Utrecht sidecar tour: Medieval castles and rural Holland

A sidecar holds two people, so you ride as a passenger instead of watching from a bus.

A 2–4 hour sidecar tour from Amsterdam through Utrecht's rural heart, guided by Marco Hupkes, a historian and outdoor instructor who rides a motorcycle with room for two passengers. The route passes 17th-century country estates on the Vecht river, Soestdijk Palace (former residence of Queen Juliana), medieval castles, the Loosdrecht Lakes nature area, a working flour mill from 1843, and forest tunnel roads. Helmets and fuel are included. If rain comes, the group switches to a minivan and two extra passengers can join for the same price. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sidecar tour through Holland and Utrecht

• Ride along curvy Vecht river
• See 1275 castle and business university
• Pass by a nice garden
• Visit protected village Lage Vuursche
• View 17th-century Soestdijk royal palace
• Explore Loosdrechtse Plassen lakes
• Discover Bethune polder nature area
• Drive through forest with tunnel roads
• Pass rural area with farm houses
• See restored Geesina flour mill
• Visit New Dutch Water Line fortress
• Explore 13th century castle of writer

The Experience

Marco Hupkes runs this tour himself, and his background shows: he's a traveller, outdoor instructor, historian and comedian, which means the ride is built around real stories rather than a script. You'll sit either in the sidecar itself or on the back of the bike behind him: two riders per motorcycle, or up to four if the weather turns and you switch to a minivan. The route threads through the provinces of Holland and Utrecht, passing the Vecht river where Amsterdam merchants built country estates in the 17th and 18th centuries, then moving into quieter terrain: protected villages like Lage Vuursche with its 1650 Reformed church, forest roads that tunnel overhead, and working farmland.

The stops anchor the ride to real history. Soestdijk Palace, built in the 17th century, was the home of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard from 1937 onward. A 13th-century castle nearby housed an 18th-century writer and composer whose statement ("I have no talent for subordination") still hangs in the air. The Geesina flour mill, probably built in 1843, still produces flour. The Loosdrecht Lakes sit between Amsterdam and Utrecht as a large water sports and nature reserve. The Bethune polder protects rare animal and plant species. A fortress from the New Dutch Water Line Defence System, built in 1869–1870, stands as a reminder of 19th-century military engineering. The ride moves at the pace of a motorcycle, so you see the landscape change (rivers, lakes, forests, polders, windmills) without the distance of a coach window.

Marco speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and three other languages, so the guide is live and responsive to what you ask. The tour runs 2 to 4 hours depending on what you want to see and how long you linger. If you have ideas of your own, he tailors the route. Fuel and helmets come with the booking. Public transport is nearby if you need it before or after.

What’s included

• Sidecar ride for two passengers (one in the sidecar, one on the back of the bike).
• helmets.
• fuel.
• multilingual guide (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and more).
• tailormade routing if you have stops in mind.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Holland Sidecar Tour

Is this one for you?The sidecar format means you're a passenger in the landscape, not behind glass, so the rural routes (forest tunnels, river estates, working mills) feel immediate. At least one adult must accompany anyone under 12, and the ride is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

25 verified traveler reviews

5 ★25

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Soestdijk Palace and why does it matter on this tour?

Soestdijk Palace is a 17th-century royal residence that became the home of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard from 1937, making it a landmark of modern Dutch royal history. The tour passes it as part of the route through the estates and historic sites between Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Can I ride in the sidecar, or will I be on the back of the bike?

A sidecar holds two passengers total: one sits in the sidecar itself and one rides on the back of the motorcycle behind Marco. You don't choose which position: the guide arranges it. If rain comes and the group switches to a minivan, up to four passengers can ride together.

What happens if it rains during the tour?

In rain, Marco switches to a minivan instead of the motorcycle. Two extra passengers can join the group for the same price, so the tour continues without cancellation.

How long does the tour actually take?

The tour runs between 2 and 4 hours depending on which stops you visit and how long you spend at each one. Marco tailors the length to what interests you, so you can ask for a shorter or longer route when you book.

What is the Loosdrecht Lakes area like?

The Loosdrecht Lakes are a large water sports and nature reserve between Amsterdam and Utrecht, with protected habitats for rare animal and plant species. The tour passes through this landscape as part of the rural route.

Do I need to speak Dutch, or does Marco speak English?

Marco is a multilingual guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and three other languages, so the tour is live and conversational in your language.