The beautiful city of Amsterdam is a great destination for an active family. Pretty neigh-bourhoods, stunning canals, endless cultural attractions and friendly locals ensures that any holiday booked here will be one that you all look back fondly on. The best way to explore the capital of the Netherlands is to do it like the locals: by bike. This allows you to see all of the sights, enjoy some fresh air and soak up the atmosphere – and in Ams-terdam you will find around 400km of paths taking you to every nook and cranny in town.
How to Hire
As one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, it is perfectly safe for children to ride but they should already be confident and proficient road cyclists. There are numerous places throughout Amsterdam that rent out kids’ bikes along with cargo, tandem and adult ones too, but you may want to book in advance (particularly if you are visiting dur-ing the school holidays).
The shops near Vondelpark are particularly good for hiring children’s bikes and it is also a lovely area to get used to cycling in the city. The process of actually hiring is incredibly easy as so many tourists do it so it is fast and everyone speaks good English (just be sure to show up on time!). You will only need a deposit from and photo ID but if you are paying by card you may want to check that they accept it beforehand. They will then show you how to work the locks and you are free to start exploring the city.
Practical Advice
With so many other cyclists and pedestrians everywhere cycling in the Dutch capital is a bit different to anywhere else in the world, which is why it is a smart move to practice around Vondelpark or a quiet area to build confidence. Whilst out on the paths, always follow the rules of the road and stay in your lane (which is clearly marked). Keep an eye on the traffic and any pedestrians around you; it is best to avoid rush hour (08:00-09:00 and 17:00-18:00) as it can be particularly chaotic. You should never cycle more than two people across, so lead the way and encourage your kids to stay close but also stay alert of their surroundings. Finally, do not try to copy the locals as they will bend the rules!
How To Get There
Another reason that this is a great destination for families is that it is really easy to reach. You will want to fly from the UK into Schiphol Airport and this will take a little over an hour. It is a good idea to arrange a pre-booked Amsterdam airport transfer so that you do not have to wait for a cab or have to use public transportation. You will be around 17km outside of the city so your pre-booked Amsterdam airport transfer will take around 20 minutes.
This is a fantastic holiday destination for active families and there is no greater way to see the city’s beauty than cycling.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for an affordable pre-booked Amsterdam airport transfer Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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