Amsterdam and Brugges bike and boat - Magnifique III 2026/2027

Bike and boat route between the Netherlands and Belgium on Magnifique III

This route takes you from Holland to Belgium between Amsterdam and Bruges. Go to world famous destinations like Dordrecht, Ghent or Antwerp. Pedal by day and sail by night on the Magnifique III boat that perfectly bears its name.

Main points of interest :

• Tours of Amsterdam, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp
• Discovery of the Kinderdijk mills
• Explore the region of Flanders and its medieval towns
• Discovery of the Delta plan.

Day 1: Amsterdam to Utrecht

Boarding, check-in, and a welcome from the crew take place between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM, followed by a 2:30 PM departure for Utrecht. As the country's fourth-largest city, Utrecht charms visitors with its vibrant atmosphere, green spaces, and a medieval center perfect for leisurely strolling. An initial bike ride allows you to get your bearings and test out your rental bikes (if booked).

Day 2: Sailing from Utrecht to Vreeswijk | Cycling from Vreeswijk to Kinderdijk via Schoonhoven (31 km or 55 km)

While you enjoy breakfast, the boat travels to Vreeswijk, the starting point for the day's cycling leg. The route follows winding rivers, passes through traditional villages and historic locks, and winds through the heart of the Dutch "green lung." In the afternoon, the ride takes you into the Alblasserwaard—a former marshland transformed into a vast polder—to Kinderdijk. This is arguably the region's most iconic site, featuring 19 monumental windmills (a UNESCO World Heritage site) lined up in a village that has retained its authentic character. Finally, a ferry carries you and your bike across to Dordrecht, one of Holland's oldest cities.

Day 3 - Dordrecht - Willemstad / Willemstad - Bergen op Zoom (42 km or 50 km)

While you enjoy your breakfast on board, the ship will sail to Willemstad where you will start your bike ride. Willemstad is a beautiful old walled town on the Haringvliet waterway. Your bike ride goes to Tholen, once an island in the middle of the big Zeeland streams, where many people fished for a living. Today, Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways. But it is still a picturesque village with many remnants of a turbulent past.

In the afternoon, you will board the boat again and sail to Bergen op Zoom, a fortified village on the Scheldt. 

Day 4 - Bergen op Zoom - Kreekrak Lock (21 km or 35 km) / Kreekrak lock - Antwerp

Start your day with a bike ride through the beautiful landscape around Bergen op Zoom. In the afternoon you sail to Antwerp. 

Antwerp is famous for processing up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds and is a city with many attractions. Visit the City Hall, one of the many majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historic City Square Grote Market, the Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.

Tonight, dinner is not included which could allow you to discover one of Antwerp restaurants. After dinner, you can visit the beautiful historic city center. This is without a doubt one of the highlights of the trip. 

Day 5 - Antwerp - Temse - St Amands (34 km or 49 km)

Today's cycling stage takes you along the Schelde river through picturesque countryside towards St. Amands. There is only one way to describe the landscape around the Schelde and that is "beautiful". It is without doubt one of the most incredible landscapes of the trip. 

Day 6 - St Amands - Dendermonde - Ghent (52 km)

Today we will continue to follow the Schelde River to Ghent where the ship will dock for the night at a lock just outside the city.

Ghent is a lively university city with a rich history. Since Roman times, Ghent's position at the junction of the Leie and Scheldt rivers has allowed it to be a prosperous trading port. In total, the city has an opera house, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and more than 400 historical buildings. The main attractions are St. Bavo's Cathedral, where a number of masterpieces of medieval art are preserved, including the famous "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck and the 91-meter-high Ghent Belfry.

This is one of the three medieval towers overlooking the old city center. Before dinner, a small river boat will take you on a guided tour of the historic city.

Day 7 - Ghent - Bruges (22 or 45 km)

Today you will cycle from Ghent through the beautiful Flemish countryside of West Flanders to Bruges. It is described as the "Venice of the North" and arguably the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Bruges attracts more than two million visitors each year who come to see its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many historical attractions. Bruges has managed to maintain its historical fabric over the centuries, so that today the city's original Gothic buildings are an integral part of its identity. While you're here, you can visit one of Bruges' many museums or simply admire the amazing beauty and culture of this unforgettable city over a terrace café. 

Day 8 - Bruges

End of the tour after breakfast. Disembarkation until 9:30 am.

Bike cruise between Bruges and Amsterdam aboard the Magnifique III

Day 1: Bruges (15 km)

Boarding between 13:00 and 14:00 in the port of Bruges. After a welcome meeting with the crew, the boat leaves at 14h00. First test of the bike in the countryside around Bruges. After dinner, the guide will take you for a walk to the city center.

We advise you to come to Bruges one or more days earlier, in order to have time to discover the city, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 2: Bruges - Ghent (35 or 57 km)

Your first day on the bike takes you through the Flemish countryside along the canal to Ghent. Enjoy your afternoon exploring the city's historic center. The ship will dock for the night at a lock about 30 minutes by bike from downtown Ghent. Before dinner, you can enjoy a guided tour on a small boat through the historic center. 

Day 3: Ghent - Dendermonde / St. Amands (40 km or 53 km )

Take time to visit Ghent and then cycle through a varied landscape along the river Schelde to Dendermonde. The landscape here is beautiful. Ride between Dendermonde and Saint-Amands by bike or by barge depending on the tides. Your boat will be moored for the night in Saint-Amands.

Day 4: Saint-Amands - Temse - Antwerp (32 km or 49 km)

Today, follow the Schelde River through the Temse region to Antwerp, your destination for the day. This port city is known for processing up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds and is also the birthplace of the famous painter Paul Rubens. To visit: the city hall, the historic City Square Grote Markt, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.

During the evening, you may want to try one of Antwerp restaurants as dinner is not included.

Day 5: Antwerp - Kreekrak Locks | Kreekrak Locks - Tholen (36 km or 20 km) | Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht

The boat will sail along the Schelde-Rhine Canal and through the huge Kreekrak lock system. Here, your bike tour starts through the beautiful "Wouwse Plantage" forest to Tholen, which used to be an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams. From Tholen, you will join the boat for an afternoon sail to Dordrecht. Halfway there, you can see the impressive Volkerak lock system.

Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands is your destination for the day. The guide will accompany you on an evening walk and tell you about the history of the Netherlands.

Day 6: Dordrecht to Kinderdijk by Waterbus | Cycling from Kinderdijk to Vreeswijk/Utrecht via Schoonhoven (32 km or 57 km)

Board the "Waterbus"—a fast river shuttle—to the Alblasserdam area, located within a vast polder. A short ride brings you to Kinderdijk, home to a row of 19 windmills and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route continues through the Dutch countryside to Schoonhoven, a town renowned for its silversmithing craftsmanship. You then ride along the Lek River, enjoying a pastoral landscape as you make your way to Vreeswijk. This village, with its rich maritime history, is a lovely place to spend the evening; its inviting lanes and picturesque canals are perfect for a stroll.

Day 7: Sailing from Vreeswijk/Utrecht to Breukelen | