Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Zuid, Duivendrecht

Amsterdam is the perfect city to enjoy the classic charm of its canals, a true Dutch image. On this route you cycle a section through the canal belt. From one waterway to the next, you pass the ponds in Vondelpark, the most famous park in the Netherlands. Did you know the park was created more than 150 years ago by the Association for the Creation of a Riding and Walking Park? It became a green lung in the growing city.

Mokum, the nickname for Amsterdam, kept expanding and the need for green areas grew as well. That is why the Amsterdam Forest was developed. The name is a bit misleading though, because only the part north of the Bosbaan is officially in Amsterdam. The rest belongs to Amstelveen.

Wondering where the name Mokum comes from? It goes back to the Jewish community of Amsterdam. The Hebrew word mokem means place or city. In the past, many cities were nicknamed Mokum followed by a Hebrew letter. Amsterdam became Mokum Aleph, Rotterdam Mokum Resh, and so on. Only Amsterdam kept the name.

From Amstelpark you ride along the Amstel, the river that gave the city its name, originally Amstelledamme. From there you cycle back into the centre. Along the way you pass iconic sights and museums such as Royal Theatre Carré, the Rembrandt House and, with a short detour, the Hortus Botanicus.

A relaxed day of discovery through Mokum on two wheels.