Explore Europe by bike and river cruise

Bike and barge tours

34 tours see all tours

IN BRIEF

In the daytime by bike, in the evening on the boat

A bike-and-boat holiday is one of the most sought-after cycling holidays in Europe. Holidays along rivers, canals and coastal routes, with daytime cycling and overnight stays in a floating hotel that follows you from stage to stage. The cabin is yours for the whole week, and breakfasts and dinners are served on board, where the captain and crew are always ready to welcome you back. You can unwind in the salon or stretch out on the sun deck, and if one day you simply don’t feel like cycling, you can stay on board all day!

Why choose a bike and boat holiday?

On a bike and boat tour, you cycle through landscapes you could never see from a car or a tour bus, and at the end of the day, your floating-hotel is already there, moored and waiting. No packing and unpacking needed and the cabin is yours for the whole week.

On Girolibero Original tours in Italy and France, our own barges are run by a local crew that takes real pride in what ends up on your plate: fresh, local ingredients sourced along the route, dishes that change with the season and the region. Eating well is part of the journey, not an afterthought.

TO KNOW

Once upon a time in the Netherlands...

Bike and barge holidays were born in the Netherlands, where flat landscapes, dense canal networks and a deep cycling culture made the combination feel perfectly natural. The idea quickly spread, and today you can enjoy a bike and boat holiday on rivers and canals across Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy. This type of tour is also available in Croatia and Greece, where you can hop between islands.

A unique perspective on every destination

Travelling by bike and boat gives you access to a side of Europe that most visitors normally do not see. Rivers and canals pass through the back of towns, alongside working farms and quiet villages, through nature reserves and under medieval bridges. Think of cycling into Avignon or Mantua from the water, discovering the Camargue wetlands at saddle height, pedalling through the Champagne vineyards or following the Moselle and the Danube through the heart of Central Europe. And what about the many islands in Croatia and Greece? You can hop from island to island!

Travellers from all over the world

Bike and barge tours bring together travelers from across Europe, North America, Australia and beyond, all sharing the same deck, the same dinner table and the same enthusiasm for slow travel. The common language is English, and the common ground is usually enough to spark friendships that outlast the trip itself!

Tours

Italy (1 tour)

Our original itinerary through the lakes of Mantua and along the canals parallel to the Po River, to the Venetian Lagoon. Our boats offer privileged access to the Po Delta Park, to small, unspoiled rural towns of the Po Valley, and to art cities such as Venice, Mantua, and Ferrara. The food on board features local traditional dishes, both simple and refined, so good that they alone are worth the trip!

France (4 tours)

An ever more bicycle-friendly country with a long tradition of river navigation. In the south of France, we offer a tour in the footsteps of Van Gogh: pedal among the villages of Provence and through the wild natural beauty of the Camargue. If you’re fond of wine and good food, you cannot miss the canals of Burgundy or Champagne. Bike and boat tours also reach the canals of the Seine, all the way to the heart of Paris!

The Netherlands (13 tours)

Here, there are so many itineraries to choose from! If you dream of visiting the country’s most famous and historical cities, choose the Southern Tour: you’ll discover Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, and Delft. If you prefer unspoiled nature, the Northern Tour is for you: from Amsterdam to small seaside villages, past lakes and countryside dotted with traditional windmills, to the dunes of Texel Island. And finally, the Tulip Tour is a must-see in the spring, when Holland is tinged with a thousand colors.

Belgium (4 tours)

Get ready to discover Flanders, Belgium’s most beloved region. Explore its landscapes and the historic cities of the Flemish painters: Brussels, romantic Bruges, wealthy Antwerp and Ghent. To accompany your days, delicious beer and the best fries in the world!

Germany and Austria (5 tours)

Rhine, Moselle, Danube: three great rivers and three great cycling routes, among the best-loved in Europe for itineraries of historical and natural interest, and an abundance of services dedicated to bicycle tourists. Vineyards and green landscapes line these rivers, and their banks are dotted with castles and abbeys that invite a visit. Wineries and wine tastings will also offer temptations along your rides!

Croatia and Greece (11 tours)

Countless islands in crystal clear waters, reefs, beaches and small bays. From island to island by boat and then by bike on scenic roads overlooking the sea. Overnight stays aboard comfortable motorsailers with an outdoor deck where you can relax and admire the sunset or dive into the water for a swim.

Themes

For families (2 tours)

Little captains, we wait for you on board for a fun-filled holiday: lots of cycling and other activities to enjoy during the day, and at night you sleep in a floating hotel that follows you stage by stage. Learn more about our family tours

FAQ

You cycle during the day, and in the evening, you return to your cabin on a floating hotel that follows you from stage to stage. Dinner and breakfast are served on board. If you wish, you can relax in the lounge or on the sundeck. If you don’t feel like cycling one day, you can stay on board and enjoy the sailing.

Two timeless classics: the tour in Provence and Camargue, and the one from Mantua to Venice, along the waterways of the Veneto! In Holland, we offer several tours to suit everyone’s tastes. You can choose to discover the Holland of tulips and Amsterdam, the Southern Route, the Northern Route, or Amsterdam and Flanders. You can also travel with us among the most beautiful islands of Croatia, where you can enjoy turquoise waters, sun, and nature.

It depends. If you choose the self-guided bike and barge option, you will ride alone at your own pace, and we will provide you with all the necessary information, materials, maps, and route descriptions. If you opt for a group trip, our tour leader will guide you!

Combine the freedom of biking with the comfort of a floating hotel. Enjoy the landscapes from the water, travelling without suitecases, a convivial atmosphere, and local recipes prepared by the onboard chef.

Lunches are packed, and breakfasts and dinners are served aboard the boat and prepared by our chefs.

On each tour page, you will find information about the route’s level. Tours in Italy and the Netherlands are almost entirely flat, while those in Croatia and Greece are mostly hilly and mountainous and require a little more training. But don’t worry—when you don’t feel like cycling, you can always choose to stay on board!

From clothing and footwear to electronics and luggage tips, we’ve put together a complete cycling holiday packing list. Don’t forget the essentials: a raincoat, padded shorts, sunscreen and a power bank. Check out all our suggestions in this article: cycling holiday packing list

Of course! If you ever don’t feel like riding one day, you can stay on board and enjoy the sail.

Depending on the boat, the number of guests ranges from 20 to 40, which is ideal for making friends. The average age is between 50 and 80, but families with children and younger cyclists also travel during the high season.

We recommend booking as early as possible, as places on the barge are limited. Many of our most popular tours sell out months in advance. Last-minute availability does occasionally come up, so it is always worth checking.

We strongly recommend it. A good policy should cover medical expenses, trip cancellation and cycling-specific incidents. Travel insurance is not included in the tour price and must be arranged independently before your trip.

It is simple: choose your trip, get your quote, and book directly online by filling in the required details and paying a deposit by credit card or bank transfer. Within 3 working days we will send you a confirmation email or an update. If you have any questions or doubts, get in touch. We are available by phone or email.

Assistance

The tour leader, captain and crew lead the way and is ready to solve any mishaps, but you will also have our office number, which is available 7 days a week.

You will receive briefing materials with all the practical information, details on how to reach the meeting point, and answers to any questions you may have before you leave.

Discover more

Girolibero cycling holidays

Holidays on cycle paths and the best cycle tourism routes in Italy and Europe, featuring accommodation in selected facilities, luggage transport services, informational materials, bike rentals, and dedicated assistance

Discover all bike tours

Our barges

River and sea boats: 4 owned by Girolibero, all others are from selected European partners

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Travelers’ tips and stories

Get inspired before your trip with advice and travel tales from fellow adventurers on our blog

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