Rivers & Delta: Rotterdam, Delft, Gouda and the windmills of Kinderdijk
The Delta Route shows the part of the Netherlands most visitors picture when they think of Holland: canal cities, cheese markets, windmills and big rivers. The landscape here has been shaped by water more than anywhere else in the country.
The loop starts and ends in Rotterdam's Coolhaven and strings together Delft, Leiden — the birthplace of Rembrandt — Gouda with its cheese market, the silver town of Schoonhoven and Dordrecht. On the way you cycle past Kinderdijk, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where a row of eighteenth-century windmills can be visited.
Daily distances are short, between 15 and 40 kilometres, which leaves time to wander through each town before dinner on board.
The itinerary
- 1
Day 1: Rotterdam, Coolhaven
Board Ship Josefien in Rotterdam's Coolhaven.
- 2
Day 2: Delft
Cycling 40 km
To historic Delft.
- 3
Day 3: Leiden
Cycling 25 km
On to Leiden, birthplace of Rembrandt.
- 4
Day 4: Gouda
Cycling 30 km
Gouda, with its famous cheese market.
- 5
Day 5: Schoonhoven
Cycling 15 km
A short day to the silver town of Schoonhoven.
- 6
Day 6: Kinderdijk and Dordrecht
Cycling 30 km
Cycle past the windmills of Kinderdijk to Dordrecht.
- 7
Day 7: Rotterdam
Cycling 25 km
Back to Rotterdam.
- 8
Day 8: Rotterdam
Farewell after breakfast.
Departures
Dates for the coming season have not been published yet. Ask Ship Josefien for the next departure of this route.
Prices are per person in a double cabin. E-bike rental: on request. Availability is confirmed by Ship Josefien when you enquire.
Check availability on schipjosefien.nl →What's included
- Double cabin with private shower and toilet
- Made-up beds, towels, shampoo and soap
- Breakfast and a packed lunch for the road
- Three-course dinner on board (on most routes one evening is left free to eat ashore)
- Touring bicycle with gears, pannier, helmet, safety vest and phone holder
- Cycling routes on paper and on your phone
- Unlimited coffee, tea and chilled water on board
About this route
- Does the Delta Route visit Kinderdijk?
- Yes. On day six you cycle past the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, where a series of eighteenth-century windmills can be visited, on the way to Dordrecht.
- Which cities are on the Rivers & Delta route?
- Rotterdam, Delft, Leiden, Gouda, Schoonhoven and Dordrecht. The trip starts and ends in Rotterdam's Coolhaven.
- How far do you cycle each day on the Delta Route?
- Between 15 and 40 kilometres a day: 40 km on the first cycling day to Delft and 15 to 30 km on the other days.
- When does the Rivers & Delta tour run?
- In 2026 it ran from 1 to 8 June. Dates for 2027 have not been published yet; ask Ship Josefien for the next departure.