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Best Amsterdam Bike Tours

Updated: June 3, 2022

This is a comparison of the various bike tours, both within and outside of the city, bike rentals as well as money-saving deals available to you in Amsterdam. 

 
The Netherlands is an excellent country to cycle thanks well-marked bike paths and very few hills!

Thus, unsurprisingly, there are many different companies offering bike tours of Amsterdam and the surrounding countryside.

We've broken down all of the different types of tours by category and then compared them by quality and price so that you can find what's right for you!


KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

(1) Be sure to inquire about a helmet as some companies will not automatically supply you with one. 

(2) Don't worry if you're not used to biking in a city. Your guide will help familiarize you with the rules of the road, so you'll be left feeling comfortable and confident in no time!

(3) Remember that Amsterdam is a FULL of cyclists, so make sure you yield to locals who are using their bike to commute to work.

(4) Thankfully, the large number of cyclists means that there are also a lot of clearly marked bike lanes. Stay within these lanes and follow basic traffic safety laws to avoid an unnecessary collision.


GUIDED CITY BIKE TOURS 

There are several highly-rated companies leading guided tours around Central Amsterdam.

All feature very similar sites and attractions such as the famous canals, Museum Square, Oude Kerk, the Royal Palace, the Red Light, and many others.

The biggest difference between each company is the length and price of their tours, with 1-hour tours averaging €20/person and 3-hour tours around €30.

Most companies offer tours in English, Dutch, Spanish as well as French.

Most limit their groups to 12 riders, though online reviews seem to imply this isn't always the case, so read the fine print, especially with less expensive tours.

Below are a few of our top picks, but there are really many more options to browse.

All tours listed below can be canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before you ride.


We Bike Amsterdam 

We Bike Amsterdam run a 3-hour bike tour of the city that aims to explore the lesser-known part of Amsterdam.

You will visit hidden courtyards and churches of the Jordaan, Vondelpark, Museumplein, and your local guide's favorite coffee shop. 

This company guarantees that their guides are "locally born and bred" and English speaking.

They have a nearly perfect review rating on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide (read the reviews).

They also supply ponchos in case of rain, though helmets are only given upon request. 


Amsterdam 3-Hour Bike Tour: Backstreets and Hidden Gems

  • 3-hour tour of Amsterdam's backstreets and hidden gems 
  • 10:00 am and 14:00 (2 pm) most days of the week
  • €29.50 per person
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

A-Bike Rental and Tours

A-Bike Rental and Tours offer 2 different guided tours of the city, a standard 3-hour bike tour, and an abbreviated 1-hour trip.

They are also a well-reviewed sightseeing company.

Similarly, they also offer a 1-hour tour of Vondelpark, which is a beautiful city escape featuring canals, rose gardens, and sculptures of the park. Concludes at a coffee shop. 


1-Hour Guided Amsterdam Tour

  • 1-hour highlights tour around the city 
  • Departs daily at 14:00 (2 pm) 
  • €20 per person
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

2.5-Hour Guided Amsterdam Tour 

  • Departs daily at 10:00 am and 15:30 (3:30 pm) 
  • €30 per person
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

Mike's Bike Tours and Rentals

Mike's Bike Tours and Rentals is one of the larger and more popular tour companies in Amsterdam.

This company is also well-reviewed.

They offer a standard 3-hour tour of the city center. Your guide will also share their knowledge about Amsterdam's 'coffee shop' culture, giving you an insider's perspective. 


Amsterdam City Bike Tours

  • 3 hour guided bike tour around the city center
  • Departs daily at either 11:00 am or 12:00 pm  
  • €37.91 per person
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

Additional Companies

As mentioned above, there are but there are really many bike tours in Amsterdam


AMSTERDAM COUNTRYSIDE BIKE TOURS

Those nervous about cycling on Amsterdam's busy streets should consider taking a bike tour into the countryside.

It's a short bike ride to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and into more peaceful surroundings.

There are 3 different companies offering these types of tours.

Amsterbike and Mike's Bike Tours and Rentals offer countryside tours that include a cheese tasting and clog-making demonstration.

Yellow Bike Tours offer a similar tour, though without the promise of visiting a cheese and clog factory. 


Amsterbike

Amsterbike's Windmills, Cheese, & Clogs Tour is very similar to Mike's Bike Tours (below), but 1 hour shorter and departs in the morning rather than the afternoon.

Sites include traditional Dutch houses, a windmill, a cheese farm, and a clog factory. Tours depart every morning at 10:00 am, allowing for plenty of time to sightsee more later in the day.

It is also slightly cheaper than Mike's Bike Tours. 

Windmills, Cheese & Clogs: 3-Hour Countryside Bike Tour

  • 3-hour bike tour into the countryside along the Amstel River to see historic houses, a windmill, and a cheese farm and clog factory
  • Departs daily at 10:00 am 
  • From €28/adult and €20/child 
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

Reviews of Amsterbike 

Though their city tour is much more popular, the 3-Hour Countryside Bike Tour offered by Amsterbike receives outstanding reviews.

