Waterland Cycleseeing Route: Dutch villages and countryside
Prepare to fall in love with traditional Dutch villages and countryside. The Waterland route begins and ends at Amsterdam Centraal station. It follows the cycle paths towards Het Schouw, on to the Venetian-style village of Ilpendam, and through the suburban hamlet of Purmerend. From there, you can cycle through Purmerland, with an optional side trip to Het Twiske. Then back through the hipster haunts of NDSM-werf.
Cycle route highlights:
Buiksloterdijk
It is a fun cycle on the Buiksloterdijk dyke past the Noorderpark. When you see the 16th-century wooden houses on the Buiksloterdijk, you can imagine how Amsterdam must have looked in the past.
Krijtmolen d'Admiraal
Built in 1792 by the 90-year-old Elisabeth Admiraal, this octagonal smock windmill fell into disuse after 1954 but was restored in 1967. It is now run by a volunteer who regularly has the sails turn making d’Admiraal the world’s only functioning wind-powered chalk-trass mill.
Koemarkt
A cow market used to take place in this Purmerend square which dates back to 1645. It used to be a flat market field until 2009. Now its old function is commemorated with a statue by Hans Kuyper and the square acts as the nightlife centre of the city.
Rent a bike
MacBike Central Station North, de Ruijterkade 34B, 1012AA Amsterdam;
MacBike Oosterdok, Oosterdokskade 63A, 1011DL Amsterdam;
Amsterdam Bike Rent, IJdock 47, 1013MM Amsterdam.
