Amsterdam to Bruges Boat & Bike Tour
Boat & Bike • 7 nights
VISITING: The Netherlands, Belgium
Overview
Why we love this tour
Amsterdam’s world famous museums and Bruges' medieval squares
Ghent's jaw-dropping oil paintings and Antwerp's stylish streets
Flat cycling terrain across Dutch polders and Flemish landscapes
Choice of seven barges including Premium Magnifique boats or the comfortable Fluvius
*Save £100 per person on 13 & 27 July, 10 & 24 August departures
Guiding
Distance
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Standard
Departs
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The best way to experience the historic landscapes and canalside settlements of Holland and Belgium is by bike and barge. Stopping off at historical cities en route, the antique shops, cobbled streets and designer boutiques of Antwerp are a highlight, and look forward to Ghent's jaw-dropping art. Cycling from Amsterdam to Bruges along gentle riverside paths and pedalling through forests, you’ll ride across famous Flemish landscapes and Holland’s flat green polders.
Pick between five barges, from Premium to Standard Category - the Premium barges follow Itinerary A, the Standard barge Fluvius follows Itinerary B. Whichever barge you choose, it’s worth arriving early on day one to visit Anne Frank’s House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, or extending your stay in Bruges to appreciate the city’s almshouses, medieval squares and tempting cafes.
For alternative dates, this tour runs in reverse from Bruges to Amsterdam. If you prefer to stay in hotels instead of on a boat, you may want to have a look at our hotel-based tour Amsterdam to Bruges - Hotel & Bike which runs most days throughout the season.
Read about Tara's week cycling this exciting tour in her trip report.
The Trip
Route
Itinerary
or click on individual days
Day 1: Amsterdam
Itinerary A (Magnifiques & Zwaantje) - Amsterdam - Vianen
Make your way to Amsterdam to board your boat from 1:30-1:50pm (luggage can be left on board from 11:00 am). At 2:00 pm, set sail to Vianen, a small fortified town on the River Lek. Test ride your bike on a short ride through the local area.
Itinerary B (Fluvius & De Holland) - Amsterdam - Vianen
As per Itinerary A, but boarding from 1:00-1:50pm, with 2:00pm departure.
Accommodation
MS Magnifique I
View full details of the MS Magnifique I.
The new premium Magnifique I barge has been built by the same builder as the Magnifique II, III & IV. He has extended an existing ship by 12 meters, making it 57 meters long to accommodate up to 32 guests. The lower deck has 12 twin cabins (approx. 11 M²) and 4 junior suites (approx. 15 M²). All cabins have an en-suite shower and toilet, individually regulated air conditioning, TV, small safe and hairdryer.
MS Magnifique II
View full details of the MS Magnifique II.
The Magnifique II was built in 2016 after the success of the Magnifique. She is a 63 meter long premium barge that can accommodate up to 34 guests and sails under Dutch flag and management. The lower deck has 13 cabins: 12 twin cabins (approx. 11 M²), 1 premium twin (approx. 13M²). The upper deck has four beautiful suites with a large panoramic window (14 M²). The cabins on the lower deck have fixed portholes with the upper deck suites having a 2 meter wide
Magnifique II
MS Magnifique III
View full details of the MS Magnifique III.
The Magnifique III is a premium barge that can accommodate up to 40 guests. The lower deck has 14 twin cabins (approx. 11M²) and 2 single cabins. The upper deck has 5 suites (approx.14M²) with a small seating area and a large window that opens partially. The cabins on the lower deck have fixed portholes with the upper deck suites having a large window which can be partially opened. All cabins have en-suite shower and toilet, air conditioning, flat screen sa
Magnifique III
MS Magnifique IV
View full details of the MS Magnifique IV.
This premium barge can accommodate up to 36 guests. The upper deck has 10 beautiful suites (approx. 16M²) with double beds, a small seating area and a large sliding window. The lower deck cabins (approx. 12M²) have twin beds and fixed portholes. All cabins have en-suite shower and toilet, air conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, small safe and hairdryer. If requested, an extra bed is available in some lower deck twin cabins above one of the other beds.
