One of the best ways to explore Amsterdam is on a bike, as the city is very bicycle friendly and there are many Amsterdam private bike tours. You can hire them from multiple locations and if you are a tourist visiting the city, then the best option would be from the hotel where you stay. But, you must know that these are Dutch bikes and there will be a little getting used to it, as they are different from the ones that you are used to. There are no brakes and you will have to pedal them backward to brake.
Route Signposting For Bicycles
Netherlands in general is a cycle-friendly country and this can be noticed by the elaborate signposts along the sheer number of cycleways. These routes are well numbered and the signposts make it easy to find the way even for a new visitor. Besides, the towns and cities are also well signposted and numbered, these numbers indicate key junctions and points rather than the routes. This helps to offer a large number of cycling routes. Most of the Amsterdam private bike tours also make use of this methodology. Let us look into a route from Amsterdam to Haarlem to Lisse and back to Amsterdam.
Amsterdam To Haarlem
Haarlem is a market town, the route from Amsterdam to the market town is along the lush green park outside the Dutch capital called Spieringhorn. After that comes the farmlands and in a few kilometers, you will reach Haarlem. The town has a medieval church and the town hall; the traditional brick houses jut out towards the river. At the very center is the town hall and there is a network of beautiful cobbled streets. You can find shops on either side of these streets. The city square of the town is worth exploring for anyone who is visiting the place.
Haarlem To Lisse
On your route from Haarlem to Lisse, you will encounter tulip fields and this will be a memorable experience if you are doing the private bike tour in Amsterdam during the spring season. There are also lush green woodlands in between and the scenery is most often an alternation between the two. The Keukenhof’s tulip garden is along the route and in the tulip season, you will get to see the most spectacularly beautiful floral display of colors.
Lisse
Lisse is more of a laid back town compared to Haarlem and Keukenhof, it is a town where you can make a stopover before heading back to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam.
Whenever you visit Amsterdam and its nearby towns, you should make it a point to visit the cafes and other eateries to taste the fine Dutch cuisine.