What is the difficulty level of this tour?

The tour covers 20–57 km per day on flat terrain along rivers, canals, and polders. No significant climbs are involved. An e-bike option is available for those who prefer pedal assistance. A basic level of fitness is sufficient to enjoy the ride.

What type of accommodation is provided?

You stay aboard a comfortable barge (either the De Holland or the Fluvius) in twin or double cabins with private facilities. All cabins are climate-controlled and include bed linen, towels, and daily cleaning. The ships carry a maximum of 44–66 passengers.

Seven breakfasts, daily packed lunches, and six three-course dinners are included. One evening — in Antwerp — is free for you to explore the local restaurant scene. Coffee and tea are available on board until 4 PM. Drinks at dinner are not included.

Do I need to bring my own bicycle?

No, touring bikes and e-bikes are available to rent. Touring bikes cost €91 per week and e-bikes cost €252 per week (subject to availability). You may also bring your own bike; parking on board costs €14 per week, or €28 per week with a charging station for e-bikes.

How do I get to the starting point in Bruges?

The barge docks in Bruges harbour. Embarkation is between 1 and 2 PM. Bruges is easily reached by train from Brussels (1 hour), Ghent (30 minutes), or Amsterdam (3.5 hours). Detailed arrival instructions are provided after booking.

When is the best time to take this tour?

Departures run from April to October. May, June, and September offer the most pleasant cycling weather and longer daylight hours. July and August are warmer but busier. Late-season departures in October are quieter and more affordable.

Is this tour suitable for families?

Yes. The flat terrain and moderate daily distances make this tour family-friendly. The De Holland offers triple cabins with a third bed for children up to 15 years at a discount of €20 per person. E-bikes are available for those who prefer assistance.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Cycling is self-guided, so you set your own pace and can adapt to conditions. The barge is always within reach by the end of each stage. In case of severe weather, you can remain on board — the ship sails the route regardless.

The Best of Holland and Belgium: Bruges to Amsterdam by Bike and Barge

Holland & Flanders

Illustrative image, AI-generated or AI-modified: The Best of Holland and Belgium: Bruges to Amsterdam by Bike and Barge

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Images marked “AI” on this page are AI-generated or AI-modified. We apply the mark to every image, including photographs supplied by tour operators, because the types cannot always be told apart. Images illustrate the area and atmosphere of the tour, not the accommodation or services included.

from€979

Trekking bikeE-bikeBike & Boat8 days / 7 nights271 km2/5Medium-EasyLinear

Guided

Short Description

Set sail from the medieval heart of Bruges and cycle your way north through the flat Flemish countryside to Amsterdam. Over eight days, two wheels and two rivers will carry you from the Venice of the North to the capital of canals — with a comfortable barge waiting at every evening's harbour. Your route follows the Schelde downstream through illuminated Ghent, diamond-rich Antwerp, and the tidal polders of Zeeland before crossing into Holland. The Kinderdijk windmills will mark the turn, and the grand mansions lining the Vecht River will guide you on the final ride into Amsterdam — with a stop at a traditional Dutch cheese farm along the way. The barge is your floating hotel: spacious cabins, daily breakfast and six-course dinners, packed lunches to fuel the ride. Daily distances average 40–57 km on flat terrain, making this a relaxed adventure suitable for families, couples, and friends of any fitness level.

Tour Program

Day 1: Bruges (11 km)
You will board your floating home in Bruges harbour in the early afternoon. After a welcome meeting and bicycle fitting, a short ride through the flat countryside around the city will warm your legs for the week ahead. In the evening, the tour leader will walk you through the illuminated centre of this UNESCO-listed Flemish jewel — a city of lace, chocolate, and perfectly preserved medieval facades.

Day 2: Bruges – Ghent (57 km)
Your first full day in the saddle will take you east along the Ghent Canal, pedalling through the gentle Flemish landscape from one great medieval city to another. Ghent was once the second-largest city in Europe after Paris, and its architectural richness — over a hundred churches, eighteen museums, and the world-famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Jan van Eyck — will reward an evening's exploration.

Day 3: Ghent – Dendermonde (40 km)
You will follow the tidal Schelde River downstream through a diverse landscape of water meadows and quiet villages. The day ends in Dendermonde, a friendly town at the confluence of the Dender and Schelde rivers, with a handsome town hall on a cosy square — the perfect setting for a Belgian beer.

Day 4: Dendermonde – Antwerp (48 km)
The Schelde will continue to guide you through the Temse region and the small village of Baasrode to Antwerp. This stretch of river held strategic importance for Romans, Vikings, the Spanish Empire, and Napoleon. Antwerp is a city of diamonds, Rubens, and Renaissance facades — explore the Grote Markt, the Cathedral, and the medieval Steen Castle. Tonight's dinner is yours to discover in one of the city's many restaurants.

Day 5: Antwerp – Tholen – Dordrecht (20 km)
While you enjoy breakfast, the barge will sail through the impressive Kreekrak lock system. You will cycle through the beautiful Wouwse Plantage forest to Tholen, once an island in the Zeeland waterways and still a picture-postcard village. Back on board, the barge will carry you through the Volkerak locks to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland. The tour leader will take you for an evening walk through its storied streets.

