Strasbourg to Mainz: Imperial Cities and Charming Landscapes Along the Rhine
7 nights from €1304
4Pedal down the scenic Rhine Cycle Path, discovering culture and history in France and Germany
Cycle from Strasbourg to Mainz along the Rhine Cycle Path, one of Europe’s most inviting bike routes. This journey combines flat, accessible cycling with opportunities to explore historic towns, wine villages, and cultural landmarks along the Rhine.
Begin in Strasbourg, a city where French and German traditions meet, before following riverside paths through protected wetlands and farmland. Visit Speyer with its UNESCO cathedral, explore Heidelberg with its hilltop castle and university atmosphere, and continue to Worms, famous for its Romanesque cathedral and Reformation heritage. The route also passes through Nierstein, a wine village known for its Rieslings, before ending in Mainz, home to the Gutenberg Museum and a lively old town.
This tour offers a mix of easy cycling, riverside scenery, and centuries of European history, making it an ideal introduction to the Rhine Valley by bike.
Enjoyable Days on the Rhine
“The cities food and trails were great. App on our phone was a great guide. Majority of paths were in excellent condition . Bikes and luggage transfers were flawless. Thanks again BikeTours for a great adventure.”
—Tom Schulte
A lovely experience
“The cycle was a great experience we cycled on gravel routes and centuries old cobbles one more thing off our to do list. The towns we passed through were lovely. Some exquisite old buildings sights i…” More
“The cycle was a great experience we cycled on gravel routes and centuries old cobbles one more thing off our to do list. The towns we passed through were lovely. Some exquisite old buildings sights i will never forget. We did have a little panic one day. When we got to the ferry it wasn't crossing on the day. We did have an alternative route but about 5 or 6 k into that route there was roadworks so we were diverted off our diversion route. For awhile we got completely lost. Luckily we met a local couple out cycling who cycled with us to the bridge we were looking for..I have to mention that all the locals all along the way were friendly and helpful when needed. Yes I would recommend this cycling trip to anyone who would like to experience something slightly different from your normal cycling trip” Less
—Thomas Murphy
Excellent Bike Tour!
“My husband and I had a fabulous time on the Strasbourg, France to Mainz, Germany bike tour September 6-13th. We arrived a day early and loved walking around and exploring the beautiful city of…” More
“My husband and I had a fabulous time on the Strasbourg, France to Mainz, Germany bike tour September 6-13th. We arrived a day early and loved walking around and exploring the beautiful city of Strasbourg.
Our bikes and information were dropped off the day before our trip and we were off early the next morning. We would highly recommend having a data plan to download the GPS maps offered to your phone. These maps show you exactly where you are at all times! Would also be very beneficial to have a cell phone holder for the handlebars on the bikes.
We rode mostly on bikepaths and trails and occasionally on roadways. The terrain was mostly flat and winding around farmer’s fields, through towns and cities, and along or near the Rhine. Our favorite town was Speyer, Germany the day we were on our way to Heidelberg. The main street had beautiful, colorful buildings, a lovely, church, quaint shops, and a fabulous clock tower.
The hotels provided were clean, centrally located, and had friendly and helpful staff. Silka at Hotel Schwert in Rastatt went above and beyond helping us with all of our questions and requests! Thank you Silka!
After our first day of our Eurobike tour, we were fortunate to have met another couple also travelling on the same tour. We decided to travel together and the four of us spent the rest of our trip biking and having a great time together!
This was our first bike trip and we loved it! The weather was beautiful and the biking experience was fabulous!” Less
—TinaM
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival in Strasbourg
Your journey begins in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and a city where French and German cultures meet. Wander through the charming old town, explore Petite France with its canals and half-timbered houses, or admire Strasbourg Cathedral before settling in for the evening.
Overnight in Strasbourg.
Day 2: Strasbourg – Rastatt
40 mi / 65 km
Leave Strasbourg on a dedicated cycle path that leads you to the banks of the Rhine River. Following the river through the flat Rhine Valley, you’ll cross by ferry at Drusenheim and continue through tranquil meadows to Rastatt, known for its baroque palace and historic old town.
Overnight in Rastatt.
Day 3: Rastatt – Germersheim
34 mi / 55 km
Today’s ride follows old arms of the Rhine through one of the largest protected wetlands in the Palatinate, the Hördter Rheinauen nature reserve. Surrounded by unspoiled landscapes, you’ll eventually reach Germersheim, once a fortress town. The redeveloped riverbank and relaxed town center are perfect for an evening stroll.
Overnight in Germersheim.
Day 4: Germersheim – Heidelberg
31 mi / 50 km
Cycle along the Rhine to Speyer, home to the UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral, one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Europe. Continue past Schwetzingen, where the palace and gardens showcase centuries of royal heritage. Your destination is Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, famous for its castle, old bridge, and lively student culture.
Overnight in Heidelberg.
