What is a Boat & Bike Cycling Holiday?

A Boat & Bike cycling holiday offers a stress-free yet fun way to explore, with the bonus of good food and a friendly crew. Whether you’re sailing or docked, you’ll be surrounded by changing views of nature and sunsets from the boat - something you won’t always experience when staying in a hotel! Instead, enjoy a balance of energetic, rewarding mornings of cycling across the countryside and afternoons and evenings relaxing in the comfort of a boat.

At Freedom Treks, our Boat & Bike holidays are in high demand - and for good reason! In this blog, we’ll introduce you to how these holidays work and why they’re such a rewarding way to travel.

Browse all of our Boat & Bike cycling holiday to start planning your next trip, or for personal advice from our friendly team, enquire online or call +441273224066.

Simply put, a Boat & Bike cycling holiday allows you to cycle during the day and then relax, dine and sleep on board your floating accommodation at night. Your boat will be a barge, river or sailing boat ranging from Standard and Comfort to Superior and Deluxe. Most of our Boat & Bike cycling holidays provide morning and evening meals on board, and most cater for a packed lunch from the breakfast buffet to take with you.

These holidays usually mix cycling days with sightseeing or rest days on board, so there’s more time to explore big cities, take a break from the bike, or just enjoy the view from the deck. And since you're travelling with the same crew and fellow guests all week, there's a lovely sense of togetherness that builds throughout the trip.

Itineraries can vary on a Boat & Bike tour depending on whether you choose guided or self-guided tours. If you’re unsure where to start, read our blog: "What is a Self-Guided Cycling Holiday?", or call our friendly team for advice on +44(0)1273 977943 - we’re here to help!

Your room for the week will be in a cabin, with options ranging from simple and cosy to more luxurious. Cabin amenities typically include an en-suite shower and toilet, some storage and a small safe, and occasionally feature mini-fridges, TVs and air conditioning. On some of our premium boats, cabins are cleaned daily and fresh towels are provided - a thoughtful touch after a day of cycling!

Each morning starts with a relaxed breakfast. On many tours, you’re welcome to prepare a picnic lunch to take with you on your ride. After breakfast, the crew will have carefully unloaded the bikes, and you’ll be ready to ride.

Whether you’re on a guided or self-guided trip, you’ll receive a daily briefing from an onboard guide (along with route notes) so you have an idea of what highlights to expect for the day ahead.

For all tours, routes are designed to be scenic, enjoyable and manageable. There’s also no rush - the itinerary typically includes plenty of time for café stops, photo opportunities, or detours to local sights and small towns. Most days, you’ll return to the boat by mid-afternoon, where refreshments on deck await - a very welcome sight!

Evening meals are often inspired by local cuisine and consistently receive high praise from Freedom Trekkers. After dinner, you’re free to socialise, read, or simply enjoy the views as the sunsets. If docked, passengers are also free to disembark and explore the nearby area on foot.

In May 2025, Sales Consultants Arianna and Jess experienced their first time on a Boat & Bike holiday when they cycled the Danube River 4 Countries Boat & Bike Tour. They had a fantastic time, and Arianna’s trip report offers an honest day-by-day account of the tour.

If you love being near water, waking up to a waterside view each day, and like the sound of relaxed evenings onboard as the water laps gently against the boat, you’ll feel right at home. There’s no need to pack and unpack each day, making the whole journey feel easy and stress-free.

A major advantage of this travel style is how much ground you can cover. While you enjoy breakfast, the boat may already be cruising to the next location, meaning you can see more with less effort. Combined with your daily cycling, it’s possible to explore a wider region than you would expect on a traditional cycling tour. For example, if you wanted to cycle parts of the length of the Danube River, this becomes achievable on our Danube River - 6 Countries Boat & Bike Tour. Plus, you’ll cycle and boat through six countries in just one two-week cycling holiday!

Boat & Bike tours are usually guided, which many find more sociable, with shared rides and evening stories. Alternatively, self-guided options offer freedom during the day, but come evening, you'll still see familiar faces around the dinner table. Plus, there’s still plenty of space to read, relax or have a bit of solo time if you desire.

Life on board is also special - the crew often become a highlight of the trip, and are always helpful, friendly, and ready with a smile.

You unpack once, stay in the same cabin, and let the boat move you from place to place while you cycle during the day. Because your accommodation is fixed, evenings are usually spent on the boat. So If you enjoy relaxed evenings - reading a book, having a drink on deck, or chatting with the same group of people each night - this style of trip will suit you well.

Boat & Bike tours also work well if you like routine and convenience. Breakfast is always included, you always know where you’re sleeping with the reassurance of returning to the same space at the end of each ride.

Not what you're looking for?

On our Hotel & Bike cycling holidays, you’ll stay in different accommodation throughout your trip, giving you the chance to experience multiple locations along the way. Most of these trips are self-guided, so you can cycle at your own pace, linger over lunch or detour without worrying about making it back to a boat by a set time.

There’s no evening curfew - as long as you reach your next hotel by late afternoon, the evening is yours to explore. Your luggage is transported for you, so you still ride light, although you’ll typically need to have it ready at reception by around 9am. That doesn't mean you need to head off so early though - why not keep your toothbrush back and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before you set off?