Guests describe their experience as thoroughly enjoyable and a great day out. The bikes themselves are also praised for being of excellent quality.


Mike's Bike Tours and Rentals 

This 4-hour bike ride into the Dutch countryside visits historic windmills, a cheese farmhouse, and a wooden clog factory, amongst other sites.

You will also visit Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest and most well-known park, during your ride back.

Their guides are well-versed and will provide a historical background of each area as you go.

Rain ponchos are provided, but helmets are usually only available upon request. 

Amsterdam Countryside Bike Tour Including Cheese Tasting and Clog Demonstration

  • 4-hour bike tour through the countryside to see a historical windmill, a Dutch cheese farmhouse, and a factory where you will watch how wooden clogs are made. 
  • Departs daily at 12:00 pm 
  • From €46.91/adult and €39.28/youth
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

Reviews of Mike's Bike Tours and Rentals 

The Amsterdam Countryside Bike Tour is their most popular tour on offer. People who have taken it to call it the "perfect tour" and say that they "wish we had only done this sooner."

For many, the cheese farm and clog factory were the highlights of the tour. Several others commented on the tour's value, stating that they felt it was well worth the money.

The only consistent criticism comes from people who wished they had more time on the bikes. 


Yellow Bike Tours

Yellow Bike Tours also lead countryside tours outside of Amsterdam. The half-day bike ride brings you past beautiful villages, waterways, and a windmill.

You also are allowed a 45-minute break for lunch to enjoy in the idyllic countryside. At $38 per person, this tour is slightly more expensive than the others on offer.  

Amsterdam: Dutch Countryside Half-Day Bike Ride

  • 4-hour tour through the Dutch countryside on flat trails 
  • Departs daily at 10:30 am 
  • From €34.50/adult and €17.25/child
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

Reviews of Yellow Bike Tours 

Once again, this company's city tour is their most popular. However, the Dutch Countryside Half-Day Bike Tour is very highly praised.


AMSTERDAM BIKE RENTALS

For those who don't have the time or interest in taking a cycling tour, you can also opt to simply rent a bike for a day to take a self-guided tour around the city.

A-Bike Rentals and Tours offer an all-day rental for €15. Rental includes bike locks, carrier straps, a bell, and free coffee at the store.

You will also receive basic safety instructions and suggestions from their staff. 

A-Bike Rentals and Tours


DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

In this section, we will cover all of the different discounts available for both bike tours and bike rentals in Amsterdam. We will include information about tourist passes, combo packages and other opportunities to save money.


Tourist Attraction Discount Passes

If you’re planning to see or do a lot of things in Amsterdam, you may want to consider getting a tourist pass.

These services typically include dozens of attractions for one flat price, and they also offer discounts on additional activities.

There are currently 4 passes that offer discounts on bike tours and bike rentals in Amsterdam.

I Amsterdam Card

  • 25% off Rent a Bike Haarlem
  • 25% off Bicycle rental at MacBike, A-Bike or Yellow Bike

Amsterdam Pass

  • 25% off MacBike rental

Amsterdam City Pass

  • 20% off Big City Bike Tour
  • 20% off Small City Bike Tour
  • 20% off Countryside Bike Tour
  • 20% off Backcountry Bike Tour
  • 20% off Anne Frank Highlights Bike Tour
  • 20% off Bike Rental Amsterdam

Holland Pass

  • Yellow Bike Rental (Silver)
  • 20% off Big City Bike Tour
  • 20% off Countryside Bike Tour
  • 20% off Small City Bike Tour

Discount passes also usually offer skip-the-line privileges at certain locations, making it easier to save both time and money.

For more details about these services, make sure to read our post covering Amsterdam tourist passes.


Combo Packages

There are a few different combo deals available which include either a bike rental or a bike tour in Amsterdam.

Some of these packages are focused on discovering the best beer in the region, while others are all about visiting the countryside and learning about various cheeses.

Each package includes more than one service, making it easier to save money on both activities/attractions.


Total Amsterdam Beer Tour

This outing includes a 2-hour bike rental, a bike tour, and a boat tour along the canal. You’ll also receive free beer samples at 3 stops and learn about the beer culture of Amsterdam from a professional guide!


Amsterdam Countryside Bike Tour

As the name implies, this guided tour will take you around the countryside surrounding Amsterdam. You’ll also visit a traditional Dutch farmhouse for a chance to try some cheese and enjoy a demonstration on how clogs are used.


Amsterdam Bike Rental w/ Coffee

This is a fairly simple combo package, as it includes a 24-hour bike rental and a free cup of coffee. You’ll also receive a bike lock and a city map to make it easier to find your way around the city.

For more opportunities to save money, check this list of combo deals in Amsterdam.


Discount Sites

Some Amsterdam bike tours and rentals are featured on popular discount sites such as Groupon.

In addition to any savings offered to begin with, these services also frequently offer coupon codes and other deals that you can use to save even more money.

Make sure to look for a banner near the top of the page for discounts of up to 20% off local activities and other services.


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About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: June 3rd, 2022
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