IJsselmeer: round trip

A lake like a sea.

Discover the IJsselmeer, the largest lake in the Netherlands, a paradise for sailors, kite and windsurfers on this wonderful round trip. The huge freshwater lake, which knows neither low tide nor high tide, was created by draining polders and the construction of a closing dike (1932), to protect the coast. Around the IJsselmeer are beautiful old Dutch villages and small towns that together represent one of the most beautiful and authentic areas of Holland. Experience the atmosphere of traditional fishing villages, discover the cheese city of Edam, marvel at the glorious past of Enkhuizen, Stavoren and the magnificent fortress town of Naarden. Look forward to Amsterdam and the largest lowland moor area in northwestern Europe, fascinating culture and the charm of the water. Be enchanted on this cycling trip full of contrasts and surprises.

1. day Harderwijk Arrival

In the afternoon you take a leisurely stroll through the medieval Hanseatic city and marvel at the 14th/15th century Our Lady Church (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk).

2. day Harderwijk - Bussum/ Naarden/ surroundings 50 – 55 km

You cycle comfortably through the Arkemheen-Eemland National Park. Let yourself be impressed by its wide, flat landscape with extraordinary vegetation. On the banks of the Randmeren you roll quickly to Huizen with interesting costume and fishing museum and then in the beautiful city of Naarden. It is one of the best preserved fortress cities in Europe. Marvel at the old fortifications and the underground casemates.

3. day Bussum/ Naarden/ surroundings - Amsterdam 30 km

Today you discover the coolest castle in the Netherlands. The robust Castle Muiderslot is over 700 years old and surrounded by water and castle gardens. It is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in the country. Also Amsterdam with all its sights attracts. Admire the many historic buildings, take a canal cruise, visit the Floating Flower Market or famous museums. Amsterdam is simply unique!

4. day Amsterdam - Volendam 30 km

Today you cycle just a few kilometers to reach the first sight. Stroll through the pretty historic town of Monnickendam, a true Dutch water town. Marvel at the play tower and the wooden drawbridge at the harbor. Afterwards, you cycle along the IJsselmeer to Volendam, Holland's most famous fishing village. Visit the cozy harbor with Old Dutch ships, take a boat trip, taste the fresh fish, be photographed in traditional Volendam costume, stroll through the historic center ....

5. day Volendam - Enkhuizen 46 km

Take a worthwhile break in the small cheese town of Edam. You will be surprised to find out that there is much more than the world-famous cheese. But you should definitely sample the cheese. Then you cycle to Hoorn, a small shopping paradise with numerous terraces cafes and restaurants right on the IJsselmeer. Soon your destination of the day, the picturesque town of Enkhuizen, attracts. Marvel at the numerous historic buildings, monuments, villas, canals and churches of the charming city and the historic harbor. The magnificent Zuiderzee Museum is also waiting for your visit.

6. day Enkhuizen - Lemmer 40 km

With a relaxed ferry ride (Enkhuizen - Stavoren about 90 minutes) you cross the IJsselmeer today. Then you set off on discovery rides on the eastern shore of the IJsselmeer. In the old Hanseatic city of Stavoren, the nostalgic charm of the oldest Frisian town, which is surrounded by the IJsselmeer at three points, will take your breath away. You cycle to the bathing and fishing village Lemmer with its many terraces directly on the water, nice cafes and a wide white sandy beach.

7. day Lemmer - Kampen 65 km

Look forward to your bike tour through the national park "De Weerribben". It is the largest flat moor area in northwestern Europe! Explore this unique landscape of lakes, canals, reed belts, swamp forests and bogs. Breathtaking nature and endless streams of water make your heart beat faster. Stroll through the historic harbor area of Blokzijl and marvel at Zwartsluis. In the 18th century it used to be the most important transit port for peat, due to the historic fleet of fishing and cargo ships. Your overnight stay, the Hanseatic city of Kampen, is considered a pearl on the IJssel! Kampen offers one of the best preserved urban centers in the Netherlands, with remains of the historic city wall, 3 remaining city gates, the Sint Nicolaaskerk, the Gothic Huis and the IJsselfront, a row of houses along the river from the mid-19th century.

8. day Kampen - Harderwijk 45 km/ Departure

Along the causeway, you cycle quickly to Elburg, an old Hanseatic city that has more than 250 listed buildings within its city walls. Also marvel at the old Botter (flat bottomed vessels), which used to be used for fishing here. Afterwards you cycle along the Veluwemeer to Harderwijk. Here ends your exciting round trip with your return journey, without further accommodation in Harderwijk. On request, we will gladly book an additional night.

worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the bike trip.

Arrival by train

Amsterdam is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. The landing of the ship is about 4 km away from Amsterdam main station (Amsterdam Centraal). You can take a bus (line 42 to KNSM Eiland) or a taxi. Detailed information on the location of the ship, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: www.bahn.de.

www.bahn.de

Condition of cycle paths

The stages are almost always flat. You cycle on signposted cycle paths or quiet side streets. In the dunes it is a bit hilly (slopes 2-3 meters). 90% cycling path and 10% side roads but never on main roads.

Available rental bikes

If you choose to rent a Velociped-rental bike for the tour, we take it to your first hotel and pick it up at your destination. You can choose between woman’s and men's bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 27-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. All ladies' bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier. The bikes are suitable for all ladies from 150 cm in height and for all gentlemen from 165 cm in height. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price

A possibly resulting tourist tax is not part of the travel price and therefore it has to be paid locally in the Hotel.
The ferry boat from Enkhuizen to Stavoren on day 6 is not included in the price.

