Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)

Amsterdam to Bruges

Some of the most beautiful cities of Flanders and Holland are highlighted during this tour: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Amsterdam, where you can still feel the charm of days long gone.

After embarkation, you will have plenty of time to discover Bruges, "the pearl of Flanders." The Fluvius will leave Bruges early the next day and you can start your first bike tour which will take you to Ghent. On the following day, you will cycle along the beautiful tidal river Schelde and reach St.-Amands. Further downstream the Schelde the harbor city Antwerp awaits you.

Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities of the Netherlands, marks the end of your first day on Dutch ground. On the following day the barge will bring you to Kinderdijk, where the most famous windmills of the Netherlands are located, 19 windmills are standing in line, a wonderful scene for a photograph, and in the evening, you can explore Vianen. You spend the last evening of your bike and barge trip in one of Europe's most exciting cities, Amsterdam, before you have to disembark in the morning.

Travel by bike and boat: A unique and "typical Dutch" concept, where a cycling holiday and a journey on a comfortable ship are combined. Cycling cruises are ideal for those who like to cycle during the day and explore beautiful areas, without giving up a comfortable way of traveling. During our tours you don't have to pack and unpack your suitcases every day to travel from one beautiful place to the next!

There are daily guided bike tours with two guides. There is the option of longer/shorter or faster/slower tour. It is also possible to ride the bike tours individually. Tour description and maps are available on board.

The Amsterdam - Bruges (and reverse) itinerary is available on a number of boats on various dates. Please check Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal, Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique II (and reverse), Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique III (and reverse), Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique IV (and reverse), Amsterdam – Gouda – Bruges by Bike and Boat, Bruges – Antwerp – Amsterdam by Bike and Boat, and Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse) for additional dates.

View more photos

Highlights

• Amsterdam
• Antwerp
• Ghent
• Bruges
• Small winding rivers
• Windmills
• Impressive traditional architecture

Learn More

Learn more about guided tours.

Daily program

This tour goes from Amsterdam-Bruges and in the reverse, from Bruges-Amsterdam. Both itineraries are outlined below.

Direction: Amsterdam – Bruges

Day 1: Arrival to Amsterdam | Cruise Amsterdam – Vianen (3-9 miles/5-15 km)
Embarkation and check-in at 1:00pm. Around 2:00pm this ship cruises to Vianen, where you will stay the night. Here, you can enjoy a short test bike ride through the surrounding area.
Overnight in Vianen

Day 2: Cycle Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk | Cruise Kinderdijk – Dordecht (34 miles/56 km)
After breakfast you will cycle a beautiful route to Schoonhoven – nicknamed Zilverstad (Silver City) – a city renowned for its talented silversmiths since the 17th century. As you continue to cycle along the Lek River you will pass through the Alblasserwaard region to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills – one of which you can visit – which have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing. From nearby Alblasserdam you will take the “Waterbus,” a fast ferry, that will take you and your bike in approximately 10 minutes to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.
Overnight in Dordrecht

Day 3: Cruise Dordrecht – Tholen | Cycle Tholen – Kreekrak lock | Cruise Kreekrak lock – Antwerp (13 miles/20 km or 23 miles/36 km)
During breakfast the ship cruises to Tholen. You start your bike tour today through a forest area, "the Wouwse Plantage," towards the south to the impressive Kreekraksluis (lock). Meet up with your ship and cruise to Antwerp. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and has many attractions that include: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. After dinner visit the Steen Castle. After dinner visit the beautiful old city center.
Overnight in Antwerp

Day 4: Antwerp – Temse – Dendermonde (29 miles/48 km or 39 miles/64 km)
Today’s tour will see you cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the picturesque tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, your home for the night. The landscape around the Schelde is magnificent. It is without a doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour.
Overnight in Dendermonde

Day 5: Dendermonde – Ghent (32 miles/52 km)
Today you will continue to follow the river Schelde to Ghent where the ship will moor for the night at a lock in a suburb of town. Ghent is a lively university city that boasts a rich history. The city’s position at the junction of Leie and Schelde Rivers has meant it to be a major trading port since Roman times. In total the city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. A major attraction is St. Bavo Cathedral where a number of masterpieces of medieval art including the world famous ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck are kept.
Overnight in Ghent

Day 6: Ghent – Bruges (28 miles/45 km)
Today your bicycle tour will lead through the beautiful Flemish countryside of western Flanders around this beautiful city, widely described as the ‘Venice of the North.’ The city attracts more than two million visitors every year who come for the ambiance of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center. An outstanding example of a medieval settlement, Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric as it has evolved over the centuries, with the result that today the city’s original Gothic constructions form an integral part of the town’s identity.

While you are here you can visit one of Bruges many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.
Overnight in Bruges

Day 7: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea (23 miles/38 km or 31 miles/51 km)
The last bike tour takes you to a quiet canal along where you’ll find lots of poplars, through an attractive polder landscape with nice small farmhouses to the North Sea coast. A long sandy beach and numerous cafés provide enough variety during your lunch break. Then heading back to Bruges.

Day 8: Bruges
After breakfast: end of the tour and disembarkation by 9:30am.