Alternatively, cycling holidays from one hotel are perfect if you’d rather unpack once and settle into one hotel and ride out each day on circular routes, discovering the area in every direction.

Cycle through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary along the scenic Danube River, passing untouched forests, dramatic bends and charming villages by day, and stay on a premium barge by night. Explore iconic cities like Vienna, known for its musical heritage, Bratislava with its cobbled streets, and Budapest’s romantic architecture. Along the way, discover castles and palaces in Austria’s UNESCO-listed Wachau region. In Budapest, take a day to visit the market hall, historic old town, and stunning churches, or cycle to nearby Szentendre to admire its pretty houses and art galleries.

Choose between either the MV Vivienne or MV Lisabelle, which both feature floor-to-ceiling windows in luxurious styled cabins, along with comfortable communal areas and high-quality restaurants. For a more indulgent option, the MV Lisabelle offers the spacious Master Suite on the upper deck. Darryl and Saul have both stayed on the MV Vivienne, so don’t get hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions!

View boats: MV Vivienne and MV Lisabelle

View: Danube River - Passau to Budapest Boat & Bike Tour

Follow Italy’s longest river - the River Po - across Northern Italy by bike. You’ll board either the Ave Maria (superior) or Vita Pugna (standard). Travel through Lombardy and Veneto, before reaching Venice and the Adriatic Sea. Cycle through tranquil countryside and along riverbanks toward Renaissance cities, enjoying easy rides with stops for gelato and espressos. Visit highlights like Ferrara, Adria, and Ostiglia, sample cheese and grappa, and explore the famous Murano Glass factory en route. Sailing into Venice, one of Europe's most enchanting cities, is a special experience in itself.

Choose between a guided or self-guided tour. You can also complete this tour in reverse, allowing you to start in Venice if you prefer, as Content Specialist Beccy did in 2024. Read her Venice to mantua Boat & Bike Tour trip report to find out more! Catherine has also stayed on the Ave Maria if you have any questions!

View boats: Ave Maria and Vita Pugna

View: Mantua to Venice Boat & Bike Tour

Spend a week aboard a majestic sailing ship, either the Atlantis (which even features a library!) or Antigua, and cycle the scenic coastlines and islands along The Sound, the historic strait dividing Denmark and Sweden. On this guided tour, discover medieval citadels, colourful fishing villages, and quiet countryside along the way.

A highlight of the journey is a visit to Kronborg Castle - the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet - perched dramatically on the Danish coast. You'll also see 70-million-year-old white cliffs, a 13th-century church, and Denmark’s second-largest lake. On board, you can help hoist the sails and navigate, or simply relax and take in the sweeping sea views.

View Boat: Atlantis or the Antigua

View: Denmark and Sweden Boat & Bike Tour

On this tour, you’ll sleep aboard a premium-class modern motor yacht, either the Harmonia or the Bellezza, you’ll visit Croatia's charming Dalmatian Coast as you cycle from pretty green islands to captivating towns and cities. You’ll cast off from Dubrovnik with its terracotta roofs, and the cobbled streets and impressive city walls of Old Town, before hopping between islands such as Mljet, Korčula and the lavender fields of Hvar.

You’ll pedal through vineyards and forests, often with the cobalt blue Adriatic in sight. The rolling terrain offers breathtaking panoramic views, and any steeper ascents are easily tackled by the e-bikes on this tour.

This guided tour can also be completed in reverse, allowing you to start in Split if you prefer.

View boats: Harmonia or the Bellezza

View: Dubrovnik to Split Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour

Pick between five barges and two riverboats, ranging from Premium to Standard category - and cycle from Amsterdam to Bruges along gentle riverside paths and forests. You’ll ride past the iconic windmills of the Flemish landscapes, and cruise past Holland’s flat green polders, stopping off at historical cities en route. The antique shops, cobbled streets and designer boutiques of Antwerp are a highlight.

It’s worth arriving early on day one to visit Anne Frank’s House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, or extend your stay in Bruges to appreciate the city’s almshouses, medieval squares and tempting cafes.

This tour can be completed in both directions and either guided or self-guided.

View boats: De Holland and MS Fluvius (riverboats), Magnifique I, Magnifique II, Magnifique III, Magnifique IV, Clair D’Etoile (premium barges)

View: Amsterdam to Bruges Boat & Bike Tour

If you can picture yourself relaxing on deck after a fun-filled day of pedalling through stunning scenery, browse all our Boat & Bike cycling holidays to see where your next trip could take you.

If boats or water aren’t your thing, then sticking to dry land is probably the way to go! Check out our Hotel & Bike Cycling Tours instead, and read our blog What is a Hotel & Bike Cycling Holiday? for more guidance.

And if you’d like some help choosing the perfect tour, we’re here for that too. Give us a call on +44 1273 224066 or enquire online - we’re always happy to help you plan your perfect two-wheeled adventure using our first-hand experience.

Sign up for weekly updates

Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest cycling news and advice from Freedom Treks experts. Alternatively, follow Freedom Treks on Facebook and Instagram for travel updates from our team and customers.