7 day hotline service

In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Enkhuizen

The history of the Dutch East India Company, the VOC, is still visible in Enkhhuizen today. In the 17th and 18th century the VOC was the largest trading company in the world that travelled to Asiatic countries with its beautiful ships to conduct trade. The favourable location beside the IJsselmeer made it attractive to base a 'VOC Chamber' here. The 'Drommedaris', the defence towers in the port, and the centre with its historical buildings are reminders of these prosperous times.

Enkhuizen

Enkhuizen Zuiderzeemuseum

Zuiderzeemuseum Enkhuizen, located in more than a hundred and thirty authentic houses, shops and workshops, shows the history and culture of this unique region. Much attention is given to the past, present and future of the area in relation to such themes as water, traditional crafts and communities. The Buitenmuseum (Open-Air Museum), open from March to October, is visited with a true museum ferry. Here, you will see authentic buildings and learn all kinds of things about life around the Zuiderzee between 1880 and 1930 – in other words, the last years before the completion of the Afsluitdijk in 1932. There are workshops, fish smokehouses and net makers, and you can visit Urk homes and share a meal in a 1920 household.

Enkhuizen Zuiderzeemuseum

Hoorn

Every year many thousands of people enjoy this beautiful city. You really need to see, hear, taste and feel Hoorn! Everywhere you go you will encounter the history of the powerful Dutch East India Company, that sent beautiful ships to trade with Asiatic countries during the 17th and 18th centuries. This gives the city a special atmosphere.

The history of the town is not just on show in the old centre; it can also be seen in the harbour. Time seems to be standing still here. The sails are hoisted, the decks scrubbed and you can almost still smell the spices that the Dutch East India Company brought back from trips to the Far East. Obviously, you can enjoy sitting on a terrace; after all, there is enough to see on and around the water.

Do you feel like visiting a museum?
Hoorn has no less than three. The West Frisian Museum shows the distant past of the city, while the Museum of the Twentieth Century is a feast of recognition for the older youths among us. Travel in time with the Hoorn-Medemblik steam tram. 

Hoorn

Museum Stroomtram

Museum Steamtram Hoorn-Medemblik is the leading museum about Dutch steam tram history. Both our fascinating Hoorn museum site and our scenic railway have a lot to offer. Enjoy a trip in our heritage tramway coaches, be sure to spot our historic bridges and buildings along the route, and take in the breathtaking scenery from the deck of our heritage steamer “Friesland”. A visit to museum Steamtram Hoorn-Medemblik consists of several parts; be sure not to miss any!

Museum Stroomtram

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. From Amsterdam canals to world-famous Amsterdam museums and historical Amsterdam sights, it is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. Canal cruises are a popular way to see the city from the perspective of its canals.

Amsterdam

Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

A big and monumental church De Oude Kerk (The Old Church) dominates over the Red Light District.  Standing in the church's main entry, you will be amazed to see a coffee shop just left to it, windows with sex workers in front of it and the Princess Juliana Nursery School right of it. Contrast could not be bigger and there. The Oude Kerk is the oldest and for centuries was the most important church in Amsterdam. Although it lost this title to the Nieuwe Kerk (New Curch), it still remains one of the grand sights to visit.

Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

Anne Frankhuis - Anne-Frank-House

The Anne Frank House is a museum with a story. As a visitor, you experience this story through quotes, photos, videos, and original items. The atmosphere in the museum is authentic and subdued.
On 6 July 1942, the Frank family went into hiding in the building at Prinsengracht 263. The building housed Otto Frank’s business. Later, they were joined by the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer. The building consisted of two parts: the main house and the annex. The eight people hid on the top floors of the annex.

Anne Frankhuis – Anne-Frank-House

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum, which in English means – The State Museum, exists for more that two hundred years and today belongs to the most breathtaking museums in the world. During its existence, the museum went through many transformations and remains now, especially after its complete renovation, the attraction you should not miss during your trip to the Netherlands. It is in 1800, that The Amsterdam Rijksmuseum opened first its collection to the public as the Nationale Kunstgallerij (National Art Gallery). Since then, it moved several times before being established in Amsterdam (1808) by the decree of the King of the Netherlands Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon. Named then the Royal Museum, received in 1815 from the Dutch King Willem I its present name. In 1885 Rijksmuseum moved to its beautiful building, designed by the Dutch architect Petrus J.H. Cuypers. It has been built in the then fashionable Dutch neo-Renaissance style, using historical neo-Gothic elements in it form and decoration. 

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum

The Woudaagemaal

The Woudagemaal was built in 1920 to pump away the excess water in Friesland. Until that time, large parts of Friesland were submerged during the winter. The D.F. Woudagemaal, that can pump away over 4000 cubic meters of water per minute, or 6 million cubic meters per day, changed that. At full power, it would be able to empty an Olympic-size swimming pool in just 35 seconds! Even today, this steam-powered pumping station is still operational and open to the public one week each year. It’s an event that is definitely worth witnessing! The Woudagemaal in Lemmer is the largest steam-powered pumping station ever constructed and the only steam-powered pumping station in the world that is still in use. Technology enthusiasts from around the world have already enjoyed a tour of this splendid example of industrial design. A 3D animation and interactive exhibits show how the pumping station works, and will make it clear to you why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

The Woudaagemaal