Amsterdam Bicycle Smartphone App Self-Guided GPS Tour
Pedal through medieval gates, Golden Age canals, and modern landmarks at your own pace.
This Amsterdam self-guided bicycle tour takes you through three distinct eras of the city — Medieval, Golden Age, and Modern Amsterdam — using a GPS-powered smartphone app as your guide. The route spans roughly 2.5 hours of cycling and combines sightseeing, discovery, and a scavenger-hunt format into a single ride. A bike-mounted phone holder is required so you can follow the route hands-free and safely.
The app leads you through some of the city's most storied streets, from the narrow lanes of the Jordaan district to the grand canal belt that earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2010. Along the way, you pass the Rijksmuseum — the only museum in the world where cycling through the building is permitted — and roll past the concert hall where Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin once performed. Each stop is layered with context about the people, politics, and architecture that shaped Amsterdam over centuries.
Because this is a self-guided format, the pace is entirely yours. You can linger at the Westerkerk to look for Rembrandt's unmarked grave, stop for a maatje herring near the Anne Frank Statue, or simply cruise along the Amstel river toward the countryside before looping back through the city centre. The route is rated moderate and suits most recreational cyclists comfortable navigating urban traffic.
Tram tracks and traffic lights require attention throughout the ride. Dedicated red bicycle lanes are marked across most of the route, and the app will alert you to turns and points of interest without requiring you to touch your phone while moving. Phone holders are available at most rental shops if you do not already have one.
Tour Highlights
GPS-guided route through Medieval, Golden Age, and Modern Amsterdam in a single ride.
Cycle through the Rijksmuseum passage, the only museum in the world open to cyclists.
Ride along the UNESCO-listed Canal Belt, past the Prince's, Emperor's, and Gentleman's Canals.
Scavenger-hunt style app keeps the experience interactive without requiring phone use while cycling.
Pass through Vondelpark and along the Amstel river for a contrast to the dense city centre.
Fully flexible timing — start when you want and move at a pace that suits your group.
Route Overview
The tour begins near The Bulldog, one of Amsterdam's original coffee shops established in the 1970s, situated in a former police building beside Leidseplein. The square, named after the city of Leiden, once served as a formal city gate and today functions as a major entertainment hub.
The Sint Anthonis Gate, a medieval entrance converted into a weighing house, marks the beginning of the city's older quarter. Nearby, the Zuiderkerk — a Protestant church completed in 1614 with an 80-metre tower — was famously painted by Claude Monet and offers panoramic views of the surrounding streets.
The route passes the historic house where Rembrandt lived and worked between 1639 and 1658, then continues to Bridge 236, built in 1883 and inspired by Paris's Alexander III bridge. Rembrandt Square, formerly the Butter Market, now anchors the city's nightlife district and features a prominent statue of the painter.
The UNESCO-listed Canal Belt showcases the lavish city palaces and warehouses built during Amsterdam's 17th-century commercial peak. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum — holding over 200 paintings and 400 drawings — anchor the museum quarter; advance booking is strongly advised for both.
Vondelpark, named after Dutch poet Joost van den Vondel, provides a green pause mid-route with open-air concerts, drinkable water fountains, and picnic areas. The adjacent PC Hooftstraat carries some of the highest retail rents in the Netherlands and offers prime people-watching, while the Concertgebouw concert hall hosts free lunchtime performances on Wednesdays.
The Jordaan district, built in the 17th century to house immigrants and artisans, contains the Westerkerk — the city's largest church, completed in 1631, with an 87-metre climbable tower. Close by are the Anne Frank House, the Gay Memorial, the Anne Frank Statue, and a fish booth renowned locally for serving traditional maatje herring. The section concludes at Amsterdam's widest bridge, a former fortified prison standing next to one of the city's smallest houses.
What Is Included
Included
- GPS smartphone app access for the full route
- Self-guided audio and visual tour content
- Route covering Medieval, Golden Age, and Modern Amsterdam
- Scavenger-hunt style interactive prompts
- Flexible start time and self-paced format
Not Included
- Bicycle rental
- Bike-mounted phone holder
- Museum entrance fees (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House)
- Food and beverages
- Personal travel insurance
Important Information
Ready to Explore Amsterdam by Bike?
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