Tour of Waterland from Amsterdam

Amsterdam is not only a wonderful city to cycle through, it is also a surprising base for beautiful trips through the Dutch polder. This route takes you from the heart of Amsterdam via the Zeeburgerdijk and Zeeburgereiland to Waterland, a polder-rich region where historic towns such as Monnickendam are located. You also drive past Volendam and cross over to Marken. This route has all the ingredients for a long and successful cycling tour.

The low-lying rural area of Waterland is so unique in the Netherlands that it has been designated a National Landscape by the government. Here you drive through an open peat meadow landscape with wide views. You will pass, among other things, the Ransdorper Die and the Holysloter Die, two creeks that were once an estuary of the Zuiderzee.

There is certainly no shortage of water during this route. From Monnickendam to Volendam you drive along the Gouwzee, a shallow and clear water. In Marken you cycle to the eastern tip of the peninsula. Here you see the Paard van Marken, a lighthouse from 1839. The tower, a national monument, has a height of sixteen meters and a light range of almost 17 kilometers. The lighthouse is currently inhabited, but you also have a beautiful view of the Markermeer from the ground.
In addition to natural beauty, the route also offers you a lot of cultural history. Of course in Amsterdam, but also in Waterland. What about the old town of Monnickendam? You stumble over the monumental buildings, so to speak. In Kerkstraat and Noordeinde you will see many old buildings with characteristic facades.

In Volendam you will pass the cozy marina. The village is known for its authentic costumes, fishing and of course the eel sound. From the port you take the ferry to the Marken peninsula. Get a breath of fresh air and experience the turbulent history of the islanders, who built their houses on stilts to protect themselves against the surrounding water. In order to preserve the characteristic homes, Marken is a protected cityscape. You drive back to Amsterdam via the Zeedijk, where the water ripples on both sides, and along the shore of the IJmeer. You see the city coming closer from the polder, a unique experience.

The route starts and ends at Mikes Bike in the heart of Amsterdam. Ideal if you want to come by train, because you can rent different types of bicycles here. There is no text on the bicycles that indicates that it is a rental bike, so you can ride through the city'undercover\\\'. Enjoyed your trip? Then feel free to come back and ride route 211575 from Mikes Bike. Or for one of the fun tours that you can book at Mikes Bike.