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

4/5 (6)
7 nights
29 miles/day
Guided from EUR € 1109
Self guided from EUR € 1109
Countries: Belgium and Holland
Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Bike and boat tours

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

4/5 (6)

Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Bike and boat tours

7 nights
29 miles/day

Guided from EUR € 1109
Self guided from EUR € 1109
Bike and Boat Tour aboard MS Fluvius
Countries: Belgium and Holland

Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

  • A bike and boat tour between two iconic European canal cities

    Some of the most beautiful cities of Flanders and Holland are highlighted during this tour: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Amsterdam - where you can still sense 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 to Ghent. On the following day, you will cycle along the beautiful River Schelde and reach St. Amands. Further downstream along the Schelde, the harbor city of 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, providing an iconic Dutch scene for a photograph. In the evening, you can explore Vianen. You'll spend the last evening of your bike and barge trip in one of Europe's most exciting cities, Amsterdam, before you disembark in the morning.

    Combining a cycling holiday with a journey on a comfortable ship is a typically 'Dutch' concept. 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 and the option of longer/shorter or faster/slower tours. It is also possible to ride the bike tours individually - tour descriptions 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.

    • Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium. CC:Michielverbeek
    • Dordrecht, South Holland, the Netherlands. Frans Koning, Unsplash
    • Kinderdijk, South Holland, the Netherlands Roman Egautun , Unsplash
    • Tulips in North Holland. ©Hollandfotograaf
    • Dordrecht, South Holland, the Netherlands. Micheile_visualstories, Unsplash
    • Bruges, Belgium. Tamargogua, Unsplash
    • Waalseilandgracht in Amsterdam, North Holland, the Netherlands. Steven dosRemedios, Flickr
    • Tulips galore in the Netherlands. Sylwia Forysinska, Unsplash

    View more photos

    Highlights

    • Amsterdam, 'Venice of the North'
    • Antwerp, distinguished university city
    • Ghent, capital of East Flanders
    • Bruges, iconic Belgian city
    • Small winding rivers
    • Kinderdijk Windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Impressive traditional architecture

    Learn More

    Learn more about guided tours.

    Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Amsterdam and Bruges.

  • CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium. CC:Michielverbeek' data-type='image'> Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium. CC:Michielverbeek
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Frikandel with fries, a favorite in the Netherlands. CC:Guusbosman' data-type='image'> Frikandel with fries, a favorite in the Netherlands. CC:Guusbosman
    CC-BY-ND-2.0 - Magna Plaza in Amsterdam, North Holland, the Netherlands. Steven dosRemedios, Flickr' data-type='image'> Magna Plaza in Amsterdam, North Holland, the Netherlands. Steven dosRemedios, Flickr
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Lys River, Ghent, Belgium. CC:Graham Richter' data-type='image'> Lys River, Ghent, Belgium. CC:Graham Richter
    CC0 - Herring in Holland! CC:Janericloebe' data-type='image'> Herring in Holland! CC:Janericloebe
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Castles in East Flanders, Belgium. CC:Francisco Conde Sanchez' data-type='image'> Castles in East Flanders, Belgium. CC:Francisco Conde Sanchez
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Antwerp, Belgium. CC:Maros' data-type='image'> Antwerp, Belgium. CC:Maros
    CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Ghent, Belgium. CC:Gregd1957' data-type='image'> Ghent, Belgium. CC:Gregd1957

    Amsterdam to Bruges

     Tour Description Daily Program 

  • Daily program

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

    • Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam | Cruise Amsterdam – Vianen (3-9 miles/5-15 km)
      Embarkation and check-in is at 1:00 pm. Around 2:00 pm, the ship will cruise to Vianen, where you will stay the night. Here, you can enjoy a short test bike ride through the surrounding area. Vianen is a beautiful medieval city with remnants of the old defensive walls and a historic town center.

      Overnight in Vianen.

