Cycling day trip from Amsterdam to Leiden

Ready for a classic Dutch ride? This route takes you from bustling Amsterdam down to the historic city of Leiden—just over 50 km of beautiful cycling through the heart of the Randstad.

You’ll leave the canals and vibrant streets of Amsterdam behind as you glide onto dedicated cycleways (that’s about 90% of your ride!), cruising past polders, sleepy villages, and lush green fields. The terrain is super flat—as you’d expect in the Netherlands—so you can just relax and enjoy the scenery. Most of the route is smooth asphalt, though you’ll hit the occasional paving stone stretch as you pass through more picturesque towns.

Leiden is a real gem at your journey’s end: it’s famous for its university (the oldest in the country), charming old town, and crisscrossing canals. Why not grab a coffee along the water before heading home?

All in all, it’s a gentle ride perfect for soaking up Dutch cycling culture!