Description

Price includes:

4 x overnight stays
with breakfast (possible dinner, if booked in the arrangement)
Luggage transportation
included
STO guarantee
your payment is fully protected through STO Garant
Reservation fee
included
Extensive travel documentation:
six weeks prior your arrivaldate you will receive a detailed route map and the Friesland Travel Atlas (available in four languages, 260 pages)
Stampcard
collect a stamp in every city along the Eleven Cities route
Free and safe parking
for your car at the start of the tour (Note: The start hotel is always in Leeuwarden if you arrive by public transport)
Charging E-Bike
at participating hotels to keep you powered up throughout the tour

Price does not include:

Travel and cancellation insurance:
this must be arranged with your own insurance company
Lunch, dinner and drinks:
are not included, unless specifically booked in advance
Bicycle sssistance:
if booked in advance, bicycle assistance includes a replacement bike (within 1.5 hours) in case of a breakdown
Touristtax

Cancellation Policy:

Free cancellation
up to six weeks before your arrival date.
Cancellation conditions
For cancellations made within six weeks, the cancellation conditions according to Article 9.2 of the booking terms apply. These are available on our website and will also be sent to you in advance.
Travel and cancellation insurance:
Cancellation is always a matter of your own travel and cancellation insurance, which you must arrange with your insurance provider.
Weather conditions:
Cancellation due to bad weather conditions is not possible.

For whom:

Experience the perfect mix of culture, nature, and cycling adventure!

On this 5-day cycling tour, you will discover 10 of the eleven Frisian cities. Covering a total distance of 160 km, with daily stages of around 40 km, you’ll cycle from hotel to hotel while we take care of your luggage – giving you more time to explore the sights and enjoy the cities.

Starting day:

You can begin your tour on any day of the week, depending on your preference.

Start and finish:

The start and finish of the tour will be at a hotel along the Eleven Cities Route

STO Guarantee:

This tour is protected by the STO Guarantee, ensuring that your payment is safe. For more information, please refer to the STO Garant conditions here

The program below provides an indication of what this trip could look like.
Each journey is tailor-made, with careful attention to your personal preferences.
Accommodations are subject to availability; if a hotel is fully booked, we will reserve an equivalent alternative nearby.
You will stay along the Elfstedentocht route, but not necessarily in one of the eleven cities themselves.
The final travel itinerary, including accommodation details, will be sent to you six weeks before departure (after full payment).

Day 1: Arrival in Joure
Your journey begins in the charming town of Joure, known for its artisanal atmosphere and as the birthplace of Douwe Egberts. Take a leisurely stroll through the historic center or enjoy dinner at one of the cozy terraces. Here begins your own “tour of eleven cities” – but by bike!

Day 2: Joure | Sloten | Rijs (approx. 35 km)
The first cycling day takes you through the typical Frisian lake district. You will pass Sloten, the smallest of the eleven cities, with its charming canals and fortification walls. Then cycle through the green landscape of Gaasterland to Rijs, located on the edge of the enchanting Rijsterbos forest – the perfect place to enjoy peace, nature, and Frisian hospitality.

Day 3: Rijs | Stavoren | Hindeloopen | Workum | IJlst | Bolsward (approx. 60 km)
Today you will follow much of the iconic Elfstedentocht route. Visit Stavoren, Friesland’s oldest city, featuring the famous statue of the “Vrouwtje van Stavoren.” Continue along the IJsselmeer to Hindeloopen, known for its painting traditions and traditional wooden houses, then on to Workum, where you can visit the Jopie Huisman Museum.
Through IJlst, with its characteristic canals, the day ends in the charming town of Bolsward – one of the most beautiful of the eleven cities with a stunning historic center.

Day 4: Bolsward | Harlingen | Franeker | Leeuwarden (approx. 45 km)
After a hearty breakfast, cycle toward the coast. In Harlingen, Friesland’s only city by the sea, enjoy the fresh sea breeze at the harbor or pause to admire the view of the Wadden Sea. Then continue to Franeker, home of the famous Eise Eisinga Planetarium – the oldest working planetarium in the world. The day concludes in Leeuwarden, the proud capital of Friesland and the official start and finish of the Elfstedentocht.

Day 5: Leeuwarden | Sneek | Joure (approx. 45 km)
The final stage takes you back to Joure through the vast Frisian meadows and canals. Along the way, pass through Sneek, a lively city full of history, terraces, and of course the famous Waterpoort. After a well-deserved break, cycle the final stretch back to Joure, where your Elfstedentocht cycling adventure ends in style.