      Day 2: Cycle Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk | Cruise Kinderdijk – Dordecht (34 miles/56 km)
      After breakfast, you'll cycle a beautiful route to Schoonhoven, nicknamed 'Zilverstad' ('Silver City') owing to its reputation for talented silversmiths stretching back to the 17th century. As you continue cycling along the Lek River, you'll pass through the Alblasserwaard region to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll have the opportunity to visit on of these iconic Dutch landmarks. From nearby Alblasserdam, you'll take the 'Waterbus', a fast ferry that'll take you and your bike to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland, in approximately 10 minutes.

      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 will cruise to Tholen. You'll start today's bike tour by riding through a forested area, the 'Wouwse Plantage', towards the impressive Kreekraksluis (locks). Here, you'll meet your ship and cruise to Antwerp. Antwerp, birthplace of the world-famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens, is famous for handling up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds and boasts a number of beautiful attractions including: the City Hall (one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period), the historic City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, and the medieval Steen Castle. After dinner, you'll visit Steen Castle and the beautiful 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 follow a beautiful cycle path out of Antwerp along the tidal Schelde River towards Dendermonde, your home for the night. The landscape around the Schelde is magnificent and undoubtedly one of the natural highlights of the tour.

      Overnight in Dendermonde.

      Day 5: Dendermonde – Ghent (32 miles/52 km)
      Today you'll continue to follow the River Schelde towards Ghent, where the ship will moor at a lock in a suburb. Ghent, a lively university city with a rich history, is at the junction of the Leie and Schelde Rivers, a position that has granted it the status of being a major trading port since the Roman era. The city features an Opera House, 18 museums, over 100 churches, and more than 400 historical buildings. A major attraction is the St. Bavo Cathedral, where a number of medieval artistic masterpieces are housed, including the world-famous The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the van Eyck brothers.

      Overnight in Ghent.

      Day 6: Ghent – Bruges (28 miles/45 km)
      Today your bicycle tour will lead through the beautiful Flemish countryside of West Flanders to Bruges, an iconic Belgian city. Every year, more than 2 million visitors are attracted to the ambiance of Bruges' UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed historic center. An outstanding example of a medieval settlement, Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric even as it has evolved over the centuries, meaning that today, the city's original Gothic constructions still form an integral part of Bruges' identity.

      Whilst you're in this splendid city yourself, we recommend visiting one of the many museums, or simply soaking up the stunning beauty and culture of Bruges on a stroll or from the comfort of a streetside cafe.

      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 of your trip takes you along a quiet canal dotted with poplars and into an attractive polder landscape typical of Belgium. You'll pedal past a number of quaint farmhouses as you travel towards the North Sea coast, where a long sandy beach and numerous cafes provide an inviting spot for your lunch break. Refreshed and revitalized by this awesome landscape, you'll ride back to Bruges.

      Overnight in Bruges.

      Day 8: Bruges
      Disembarkation is by 9:30 am, following breakfast.

      Don't want the adventure to end? Consider a cycling day tour in Bruges or Amsterdam.

    • Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Bruges (6 miles/11 km)
      Arrival and embarkation takes place between 1:00-2:00 pm in the beautiful city of Bruges, the 'Pearl of the Flanders'. The crew will welcome you aboard, and you'll have the opportunity to take a short bike ride in the afternoon. After dinner, your guide will lead you on a short walk around the magnificent historical center of Bruges.

      Overnight in Bruges.

      Day 2: Bruges – Ghent (36 miles/57 km)
      Your first bike tour will begin early this morning, with a ride to Ghent through the iconic landscape of West Flanders. Today's destination is the historic center of Ghent, a lively university city with a rich history. Ghent is at the junction of the Leie and Schelde Rivers, a position that has granted it the status of being a major trading port since the Roman era. The city features an Opera House, 18 museums, over 100 churches, and more than 400 historical buildings. A major attraction is the St. Bavo Cathedral, where a number of medieval artistic masterpieces are housed, including the world-famous The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by van Eyck brothers. Soak up the atmosphere of the city during an afternoon stroll. The barge will be docked in a small suburb, approximately 30 minutes by bike from the city center.

