Cycling & sailing in Broek in Waterland
Two wheels or a bow: this is how you see Waterland as it was meant to be.
Where can you cycle in Broek in Waterland?
Loops through the polder that begin and end at our door.
Cycling in Broek in Waterland starts at cycling junction 1, in the middle of the village. The prettiest village in the Netherlands has junction number one right by the door, and we're not making that up. From there you ride one of the finest loops in North Holland: via Zuiderwoude, Ransdorp or wherever the mood takes you, past ditches, sheep, windmills and silence. From Amsterdam you ride here through the Volgermeer or along the dike.
We're the starting point, with coffee to our own recipe before you get on the pedals and a table when you come back. No rental hall with plastic front baskets and a route map full of stickers, just a village that shows itself. Prefer walking to pedalling? Then the walking routes are your starting point.
Read up first on where you'll end up, or lock in a table for when you're back?
A Waterland bike loop in five steps
From coffee to coming home: the route we'd ride ourselves.
- Start at Het Broeker Huis with coffee. Cycling junction 1 sits in the middle of the village for good reason.
- Ride out of the village along the Havenrak, the grey wooden façades in the corner of your eye.
- Follow the dike towards Zuiderwoude. Ditches, sheep, windmills and nothing more.
- Choose your loop: on to Ransdorp, or north past Ilpendam and Overleek and back via Monnickendam. Reckon on an afternoon at an easy pace.
- Lean your bike against the façade and take a seat on the terrace. You'll be hungry, we know that already.
Prefer a mapped-out route? These routes from our partners route.nl and Fietsnetwerk.nl pass right by our door:
- A fine ride through the wide-open Waterland, 37 km (route.nl)
- The beautiful Waterland, 54 km (route.nl)
- Cycling route in the shadow of Amsterdam, 33 km (Fietsnetwerk.nl)
All the routes past our door are on our profile on route.nl and our stopover on Fietsnetwerk.nl.
Read up first on where you'll end up, or lock in a table for when you're back?
Can you go sailing in Broek in Waterland?
Quiet waterways, low bridges & a sloop of our own.
Yes. From Het Broeker Huis, De Neeltje, our own sloop for a small group, sails through Broek in Waterland and the surrounding area: past wooden houses, along quiet waterways, under little bridges. You arrange a trip with us.
From the water you see what you miss from the dike: back gardens that run into the ditch, a heron that doesn't look up, and the village showing its quiet side. No canal cruise with headphones and an audio guide telling you what you can already see. Just water, wind and a skipper who knows when to keep quiet.
Sailing yourself? In the village and in the hamlet of Overleek there's boat hire with whisper boats. Just ask us, we know who has space.
Take a closer look at De Neeltje, or give us a call about what's possible?
Practical information
Cycling, sailing & where to start.
Renting a bike
Or bring your own.
You pick up a rental bike in Amsterdam, at one of the big rental outlets behind Centraal Station. From there you ride through the Volgermeer or along the dike past the houseboats. Bringing your own bike? Even better.
Sailing
De Neeltje, by appointment.
Our own sloop takes a small group through the village and the surrounding area. You arrange a trip with us. Prefer to sail yourself? In Broek and in Overleek you can rent a whisper boat, and we know who has space.
Starting & parking
Free on the Nieuwland.
Park for free at the car park by the Nieuwland and walk the last stretch. Don't drive further into the village: this is the only car park in the village. Our opening times are at the bottom of this page.
Frequently asked questions about cycling & sailing
Routes, junctions, boats and where you start.
Where can you cycle in Broek in Waterland?
From cycling junction 1, in the middle of the village. One of the finest loops in North Holland starts and ends here: via Zuiderwoude, Ransdorp or wherever the mood takes you, past ditches, sheep and windmills.
Can you go sailing in Broek in Waterland?
Yes. De Neeltje, the boat of Het Broeker Huis, takes up to 7 people through Broek in Waterland and the surrounding area, by appointment. You can also sail yourself: in the village and in Overleek there's whisper boat hire.
How long does it take to cycle from Amsterdam to Broek in Waterland?
About 30 minutes from the ferry behind Amsterdam Centraal. You ride through the Volgermeer nature reserve or along the dike.
Where do you park the car when you go cycling or sailing?
Free at the large car park by the Nieuwland, about a 5-minute walk from Het Broeker Huis. Don't drive further into the village: this is the only car park in the village.
Can you also go walking in Broek in Waterland?
Yes. Four walking routes start at Het Broeker Huis, from a half-hour village loop to the three-hour Waterland route.
Can you eat after a bike ride in Broek in Waterland?
Yes. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday for coffee and lunch. On Thursday evening the Donderdaghap is on the table and on Friday and Saturday there's dinner. Book a table, especially at the weekend.
Cycle, sail, get lost, come back.
Every route begins & ends at our door.
You come back with wind in your ears and mud on your calves. In the restaurant the coffee's on and the soup changes with the season. Lean your bike against the façade, take a seat, and tell us what you saw. On Thursday evening, stay for the Donderdaghap.
Book a table ahead. Especially at the weekend.