Find your next holiday

Or search the entire site

The land of butter smugglers

Cycling holiday Aardenburg

Name: Happy Cycling Holidays
Address: Hengelosestraat 300a, Enschede, Nederland, 7521 AN
Telephone: +31 (0)53 430 34 35
Location: Happy Cycling Holidays

This scenic cycling adventure takes you through historic towns, along the coast, over dikes, and even crosses the border along the way. The route combines chic boulevards to captivating natural landscapes. » read more about Cycling holiday Aardenburg

Hotel 's Lands Welvaren
Sluis, Knokke, Cadzand, Philippine, Bruges
Het Zwin nature reserve

GPS APP E-bike Dog Zwaarte zwaarte_1

Cycling holiday
Centre based tour
5 days
Individual

from 345 p.p.
excl. additional costs

Prices and dates

from 345 p.p.
excl. additional costs

Prices and dates

Adventurous cycling

Gone are the days of road spikes and police chasing close behind, hot on your heels. Yet, as you cycle along quiet country lanes and cross the border time and time again, a sense of adventure lingers. This area was once home to butter smugglers, who operated from places like Aardenburg, now the starting point of this varied cycling holiday.

A journey full of variety

You’ll (secretly) cross the border to explore charming towns like Damme, Bruges, and Knokke. Visit the historic border town of Sluis, savour delicious seafood in the mussel village of Philippine, and experience the charm of Groede and Cadzand. Along the way, pass through villages like Bentille, Watervliet, Sint-Jan-in-Eremo, and Sint-Margriete, where characters from the medieval animal epic Reynard the Fox (Van den vos Reynaerde) come to life. Nature lovers are in for a treat as well, with highlights such as the Zeeland creek landscape and the Belgian nature reserve Het Zwin. And of course, no journey is complete without stopping at a cozy café every now and then to enjoy another thrilling smuggler's tale over a drink.

Philippine

Enchanting Bruges

Stroll through the charming streets of this romantic city and discover just how picturesque they truly are. The gentle lapping of the canal water — known locally as reien — offers a sense of calm, even amidst the many visitors. Park your bike near the 19th-century arcade of the fish market. Just two streets away, the Rozenhoedkaai awaits, with its iconic stepped gables reflected in the water and a breathtaking view of the 13th-century Belfry. Further along, you'll find the peaceful sanctuary of the Begijnhof. Venture beyond the busy tourist centre, and you'll stumble upon the Sint-Anna district — a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

A belfry of its own

A visit to Sluis isn’t complete without visiting its historic Belfry. As you cycle into the charming (and modestly sized) Groote Markt, the cheerful sound of the bells fills the air. Founded around 1280 on a bend in Het Zwin, near Bruges — once the wealthiest city in Flanders — Sluis quickly gained city rights and developed into a thriving trading hub. Its importance grew so rapidly that less than a century later, military leaders and city officials felt the need for an impressive town hall — the Belfry that still stands proudly today.

Sluis

When are you going to take this trip?

Cycling holiday Aardenburg

Prices and dates

Routes

Upon arrival or before departure, take a stroll along the former ramparts and explore Aardenburg’s historic buildings, including St. Bavo’s Church, the only church in the Netherlands built in Scheldt Gothic style. You can also visit the archaeological museum, which offers a wealth of information about Aardenburg’s rich history, from its origins as a Roman fortress to its role as an important port during the Middle Ages. Behind the museum, you’ll find a peaceful botanical garden. On Wetstraat, where you’ll come across the only remaining city gate, the West- or Kaaipoort, admire the stunning old facades, such as the 'Gouden Eykel' and the 17th-century orphanage.