      Overnight in Ghent.

      Day 3: Ghent – Dendermonde (24 miles/40 km)
      After breakfast in Ghent, you'll cycle through a diverse landscape as you follow the tidal Schelde River towards Dendermonde, located at the junction of the Dender and Schelde Rivers. Dendermonde boasts a beautiful town hall located in a cozy, atmospheric square - this is the perfect location for a refreshing Belgian pint after your bicycle ride! The St. Alexius Beguinage is also worth a visit - here you can learn about historical housekeeping, work, and recreational traditions in Dendermonde.

      Overnight in Dendermonde.

      Day 4: Dendermonde – Antwerp (21 miles/48 km or 39 miles/63 km)
      Today you'll follow the Schelde further downstream through the Temse region towards Antwerp. This part of the route follows a beautiful, twisting section of the Schelde which, over the centuries, has held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish, and even Napoleon.

      Antwerp - your destination for the day - is a harbor city situated on the Schelde and famous for handling up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds. The city, birthplace of the famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens, boasts many highlights 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 begins with a ride through the beautiful 'Wouwse Plantage' forest to Tholen. Tholen used to be an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams where many people fished for a living. Nowadays, it's connected to the mainland in a number of ways, but Tholen is still a picturesque village with many relics of its eventful past.

      From Tholen, you'll join the ship again for a relaxing afternoon sail into Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland. Halfway through the route, the ship will pass the impressive Volkerak lock system. Your tour leader will take you for an interesting walk this evening, providing intriguing insight into 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 into Alblasserdam today. From here, you'll cycle to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed windmills. You'll visit one of these iconic Dutch landmarks, constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder.

      Cycle onwards to Vianen via Schoonhoven, nicknamed 'Zilverstad' ('Silver City') since the 17th century owing to its reputation for talented silversmiths. Vianen, sitting on the River Lek, is a beautiful medieval city with remnants of the old defensive walls and a historic town center.

      Overnight in Vianen.

      Day 7: Cruise Vianen – Breukelen | Cycle Breukelen – Amsterdam (24 miles/38 km or 29 miles/48 km)
      The ship will cruise to Breukelen this morning, where you'll disembark and begin the last day of your cycling tour. Ride along the little River Vecht in an area well known for its beautiful mansions, small castles, and grand houses boasting large gardens. You'll cycle through the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen, and Vreeland to Nigtevecht, where you'll visit a traditional cheese farm. Next, cycle onwards to the historical town of Muiden and finally to iconic Amsterdam, where you'll meet the barge for the final time in Amsterdam's harbor.

      Overnight in Amsterdam.

      Day 8: Amsterdam
      Disembarkation by 9:30 am, following breakfast.

      Don't want the adventure to end? Consider taking a cycling day tour in Amsterdam or Bruges.

      Note: Not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the shorter bicycle ride options.

    Surface and terrain

    The quality of the cycle paths along this route is excellent. The paths are mostly paved or asphalted, and there are no gradients of note.


    Boats


    How to get there

    Tour start (Amsterdam - Bruges) or tour end (Bruges - Amsterdam)
    Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
    Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal

    Tour end (Amsterdam - Bruges) or tour start (Bruges to Amsterdam)
    Nearest airport: Ostend-Bruges (OST)
    Nearest train station: Bruges

    Tips on getting to and from your tour.


