Bike & Boat

Bike & Boat Holidays – Cycle by Day, Sail by Night

Travelling by bike and boat is truly something special: while you explore the region by bike during the day, the boat cruises to the next port and waits for you there in the evening. No need to pack your bags every day, you spend your time discovering the country and its people by bike – and on days when you'd rather take it easy, simply stay on board, read a good book on the sun deck and enjoy a leisurely chat with your fellow travellers.

Further down you'll find information for first-time guests as well as travel reports from our enthusiastic bike and boat guests. You'll soon discover – no two trips are alike, and each one has its very own special appeal.

Top tip: Bike and boat holidays tend to get booked up earlier than classic cycling tours. Book early and you're far more likely to secure your preferred ship on your chosen dates!

White cruise ship Carpe Diem moored in Tkon harbor. Two touring bikes lean against a white TKON sign with red heart on the waterfront promenade. — Ship in the port of Tkon, Croatia

Historic wooden sailing ships moored in Nyhavn harbor with colorful yellow, white and orange buildings lining the waterfront in Copenhagen. — Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark

Scenic bay in Korcula with turquoise water, small boats and a white yacht anchored. Green vegetation frames the view under a blue sky. — The coast of Korčula in Southern Dalmatia

Row of historic windmills at Kinderdijk reflected in a calm canal, with reeds in the foreground and blue sky with white clouds above. — The Windmills of Kinderdijk in South Holland

Poreč harbor promenade with moored sailboats and colorful historic buildings. Pedestrians walk along the waterfront under blue sky. — The Port of Poreč in Croatia

Row of bicycles on wooden ship deck with turquoise harbor water and coastal village of Korčula with orange-roofed houses and green hills. — Račišće on the island of Korčula in Croatia

Wooden sailing ship MS Thalassa with four masts in turquoise waters near Poros Island. White buildings on hillside and mountains visible in background. — A ship off the coast of the small Greek island of Poros

Bike & Boat tours in the Netherlands

Bike & Boat tours in Belgium

Bike & Boat tours along the Danube

Bike & Boat tours in France

Bike & Boat tours in Italy

Bike & Boat tours in Croatia

Cycle or relax – you decide

During the day, you’ll actively explore the region by bike: historic towns, peaceful riverside paths, spectacular coastal landscapes. In the evening, the ship will be waiting for you in the next port – with dinner ready, your cabin waiting, and the chance to chat with fellow passengers on the sun deck.

And if you don’t feel like cycling for a change? Then simply stay on board and enjoy a proper day of rest – without losing sight of your destination. This makes Bike & Boat particularly suitable for couples, families and groups with varying fitness levels.

Two cyclists on red bikes riding along a canal path with the red and white Ave Maria river cruise ship moored in the water beside green reeds. — Cyclists in Italy

Your floating hotel – check into your cabin, settle in, set sail

You check into your cabin on the first day – and don’t leave it until the last. No changing hotels, no lugging luggage about. The ship is your hotel, dining room and living room all in one, and it’s always with you.

As for the cabins: some are rustic and cosy, like on the Croatian wooden ship MS Planka; others are elegant, like on the premium ship MS Magnifique II; and others have a romantic maritime feel, like on the three-masted clipper Elizabeth – every ship has its own charm. Take a look at the ship descriptions in advance and choose the atmosphere that suits you best.

St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau with green onion domes overlooking the Danube River. A cruise ship passes by colorful historic buildings. — Passau Cathedral

In good hands – from the first stage to the last harbour

Depending on the route, the boats can accommodate between 20 and 80 guests – creating an atmosphere where you’ll soon find yourself striking up a conversation. You’ll share meals, cycle tours and experiences with people who, like you, appreciate the combination of exercise, nature and comfort.

And what about the organisation? The captain knows the river routes, lock timings and weather conditions – the tour guide will lead you safely through each day’s stages. Please note: river cruises are dependent on wind, weather and water levels, so deviations from the planned itinerary are occasionally possible. Your safety is always our top priority.

Franciscan Monastery with bell tower on Hvar's waterfront. White boats float in crystal-clear turquoise water under blue sky. — Franciscan Monastery in the Port of Hvar

Who is bike and boat right for?

A Bike & Boat holiday is ideal for anyone who wants to travel actively but would prefer to avoid the daily hassle of carrying luggage that comes with a traditional cycling holiday. It’s particularly lovely for couples and groups with varying fitness levels – those who fancy a cycle can join in, whilst those who’d rather enjoy a quiet day on the sun deck can do just that. Even those staying on a boat for the first time will quickly get into the swing of things: cycling in the morning, arriving at the harbour in the evening, and in between, doing as much or as little as feels right at the time.

Our Bike & Boat holidays take you along some of Europe’s most beautiful waterways – from the Danube via the Croatian Adriatic to the canals of the Netherlands. Each route has its own character, and each ship its own atmosphere. Further up on this page, you’ll find all our current holidays – sorted by region.

Malmö waterfront with colorful historic buildings and a passenger ship docked at the harbor under a dramatic cloudy sky at sunset. — Malmö Waterfront Promenade

Frequently Asked Questions about Bike & Boat Holidays

Search FAQs

Man in blue shirt and woman in red top standing with red touring bikes equipped with panniers against clear blue sky on sandy terrain.

What makes a Bike & Boat holiday different from a traditional cycling tour?

On a Bike & Boat holiday, the boat is your floating accommodation – you cycle along coastlines, rivers or islands during the day and return to the boat in the evening. This means: no daily check-ins or check-outs, your luggage stays on board at all times, and the boat automatically takes you to the next starting point.

On classic cycling tours, you stay in different hotels each night, allowing you to explore various towns and villages up close. Both options have their own charm – Bike & Boat offers a relaxed atmosphere and minimal luggage, whilst the classic cycling tour provides greater cultural diversity and a more authentic local experience.

What is included in a Bike & Boat holiday?

This varies depending on the route and the ship – but there are a few things that are almost always included: your cabin on board with a shower and toilet, half-board or full-board depending on the tour, and on most routes, a hire bike is also included in the tour price. You don’t have to worry about a thing – neither your luggage nor your evening meal. You’ll find a list of exactly what’s included in each individual tour description.

Can I bring my own bike?

On most ships, yes, provided there is sufficient space. Alternatively, on most of our Bike & Boat itineraries, a high-quality hire bike (often an e-bike) is included directly in the tour price. You’ll find details in the relevant tour description – or feel free to ask us directly.

How fit do I need to be for a Bike & Boat holiday?

That’s one of the great strengths of this type of holiday: you don’t have to cycle every day. If you don’t feel like it or need a rest day, you can simply stay on board and enjoy the sun deck. The daily stages are usually between 20 and 50 km long – ideal for active leisure cyclists, but not designed for competitive cyclists. Many of our routes are largely flat, making them ideal for e-bike riders too.

Is Bike & Boat also suitable for solo travellers?

Very good, in fact. The manageable group size on board – between 20 and 80 people, depending on the ship – creates a friendly, intimate atmosphere where it’s easy to strike up a conversation. Shared meals, cycle tours and evenings in port naturally bring people together. Many of our regular guests travel alone and return as friends.

How far is the ship from the cycle path?

As a rule, the boat is moored right in the nearest harbour, in the heart of the town. The routes are planned so that the boat and the cycle route meet at the same point at the end of each stage – there are no long transfers.

What happens in the event of bad weather or low water levels?

If you’d rather stay dry, simply leave your bike behind and stay on board – the ship will continue its journey in any case. In the event of exceptional weather conditions or very low water levels, there may be occasional changes to the route. That’s just the reality of life at sea – and your safety always takes priority.