Luggage transport

The luggage service is included in the price of the bike tour. Please note that:

Your luggage needs to be at the reception no later than 09.00 am.
Your luggage must have a label of Friesland Holland Travel (you will receive the labels together with the documentation)
Your luggage can be delivered until 18.00hr (if the luggage is not at the reception at 18.00, please call the emergency number in your documentation)
1 piece of luggage per person, max. 15kg.
If you want to bring more pieces of luggage, please contact Friesland Holland Travel

Bicycle assistance (optional € 10,00 p.p.):

If the bicycle assistance is booked in advance, you will receive a new bicycle (within 1,5 hours) in case of a breakdown. This applies to your own bicycle and to rental bicycles. We will then bring the broken bicycle to the end point of your trip, here is your car parked.

Extra night

Book an extra night at the end of the bike tour, in this way you can end the tour quietly and relaxed and you don’t have to wait on your luggage. The luggage can be delivered until 18.00hr at your day of departure.

Documentation set

The information package you will receive at home (six week before your arrivaldate) contains:

Guest information: contains the addresses of the hotels / restaurants and the bike nodes. With the bike nodes system you can easily follow the track of the Eleven Cities Tour
Friesland Travel Atlas (in four languages, 260 pages)
Roadmaps
Stampcard
Certificate
Luggage transport labels (1 label per person)
Booking conditions

EXPERIENCE THE ICONIC ELEVEN CITIES TOUR

The Eleven Cities Route (Elfstedentocht) is not just a journey through the Netherlands—it’s a deep dive into the country’s rich history, culture, and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a fan of the great outdoors, riding or sailing the 250 km route is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Friesland, known for its world-renowned heritage, has hosted this legendary event since the first informal races in the 16th century. With the last official Elfstedentocht on skates held in January 1997, this route continues to be a source of pride and tradition for the Frisian people.

CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE WITH FRIESLAND HOLLAND TRAVEL

Friesland Holland Travel offers an array of 3 to 8-day Elfstedentocht packages, catering to different levels of adventure and comfort. These packages include a STO guarantee for peace of mind and cover important services such as luggage transport and fast breakdown assistance. If your bike breaks down, rest assured that a top-quality replacement bike will be provided immediately.

CYCLE THE HISTORIC ELEVEN CITIES ROUTE

The Eleven Cities Tour is a unique experience no matter how you choose to travel. Whether you are cycling, sailing in a boat, or driving through the historic towns, every leg of the journey brings something different.

Cycling through Friesland offers a chance to explore ancient terps (mounds) along the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea, while passing through the forests and cliffs of Gaasterland on the shores of the IJsselmeer.
Stop at centuries-old, romantic towns to enjoy local delicacies or relax on the shores of tranquil Frisian lakes.
Take a detour to Leeuwarden, the European Capital of Culture in 2018, and soak in its vibrant cultural scene.

FRIESLAND’S RICH HISTORY AND HERITAGE

The Elfstedentocht is not just a sporting event; it is a symbol of Friesland’s culture and history. The tradition began as early as the 16th century, with people skating between the 11 Frisian cities in a single day. The official 200 km skating event, which became a hallmark of Dutch winter sports, was first organized in 1909. Though the last official Elfstedentocht on skates took place in 1997, Friesland Holland Travel offers tourist Elfstedentocht experiences every day of the year, giving you the opportunity to relive the atmosphere of this historic race regardless of the weather. These tours usually start and finish in the southern part of Friesland for practical reasons, but the spirit of the Elfstedentocht is alive throughout the region.

THE ELFSTEDENCROSS

The coveted Elfsteden Cross is awarded to participants who complete the route within the specified time, and it’s a badge of honor for anyone who takes part in this legendary tour. Whether you complete the journey as a competitive skater or a recreational rider, the Elfsteden Cross marks your achievement. Only those who finish the tour and collect all 11 stamps within the given time frame receive this prestigious award. First designed in 1909, the Elfsteden Cross is a Maltese cross featuring the Frisian coat of arms. Since receiving royal designation in 2009, the cross also displays a royal crown, making it a unique and treasured symbol. The Royal Association De Friesche Elf Steden has issued over 56,000 Elfsteden Crosses since 1909, making it one of the most iconic medals in Dutch sports.

BIKES

Whether you bring your own bike or prefer to use a rental bike, Friesland Holland Travel can accommodate your needs.

BOOK YOUR BIKE TOUR TODAY

Don’t miss out on the chance to ride, sail, or drive the legendary Eleven Cities Route with Friesland Holland Travel. Their expertly organized tours and comprehensive services ensure you get the most out of this historic journey. Choose from 3- to 8-day packages and embark on an unforgettable adventure through the heart of Friesland. For more details and to book your Eleven Cities Tour, visit Friesland Holland Travel’s website and start planning your trip to experience the legendary Elfstedentocht today!

Romantic 5-Day Cycling Tour: Discover 10 of the Eleven Cities

Participants

Using breakdown assistance with mobility guarantee?

Total

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Romantic 5-Day Cycling Tour: Discover 10 of the Eleven Cities

Participants

Using breakdown assistance with mobility guarantee?

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