Day 5: Heidelberg – Worms
28 mi / 45 km
Follow the Neckar River to the Roman town of Ladenburg, where narrow alleys and medieval architecture reveal its long history. Continue through the Rhine Valley to Worms, an imperial city with a 12th-century cathedral, strong Reformation ties, and the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe.
Overnight in Worms.
Day 6: Worms – Nierstein
34 mi / 55 km
This stage takes you through fertile farmland and across branches of the Rhine. As you near Nierstein, the scenery shifts to vineyards, marking your entry into one of the Rhine’s most renowned wine regions. Known for its Riesling, the village offers the perfect opportunity to sample local wines in the evening.
Overnight in Nierstein.
Day 7: Nierstein – Mainz
12 mi / 20 km
A short ride gives you plenty of time to enjoy the Rhine wine country. Cycle through vineyards with views of steep slopes descending to the river before following the riverside path into Mainz. Highlights include the imperial cathedral, medieval old town, and lively squares filled with cafés and wine taverns.
Overnight in Mainz.
Day 8: Departure from Mainz
After breakfast, your tour ends in Mainz. Extend your stay to explore more of the Rhine Valley, or continue onward to Frankfurt, just a short train ride away.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
3 and 4-star hotels
Strasbourg: Best Western Monopole Metropole
Rastatt: Hotel Schwert
Germersheim: Hotel Germersheimer Hof
Heidelberg: Qube Bergheim
Worms: Dom-Hotel
Nierstein: BW Wein & Parkhotel
Mainz: Intercity Hotel Mainz
Local hotel taxes are not included in the tour price. These taxes typically range from €1-5 per person/night and must be paid at hotel reception upon checkout.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Standard touring bike
These quality KTM bikes are the result of years of experience and continued development, always with the wishes and requirements of our guests in mind. The result is a solid, easy to use and travel-suitable bike with reliable brakes, an aluminium frame and top tires. This bike is well-equipped for every journey.
- Unisex (step-through) bike 21/24-speed with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm (available for approx. heights between 58-75 in/148-190 cm)
- Men’s bike 21-speed with freewheel. Sizes: 63 / 60 / 56-51 "slopping" cm (available for approx. heights between 65-81 in/165-205 cm) Note: reservation is essential!
Specifications on standard touring bikes
- Modern, high-resistant aluminum frame
- V-brakes
- Aluminium-rims
- Reliable tires, which ensure high duration
- Shimano Alivio derailleur on 21-speed
- Selle Royal Saddles
*Posture for standard touring bikes will be upright for comfort
Bike rental plus, 27-speed, upgrade
The Bike Rental PLUS is designed by KTM and provides noticeable upgrades on many parts of the bike. From the saddle to the breaks and gears you will see even higher quality (for example even more precise components for braking and shifting). The Bike Rental PLUS allows for a slightly sportier riding posture and a high-quality Suntour suspension fork provides the best possible comfort across all surfaces.
Sizes: 63 / 60 / 55 / 51 / 50 / 46 cm (available for approx. heights between 61-81 in/155-205cm)
Upgraded components
- Hydraulic Magura HS 11 brakes
- Shimano Deore XT derailleur on 27-speed
- High-quality Suntour suspension fork
*Posture for Bike rental plus will be upright and forward
Electrically-assisted bike
Electric bikes allow you to have more mobility and be able to thoroughly enjoy every cycle tour. The "great equilizer" allows you to stay beside your friends or family on the road! These unisex bikes are comfortable to ride for both men and women.
Specifications on electrically-assisted bike
- Unisex bike 8-speed (Height approx. 148–195 cm)
- Bosch Active Line Plus motor
- Battery 550 Wh removable with mobile charger
- Hydraulic breaks
- Range up to 120 kilometres
Equipment included with the bike rentals:
- Saddle bag (water repellent), rear
- Handlebar bag (water repellent), with clear cover on top for map viewing
- Tools
- Pump
- Repair kit (with extra bicycle tube)
- Combination lock
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are not included with the bike rentals. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.
Dates & Prices
Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.
Loading dates and prices…
Surface and terrain
Most of the tour follows the Rhine Cycle Path, using well-maintained bike paths that are predominantly flat and suitable for all levels of cyclists. The route is easy to manage, with only a few stretches on gravel paths as you pass through the scenic Rhine floodplains.
How to get there
Tour Start
Nearest Airport: Strasbourg, France (SXB)
Nearest Train Station: Strasbourg central station
Tour End
Nearest Airport: Strasbourg, France (SXB)
Nearest Train Station: Mainz, Germany
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Loading reviews…
More About This Tour
Related Bike Tours 
French Alpes Tour: Alpes and Ventoux
France 
Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam: Premium Bike and Boat
France 
Custom and Private Bike Tours in France
France Related Day Tours
Cologne Riviera E-Bike Tour
Cologne 
Classic Frankfurt Bike Tour
Frankfurt 
Munich Highlights Bike Tour
Munich 
Berlin Highlights Bike Tour
Berlin 
Berlin Wall & Cold War Bike Tour
Berlin 
Hamburg Compact Bike Tour
Hamburg 