Magnifique IV
Clair d'Etoile
The Clair d'Etoile (formerly Zwaantje) is 40 metres long and can accommodate 24 passengers. On the lower deck there are 12 cabins for guests: 10 twin cabins and two double cabins with an additional 3rd Pullman bed. All the cabins have a small ensuite bathroom with toilet, shower and wash basin, a fixed window (both double cabins have larger windows that also open) and individual air conditioning. On the main deck you can relax in the intimate saloon complete with air-conditioning, large panoramic windows, a restaurant area, lounge corner and a small bar. Free Wi-Fi is available in the salon (mobile internet, limited data). A great feature of the barge is the spacious sun deck complete with tables and chairs where you can relax. The new owners are experienced barge operators and will be delighted to welcome you on board. The enthusiastic and extremely motivated couple restyled the interior of the Clair d'Etoile during the winter of 2014/15, resulting in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Clair d'Etoile
MS Fluvius (self-guided)
This comfortable 70-metre river cruiser can accommodate up to 44 guests in 21 cabins (10M² - 12M²), 14 of which are on the lower deck and 7 on the upper deck, including 4 new upper deck double cabins with panoramic window that opens. The other cabins have twin beds. All cabins have en-suite shower and toilet, a fixed window for the twin cabins and an individually regulated air conditioning and ventilation system.
The large communal saloon with bar has a semi-separate restaurant area. On the large and partially roofed sun deck
MS Fluvius
De Holland (self-guided)
View full details of the De Holland.
Recently renovated in 2017/18, this deluxe river cruiser is 78m long, 7 metres wide and can accommodate up to 66 guests in 32 cabins. There is a large saloon with panoramic windows that has the restaurant, bar and the lounge. The sun deck is partially shaded and has chairs for you to relax and enjoy the scenery.
De Holland
We have been on this tour - and loved it! Speak to us and find out if it's right for you.
Dates and prices
Please scroll to choose your departure date, then click to view prices and book.
What's included
Price includes
7 nights accommodation: on the ship and cabin of your choice
Board basis: Full board (apart from one dinner) including breakfast, packed lunch and 6 three course dinners
English speaking tour guide on board and on bike (on Magnifiques each boat has 2 guides) - Fluvius & De Holland boat is self-guided
Cycle maps and route information (1 per cabin) - GPS tracks available
Welcome meeting
Local contact number for assistance
A few short walking tours
Daily cabin cleaning
Daily coffee and tea (on Fluvius & De Holland until 4pm)
Ferry fees (not on Fluvius & De Holland barges)
Entrance to the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp, canal trip through Ghent on the guided tours
Helmets and water bottles on board the guided tours
Price excludes
Flights and transfers
Cycle helmets on the self-guided boats
Bike hire
Entrance fees & excursions
Drinks on board
Special dietary requests
Transfers to/from the docking
Bike hire and extras
Bike hire
Bikes come with a pannier and a small repair kit all included at no extra cost when you hire a bike. Please note that for this tour due to limited space on deck it is not possible to bring your own bike. Helmets and water bottles are also included with rental bikes on board the Zwaantje, and Magnifique boats.
Hybrid bike (for premium boats)
E-bike (for premium boats)
Hybrid bike (on self-guided boats)
E-bike (on self-guided boats)
Bringing own bike (not on the Zwaantje barge)
Bringing own E-bike - not on the Zwaantje barge (includes a charge station)
Other Extras
Helmet
Helmet hire (on self-guided boats)
Board upgrade
Gluten or lactose free diet (65 Euros payable locally) - please select if applicable
Why people book with us:
Friendly service with expert knowledge
Easy to book and pay online
Full financial protection
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this tour. Simply click on a question to reveal the answer.
Take a train (Belgian Rail) or bus from Bruges to fly from Brussels or Charleroi.
Your days will involve gentle riding, mainly on flat terrain and with minimal effort required. Easy cycling holidays are suitable for most people whether you are a regular cyclist or not, however we recommend at least a few practice rides before your holiday!
We are always on hand to offer advice, so please give us a call if you wish to chat about the tour’s grading.
Some merchants in Belgian do not accept international cards. Also, make sure you have cash to pay your bar bill at the end of the week.
| Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
| 10°C | 14°C | 17°C | 18°C | 20°C | 17°C | 13°C |
Please advise us of any special requirements (vegetarian, gluten-free or lactose free-diet) at time of booking. We will notify the boat operator in advance (supplement on board for a gluten-free or lactose free-diet). Understandably, kitchen galley space is limited and not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely separately to cater for coeliacs. Vegan diets can sadly not be catered for.
Yes, you can relax on the boat or explore when you arrive at each destination instead of cycling.
This tour is guided and self-guided, so you have the option to cycle with your guide or independently with the maps and route notes provided.
Absolutely! Boat & Bike tours are very sociable and a good choice for single travellers wishing to mix with other guests and share your common interest of cycling.
What other customers say about this tour
If we don't have availability for the date you want to travel, you may want to look at the reverse route 'Bruges to Amsterdam' or our hotel-based tour 'Amsterdam to Bruges - Hotel & Bike'
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