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:

This tour is ideal for cycling enthusiasts—whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a recreational rider. The Eleven Cities Tour offers five days of cycling, with daily stages varying between 30 and 85 kilometers. It’s designed for those who want to complete the entire tour at a comfortable pace and stages between 50 and 80 km per day but with plenty of time to explore each of the historic Frisian cities along the route.

Optional extra: daytrip to the Wadden! (Ameland, Terschelling, or Vlieland)

Enhance your adventure with a day trip to one of the beautiful Wadden Islands: Ameland, Terschelling, or Vlieland. This excursion is not included in the standard package price but can be added for an unforgettable experience. The day trip starts after breakfast with a ferry ride to the island. After cycling on the island, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a local dinner (on your own account). Then, take the ferry back to the mainland for your overnight stay. The following morning, enjoy breakfast before continuing your Eleven Cities Tour.

Additional excursion price: Available upon request.
[Additional excursion costs include: returnticket (ticket for person + bike), an additional hotelnight with breakfast]

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

Have you always wondered what it feels like to complete the Elfstedentocht? During this beautiful cycling trip, you peacefully follow the trail of the famous ice skaters along Friesland’s historic Eleven Cities. No rush, no cold, just relaxation, nature, and culture, with comfortable overnight stays along the way.

This arrangement is specially designed for cyclists who enjoy a good balance between being active and taking time to relax. You cycle mostly through flat terrain, along waterways, terp villages, and stately towns full of history.

Each trip is tailor-made and fully adapted to your wishes. The accommodations depend on availability; if a location is fully booked, we will reserve an equivalent alternative nearby. You will receive the final itinerary with your accommodation addresses six weeks before departure (after full payment).

Day 1: Arrival in Leeuwarden – the start of the “Tour of All Tours”
Your journey begins in Leeuwarden, the atmospheric capital of Friesland. This is where the legendary Elfstedentocht on ice began and ended. Take a walk along the canals, admire the leaning Oldehove tower, and visit the Fries Museum, where the heroes of the Elfstedentocht are honoured. In the evening, you can enjoy a relaxed dinner in one of the cosy restaurants in the historic city centre.

Day 2: Leeuwarden | Sneek | IJlst | Sloten | Rijs (approx. 70 km)
Today you pedal the first kilometres of your own Elfstedentocht. You cycle through green meadows and quiet country roads to Sneek, famous for the Water Gate and its lively waterfront atmosphere.
You then visit charming IJlst, with its characteristic sawmill and flowered gardens along the canal, and picturesque Sloten, the smallest of the Eleven Cities.
The day ends in Rijs, in the heart of the wooded Gaasterland region—an oasis of peace with views over Lake IJsselmeer.

Day 3: Rijs | Stavoren | Hindeloopen | Workum | Bolsward | Harlingen (approx. 65 km)
Along the IJsselmeer coast, you cycle from town to town—each with its own story. In Stavoren, the statue of the Lady of Stavoren recalls an old Frisian legend. In Hindeloopen, you can admire the famous Hindeloopen painting style and visit the museum.
Further on lies Workum, the town of painter Jopie Huisman, where simplicity and authenticity define the atmosphere. Passing through charming Bolsward, with its medieval centre and stately town hall, you reach Harlingen, a harbour town full of maritime history and views of the Wadden Sea.

Day 4: Harlingen | Franeker | Holwerd (approx. 55 km)
After a good breakfast, you head towards Franeker, once a proud university town. A visit to the Eise Eisinga Planetarium, the oldest functioning planetarium in the world, is definitely worthwhile.
The route continues through the open Frisian landscape, with wide views over meadows, windmills, and dikes. You stay in or near Holwerd, a quiet village on the edge of the Wadden area where you can already smell the salty sea air.

Important information for the overnight stay in Holwerd (Zee van Tijd Holwerd):
This accommodation does not have a restaurant. For dinner, you will visit the Land en Zeezicht restaurant (at the ferry port), approx. 3 km from the hotel and situated within UNESCO World Heritage.
As a guest at Zee van Tijd Holwerd, you can use the Finnish sauna free of charge and you will be offered a welcome drink.

Day 5: Holwerd | Dokkum | Leeuwarden (approx. 50 km)
The final stage brings you to Dokkum, the northernmost of the Eleven Cities, famous as the place where Boniface met his death in the 8th century. Dokkum is a lively little town with canals, shops, and cosy terraces, an ideal spot for a lunch break.
Afterwards, you cycle back to Leeuwarden at a relaxed pace. The tour ends once your luggage has been delivered by the Friesland Holland driver (between 09:00 and 18:00). Dinner is never included on the day of departure.

Luggage transport
The luggage service is included in the price of the bike tour. Please note the following details:

• Your luggage must be at the reception by 09:00 AM.
• Luggage should be labeled with the Friesland Holland Travel label (you will receive the labels along with your documentation).
• Luggage can be delivered until 18:00. If your luggage is not at the reception by this time, please call the emergency number provided in your documentation.
• Each participant is allowed 1 piece of luggage, with a maximum weight of 15 kg.
• If you wish to bring more luggage, please contact Friesland Holland Travel in advance.

Bicycle assistance (optional, €10.00 per person):
• If bicycle assistance is booked in advance, you will receive a replacement bike within 1.5 hours in case of a breakdown. This applies to both your own bicycle and rental bicycles. The broken bicycle will be taken to the end point of your trip, where your car is parked.

Extra night:
• You can book an extra night at the end of the bike tour to relax and not worry about your luggage. The luggage can be delivered until 18:00 on your departure day.

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 ELFSTEDEN CROSS

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!

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