Cycling along Amsterdam's canals at sunset, stopping at a cafe for bitterballen and a jenever: the city is best discovered on two wheels.
Amsterdam on two wheels: the ideal city for urban cycling
Amsterdam has over 800,000 bicycles for 870,000 inhabitants - there are more bikes than people. The network of cycle paths is the most developed in the world, and cycling is the best way to discover the city.
The most beautiful canals for a bike ride
The classic route follows the three main canals - Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht - which form the UNESCO "canal belt". In spring, the bridges are decorated with baskets of flowers.
Where to rent
Star Bikes Rental (near Centraal station) offers bikes in good condition at reasonable prices. MacBike is more touristy but very convenient. The Donkey Republic bike-sharing service is cheap for short stops.
The jenever after the ride
At sunset, moor your bike near the Prinsengracht and step into a bruin cafe (a traditional Dutch bar with tobacco-coloured walls) for a jenever (Dutch gin) and a few bitterballen (fried croquettes). It is the daily ritual of the locals.