Direction: Bruges – Amsterdam

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Bruges (6 miles/11 km)
Arrival and embarkation between 1:00-2:00pm in the beautiful city of Bruges, also called "Pearl of Flanders." The crew will welcome you. This afternoon you can take a short bike ride. After dinner, your guide will lead you on a short walk around the beautiful historical center of Bruges.
Overnight in Bruges

Day 2: Bruges – Ghent (36 miles/57 km)
Today your first bike tour to Ghent through the flat land of West-Flanders will start early. Your destination today is the historical centre of Ghent. Enjoy the beautiful parts of Ghent during an afternoon stroll. The barge will dock in a small suburb of Ghent, approximately a 30-minute bike ride from the city center.
Overnight in Ghent

Day 3: Ghent – Dendermonde (24 miles/40 km)
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape along the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde which is located at the junction of Dender and Schelde Rivers. Dendermonde has a beautiful town hall located at a cozy square. The ideal place to have a nice Belgium beer after your bicycle ride. Worth visiting is also the St. Alexius Beguinage where you can learn about housekeeping, work and recreation in the lives of former generations.
Overnight in Dendermonde

Day 4: Dendermonde – Antwerp (21 miles/48 km or 39 miles/63 km)
Today we will follow the Schelde further downstream through the Temse region to Antwerp. This part of the route is along a most beautiful and twisting section of the Schelde which, over the centuries held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish, and Napoleon.

Antwerp, your destination for the day, is a harbor city situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds and as the birthplace of the famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens. There are many highlights in the city to discover including the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, and the medieval Steen Castle.
Overnight in Antwerp

Day 5: Cruise Antwerp – Kreekrak locks | Cycling Kreekrak locks – Tholen | Cruise Tholen – Dordrecht (23 miles/36 km or 13 miles/20 km)
This morning, the ship will sail along the Schelde-Rhine Canal and over the huge Kreekrak lock system. Here your bicycle tour starts through the beautiful “Wouwse Plantage” forest to Tholen, Tholen once was an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for their living. Nowadays Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways. But it is still a picturesque village with many relics of an eventful past. From Tholen you will join the ship again for a nice afternoon sail to the beautiful city of Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland. Halfway the ship will pass the impressive Volkerak lock system. Your tour leader will take you for an evening walk and tell you about the history of the Netherlands.
Overnight in Dordrecht

Day 6: Cruise Dordrecht – Alblasserdam | Cycle Alblasserdam – Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen (36 miles/57 km)
A fast ferry will bring you to Alblasserdam. From here you will cycle to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 UNESCO cultural heritage-listed windmills – one of which you can visit (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments). You will then continue to cycle via Schoonhoven to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek where you will spend the evening. Since the 17th century Schoonhoven – nicknamed Silver City – has been renowned for its talented silversmiths.
Overnight in Vianen

Day 7: Cruise Vianen – Breukelen | Cycle Breukelen – Amsterdam (24 miles/38 km or 29 miles/48 km)
First the ship cruises to Breukelen, where you disembark and your cycling tour starts. Ride along the small river Vecht: this area is well known for its beautiful mansions, small castles and beautiful houses with large gardens and parks. Over the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland to Nigtevecht, where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden and on to Amsterdam where you will meet the barge for the final time in the Amsterdam harbor.
Overnight in Amsterdam

Day 8: Amsterdam
After breakfast: end of the tour and disembarkation by 9:30am.

Note: Not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bicycle ride option.

Direction: Bruges – Amsterdam

7 day tour, Sep 24; Oct 7, 2023

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Bruges (6 miles/11 km)

Day 2: Bruges – Ghent (36 miles/57 km)

Day 3: Cycle Ghent – Dendermonde (24 miles/40 km) | Cruise Dendermonde – Antwerp

Day 4: Cruise Antwerp – Kreekrak locks | Cycling Kreekrak locks – Tholen | Cruise Tholen – Dordrecht (23 miles/36 km or 13 miles/20 km)

Day 5: Cruise Dordrecht – Alblasserdam | Cycle Alblasserdam – Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen (36 miles/57 km)

Day 6: Cruise Vianen – Breukelen | Cycle Breukelen – Amsterdam (24 miles/38 km or 29 miles/48 km)

Day 7: Amsterdam

Surface and terrain

The quality of the cycle paths along this route are excellent. Most of the way is paved or asphalted and does not have any gradients of note.

Boats

• MS Fluvius

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal

Tour end
Nearest airport: Ostend-Bruges (OST)
Nearest train station: Bruges

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation on board in the booked cabin style; climate-controlled cabin
• 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 three-course dinners
• Welcome drink
• Wifi on board
• Change of bed linen and towels as required
• Daily short cleaning of the cabin
• Tour leader (multilingual) with daily briefings of the bike tours (On board only, option to book cycling guide for a supplement. See pricing.)
• Some short walking tours
• Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily bike tours (1 set per cabin); GPS tracks
• Harbor and locking fees
• Daily coffee and tea on board (breakfast and following cycle tours, until 4:00pm)

Special dietary requests may be accommodated; you must include your request at the time of booking. For gluten-free or dairy-free diets, a €50 supplement will be collected on board at arrival.

Bike rentals

Bikes available on this tour (not included in tour price, must be reserved at time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes, unisex frame, 7-speed
• Electrically assisted bikes (limited number, upon request)*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Equipment available:

• Water repellant saddle bag
• Repair kit with spare tube
• Pump
• Combination lock
• Lighting system
• Mudguard

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. At this time, it is not possible to change the pedals. 

Saddle:
It may be possible to bring your own saddle with advanced notice and approval from our partners. If this is not an option, we recommend a universal padded saddle cover which can be pulled taught around the provided saddle.

Helmets:
A limited number of helmets are available to rent for €10. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes or plan to purchase one upon arrival. Helmets are compulsory for children under 15.

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Tour Company