Quick ride by bicycle from Haarlem to Heemstede

Spin south from historic Haarlem toward leafy Heemstede on an easy, almost-flat 5.7 km ride. Roll out past Haarlem’s gabled streets and the Grote Kerk (St. Bavo), then glide through green spaces like the Haarlemmerhout, the country’s oldest public park. The route sticks mostly to dedicated cycle paths and quiet residential streets, with just a brief busier stretch, and the surface is largely smooth asphalt with some classic Dutch paving stones.

It’s a relaxed, family-friendly link between two pretty neighbors. Haarlem is North Holland’s capital, famed for its hofjes and the Frans Hals Museum; Heemstede greets you with tree-lined avenues, the shops and cafés of the Binnenweg, and nearby Groenendaal park for a peaceful cooldown. Virtually no climbing here—just a gentle glide with canal views and leafy lanes. Perfect for a quick city-to-suburb spin or a scenic errand run.