in places. Admission to the museums is not included, so you ride past and stop for photographs rather than going inside. A helmet is available on request, and a short break for food and drink is included with no obligation to order. Free cancellation is available up to twenty-four hours before the tour, and the ticket is mobile.
Is it right for you
A bike tour is the best choice if you are reasonably fit, confident on a bicycle and want to cover a lot of ground. It is less suitable if you have not ridden for years, if you are nervous in traffic, or if you have mobility problems, as the operator lists a moderate fitness requirement and says the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Children must be accompanied by an adult, and infant seats are available; the child rate applies when sharing with two paying adults. Amsterdam's cycle paths are busy, so be prepared for roads, tram tracks and crossings.
Practical advice
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and consider a light waterproof in case of showers. Ask for a helmet if you want one, as it is provided on request. Reviewers recommend a morning start to avoid crowds on the paths, and a few mention watching carefully for other cyclists and keeping to the guide's instructions.
The tour is not a substitute for entering the museums, so book entry to the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum separately if you want to go inside. The route can change slightly depending on conditions, so treat the stop list as a guide rather than a promise.
Making it work
The tour is a very good first-day activity, because it gives you a feel for the city and tells you where you want to return. If you prefer to ride at your own pace, you can rent a bike elsewhere, but you will not get the commentary. For a quieter, longer ride away from the city, the Waterland and Marken route on this site gives a taste of the countryside. After the tour, a stroll through the Vondelpark or a coffee in the Jordaan is a natural way to finish.
What to expect
The experience
A guided bike tour of about three hours in a small group, with a break for coffee and stops at the canal ring, Jordaan, Vondelpark and Museumplein.
Best time
A morning start, which reviewers say avoids crowds on the cycle paths.
How long
Three hours.
Tips
Ask for a helmet, wear comfortable clothes, follow the guide through traffic and book museum entry separately.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Active first-time visitors who want to see the main sights quickly and learn local cycling habits.
- Families
- Good with confident older children; infant seats are available, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Couples
- A fun shared activity, with a break at a cafe and plenty of photo stops.
- Pair with
- A museum visit afterwards, or an evening canal cruise.
- Time needed
- Three hours.
Good questions
Where does the bike tour start?+
At Spuistraat 30 in central Amsterdam, where the operator supplies the bicycle. The page suggests searching for We Bike Amsterdam on a map.
How long is the tour?+
About three hours, with a short break for food and drink and no obligation to order.
How big are the groups?+
A maximum of twelve travellers, according to the booking page.
Do I need to be fit?+
The operator lists a moderate fitness level. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and the streets are busy.
Are the museums included?+
No. Admission to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum is not included; the tour stops outside for photographs.
