Cycling along the North Holland coast or along the Lek to Kinderdijk? Rent a holiday home in Holland

A holiday in Holland means fully enjoying the water, beautiful dike routes and centuries-old towns that are a familiar part of the quintessential Dutch landscape. Discover the Netherlands at its finest and experience the iconic charm of Kinderdijk as a highlight of a cycling tour along the Lek. And did you know that the steam tram from Hoorn is a fun alternative for a trip along the colourful flower fields? Or that heathland blooms not only on the Veluwe but also along the coast of Bergen aan Zee? Experience it all from your holiday accommodation in Holland.

Step aboard the steam tram from your holiday accommodation in Holland

Join the steam locomotive on the route from Hoorn – Enkhuizen – Medemblik. Immerse yourself in nostalgic technology and first visit the Museum Steam Tram in Hoorn before boarding the tram. In the next town, Medemblik, you board the MS Friesland boat to Enkhuizen. Here you can visit the Zuiderzee Museum, an open-air museum that looks like an entire village.

The distance between the three towns is also perfect for a cycling trip along lake IJsselmeer. Start, for example, in Den Oever and head south towards Medemblik. A well-known landmark here is Radboud Castle near the marina. In Enkhuizen, taking a break is a must, preferably at the Compagnieshaven with views of the boats, the water and the fortified tower. For the stretch towards Hoorn you’ll need to pedal a bit before reaching a terrace, but Oase Schellinkhout is absolutely worth it: artistically tasty bites, a green outdoor area with playground equipment and a small beach nearby.

Experience peak hiking pleasure from Bergen aan Zee

As flat and wide as the polder landscape of North Holland is, the surroundings of Bergen aan Zee are just as hilly. For a holiday close to home, this region offers just about everything you could wish for: beaches, beautiful dunes, forests and blooming bulb fields in spring. In the Schoorl dunes you can enjoy unmistakable nature walks or take in a wide variety of landscapes on a cycling tour. Heathland even grows here, a type of shrub rarely found along the Dutch coast. A fun starting point is Huize Glory in the forests of Bergen. From the terrace you have a glimpse of the sea and can walk through the dune forests towards the coast. If you want to enjoy sea views regularly, walk from your holiday accommodation towards the seaside resort of Egmond and follow an up-and-down route through the rolling dunes.

Tip: Consider renting a holiday accommodation in Holland during autumn. The Schoorl dunes are known for their many mushroom species.

Take a cycling tour along the Lek and the windmills of Kinderdijk

Between Utrecht and Rotterdam lies a typical Dutch landscape perfect for cycling along the Lek, a river that flows past charming dike villages on its way to the mills of Kinderdijk. Start your journey in the jewellery town of Schoonhoven and take a moment to visit the beautiful watermill. This national monument is a great landmark for a city walk via the Oude Singel to restaurant Belvedère. From here you also have a great view of the river and the small drawbridge.

After relaxing on the terrace under the plane trees, continue cycling towards Streefkerk. Whether you need a break or not, the picnic bench by the mill is a picturesque spot that definitely calls for a photo stop. In the next village, Lekkerkerk, you pass a charming little church near the city dike. Soon after, Kinderdijk comes into view, a Dutch crowd-pleaser with windmills along reed-lined banks.

Good to know: Because the Kinderdijk curves to the south, you can cycle beautifully around the iconic row of windmills.

Explore the South Holland island of Voorne-Putten from a holiday accommodation in Holland

Lesser known, but well worth visiting with the whole family, is the South Holland island of Voorne-Putten. Besides the beaches of Rockanje, there are plenty of places children will love, such as Alpaca World in Brielle and the prehistoric museum Historyland with real fossils in Hellevoetsluis. Another fun museum with broad appeal is the Rien Poortvliet Museum on the small island of Tiengemeten. Here you can admire famous illustrations from the Dutch artist’s books, displayed in painting-size formats. The animals and the imaginary world of gnomes especially appeal to children.

Be sure to take a walk across the island as well, because Tiengemeten is essentially one large nature reserve with watery polders, large grazing animals and foraging meadow birds such as the black-tailed godwit. Herons are also common residents, as well as various birds of prey including the goshawk and the peregrine falcon. If you want to learn more about this bird paradise, join a guided walk led by a bird expert.

Sail across the Haringvliet to Hellevoetsluis

If you would like to enjoy the water during your holiday on Voorne-Putten, visit the fortified town of Willemstad and rent a sloop for a trip across the Haringvliet. This way you can observe the nature of Tiengemeten from the water, as well as grazing horses along the banks. Various places along the sailing route and the Spui are ideal for anchoring, such as Middelharnis. Be sure to step ashore in Hellevoetsluis, where Piet Hein once arrived with the captured silver fleet. If you would like to interrupt your trip with lunch or dinner before sailing back, this maritime town certainly offers plenty of restaurant options.

Rent a holiday home in Holland

For a holiday with historical charm, great food and plenty of recreation, choose a familiar getaway in Holland. Discover your favourite destinations, cycling routes and hiking areas while enjoying a relaxing stay in a cosy accommodation. In Holland you will effortlessly find picturesque spots, whether planned or discovered spontaneously during a walk or bike ride. If you want to experience quintessential Dutch charm, rent a holiday home in Holland and enjoy highlights such as sailing across the Haringvliet or taking a steam train ride through the flower fields from Hoorn.