Day 6: Dordrecht – Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen (57 km)
A fast ferry will carry you to Alblasserdam, where the day's cycling begins with the highlight of the route: the 19 UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk, standing in their iconic row above the low-lying polder. You will visit one from the inside to see how these remarkable 18th-century machines once kept Holland dry. From Kinderdijk, the route continues to Schoonhoven — the Silver City, renowned for its silversmiths since the 17th century — and on to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek.

Day 7: Vianen – Amsterdam (38 km)
During breakfast, the barge will cruise to Breukelen. Your final day of cycling follows the Vecht River through an area famous for its grand mansions, small castles, and manicured gardens. You will pass through the charming villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen, and Vreeland, stopping at Nigtevecht to visit a traditional Dutch cheese farm. The route continues through the fortified town of Muiden before arriving in Amsterdam, where the barge awaits at the harbour.

Day 8: Amsterdam (departure)
Disembarkation after breakfast. End of your tour.

Available departures

Month

Ship

Next: 2 May 2027 · 20 departures · from €979 p.p.

May 2027

- Twin Lower deck€1,429
- Twin Lower deck€1,429
- Double Upper€1,899
- Twin Upper deck€1,639
- Twin Lower deck€1,249
- Twin Lower deck€1,249
- Twin or triple Lower€1,249€1,229
- Twin Lower deck€1,549
- Twin Lower deck€1,549
- Twin Upper deck€1,849
- Twin or triple Lower€1,549€1,529
- Twin Upper deck€1,639

Jun 2027

- Suite upper deck€2,149
- Twin Lower deck(on request)€1,549
- Twin Lower deck€1,549
- Twin or triple Lower€1,549€1,529
- Twin Lower deck€1,429
- Twin Lower deck€1,429
- Double Upper€1,899
- Twin Upper deck€1,639
- Suite upper deck€2,149
- Twin Lower deck€1,549
- Twin Lower deck€1,549
- Twin Upper deck€1,849
- Twin Upper deck€1,849
- Twin or triple Lower€1,549€1,529
- Twin Lower deck€1,429
- Twin Lower deck€1,429
- Double Upper€1,899
- Twin Upper deck€1,639

Tour details

LinearGuidedMinimum 2 peopleMinimum age 16 years

✅ What is included in the trip?

🏨 Overnight stay and breakfast
📲 GPS or navigation APP
🗺️ Maps
🧍‍♂️ Welcome briefing
🚲Semi guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently tour leader also cycles the tour)
💧Biodegradable water bottle
☕️ Coffee and tea on board
🍽️ 6 dinners (drinks excluded)
📞 Local telephone assistance 7/7
🍽️ Packed lunches

❌ What is not included?

🚎 Transfers not listed as Included
✈️ Journey to/from the starting point
🍽️ Meals and drinks not listed as Included
🖼️ Entrance fees and extras not listed
🛡️ Travel insurance
🌎 Tourist taxes
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person

🙋 Common questions

What is the difficulty level of this tour?
The tour covers 20–57 km per day on flat terrain along rivers, canals, and polders. No significant climbs are involved. An e-bike option is available for those who prefer pedal assistance. A basic level of fitness is sufficient to enjoy the ride.
What type of accommodation is provided?
You stay aboard a comfortable barge (either the De Holland or the Fluvius) in twin or double cabins with private facilities. All cabins are climate-controlled and include bed linen, towels, and daily cleaning. The ships carry a maximum of 44–66 passengers.
Are meals included?
Seven breakfasts, daily packed lunches, and six three-course dinners are included. One evening — in Antwerp — is free for you to explore the local restaurant scene. Coffee and tea are available on board until 4 PM. Drinks at dinner are not included.
Do I need to bring my own bicycle?
No, touring bikes and e-bikes are available to rent. Touring bikes cost €91 per week and e-bikes cost €252 per week (subject to availability). You may also bring your own bike; parking on board costs €14 per week, or €28 per week with a charging station for e-bikes.
How do I get to the starting point in Bruges?
The barge docks in Bruges harbour. Embarkation is between 1 and 2 PM. Bruges is easily reached by train from Brussels (1 hour), Ghent (30 minutes), or Amsterdam (3.5 hours). Detailed arrival instructions are provided after booking.
When is the best time to take this tour?
Departures run from April to October. May, June, and September offer the most pleasant cycling weather and longer daylight hours. July and August are warmer but busier. Late-season departures in October are quieter and more affordable.
Is this tour suitable for families?
Yes. The flat terrain and moderate daily distances make this tour family-friendly. The De Holland offers triple cabins with a third bed for children up to 15 years at a discount of €20 per person. E-bikes are available for those who prefer assistance.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Cycling is self-guided, so you set your own pace and can adapt to conditions. The barge is always within reach by the end of each stage. In case of severe weather, you can remain on board — the ship sails the route regardless.