    Amsterdam to Bruges

     Tour Photos Dates & Prices 

  • Dates

    From Amsterdam: Apr 14, 28; May 12, 26; Jun 09, 23; Jul 07, 21; Aug 04, 18; Sep 1, 15, 2024
    From Bruges: Apr 21; May 05, 19; Jun 02, 16, 30; Jul 14, 28; Aug 11, 25; Sep 8, 22, 2024

    Season A: Apr 14, 2024 - Apr 20, 2024
    Season B: Apr 21, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024

    Prices

    Fluvius

    Per person, double occupancy Season A Season B
    Below deck, Small twin cabin €1109 €1159

    Below deck, Twin cabin

    €1159 €1209
    Upper deck, Twin cabin €1359 €1409
    Upper deck, Double cabin €1559 €1609
    Single use cabin (1 person/1 cabin)
    Below deck, Small twin cabin €1739 €1814

    Additional Services

    Guided tour package (on request) €90
    Canal cruise in Amsterdam (1 hr) on request

    Bike Rentals

    Standard touring bike, 7-speed €96
    Electrically assisted bike (limited number, only on request) €245
    Helmet €10

    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 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 €65.20 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):

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

    *More about electrically-assisted bikes >

    Equipment available:

    • Water bottle
    • 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:
    At this time, it is not possible to change the saddle. 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


    Amsterdam to Bruges

     Daily program Route Map 

  • Route Map

    Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.


    Amsterdam to Bruges

     Dates & Prices Tour Reviews 

    • Linden Bentley 3 months ago

      Great organization, fantastic biking.

      The biking staff we very helpful and knowledgeable. King and welcoming, understanding of all levels and the territory. The daily rides by digital “ride with gps” was pretty much flawless, and the app staff very fast and helpful when a problem arose.
      The boat staff very warm and helpful. The cleaning staff timely and great for cabin cleaning. The chef; warm, funny and talented. Food delicious.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 10, 2023
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
      • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • Tom Hawkins 3 months ago

      Trip postponed

      We were unable to do this fantastic trip due to an injury. We are how every very excited about doing it next year. It sounds like a fantastic experience!

    • ontherun August 10, 2019

      Great country to visit but maybe not with BikeBoatTours

      We certainly enjoyed the country and the flat bike trails (lol!) but the company that provided our tour was mediocre at best. They had no concern for safety - did not require helmets, nor did the guides wear them. The bikes had no water bottle holder and the lights on the bikes did not work. Also, after strongly encouraging us to download Ride with GPS, they sent us the daily route but then: did NOT have holders on the bikes to put our phone on and it's illegal there to ride with a phone in your hand! Also, they did not follow the routes as stated in the Ride with GPS so the app was constantly beeping that we were off track and was, essentially useless. The guides seemed to be suffering from burnout. They were nice but did not offer any information unless asked and were extremely disorganized throughout the trip. The food on the boat was adequate but repetitive - same breakfast every day and we had to make our own lunch from the same food every day....unless it ran out and then we were stuck with prosciutto and bread that day. The boat itself was nice and the cabins were nice. Cleaning was not done during the trip unless asked.

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 24th
      How many tours have you completed?
      7
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Much easier
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • 2/5 Value
      • 2/5 Included meals
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 1/5 Ease of navigation
      • 2/5 Tour documents
      • 1/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
      • 3/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • Kazookris June 2, 2019

      Fantastic trip! It was on my bucket list and so happy that I can check off.. Will try other tours.

      I organized a trip for 24 of us from Michigan on the Amsterdam - Bruges May 4- 11, 2019. The trip was fantastic. We had a few rough days of weather yet were positive and biked anyways. Nice accommodations, staff was very friendly and accommodating to dietary needs ( one vegetarian and the lactose free). Bar prices were reasonably. The tour guides were informative and nice that they did a few evening tours. You could bike on your own and I did this several days. The maps were clear. The extra side trips were nice, strawberry fields, bike museum, sandstone shop etc... There was flexibility for those that didn't want to ride on the rainy, cold morning. I will be doing another tour in the future.

      What was the date of your tour?
      May 4-11,2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      none
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
      • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • Kokapelli May 12, 2019

      Great bycycling trip by boat

      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
      • 4/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • Stew August 29, 2017

      Perfect way to see Holland

      What was the date of your tour?
      August 12 to 19
      How many tours have you completed?
      4
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 2/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
      • 4/5 Guides (if applicable)

    Amsterdam to Bruges

     Route Map Book This Tour 

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