Bike tour around IJsselmeer

Use the remaining time in Harderwijk for a stroll through the medieval Hanseatic town. Discover the late Gothic Church of Our Lady, the picturesque town gate and a small tower from the 17th century. Or visit the large dolphinarium and experience dolphins, seals and walruses up close.

Get on the saddle for the first time today. Cycle leisurely through wide, flat moorland meadows in the Arkemheen-Eemland National Park with its extraordinary vegetation. In Huizen, a visit to the traditional costume and fishing museum is well worthwhile before you reach the beautiful town of Naarden in the green Gooi region. The star-shaped fortified town will amaze you with its historic buildings and monuments.

Your bike tour around the IJsselmeer first takes you to Muiden, where you can visit the well-preserved moated castle. Back on your bike, you will soon reach Amsterdam. See the uniqueness of this colorful metropolis for yourself. Take a leisurely boat trip on the canals, stroll through the Vondelpark or the city center. Enjoy the special, lively atmosphere of the city in a good restaurant.

With a fresh breeze on your face today, you will realize why the Netherlands is considered a cyclist's paradise: The flat route takes you through lush green moorland with views of the waves of sparkling blue water. Discover former trading towns and small fishing villages. You cross the dyke to Volendam. The inhabitants of this pretty little village still often wear traditional Dutch costumes.

What would the Netherlands be without its famous cheese? So visit the cheese market and the old warehouses in Edam, where you can of course try a piece of the popular Edam cheese. Strengthened, you cycle on to the former trading town of Hoorn with its magnificent monuments and on to Enkhuizen. This picturesque little town has a lot to offer: historic buildings, a beautiful harbor and the Zuiderzee Museum. Decide how you want to spend the rest of the day in Enkhuizen.

Today's stage of your bike tour around the IJsselmeer begins with a relaxing ferry ride (not included). Disembark in Stavoren and discover the nostalgic charm of the old Frisian town. You then cycle on quiet paths through woods and meadows along the dyke. Lemmer is a popular bathing and water sports resort thanks to its location directly on the IJsselmeer and its beautiful beach. Do you dare to take a dip in the refreshing waves?

Your first stage destination is De Weeribben National Park, where many fish and water birds live in the marshy area. You cycle leisurely through the moorland to Blokzijl, a pretty little village with a historic harbor area. Zwartsluis, which translates as Black Sluice, used to be the transit port for peat. You will find over 500 architectural monuments in the Hanseatic town of Kampen. Take a leisurely stroll through the old trading town.

You reach Elburg along the dam. Discover the small, old fishing town with its tranquil alleyways and town walls. Take a tour in a botter, traditional sailing boats that were once used for fishing. Your bike tour around the IJsselmeer lake takes you through wild and romantic heathland back to Harderwijk, where you will spend the last night.

After breakfast, your cycle tour around the IJsselmeer ends. Set off on your journey home with all the impressions you have gathered. If you would like to stay a little longer on the IJsselmmer, simply book an extra night in Harderwijk.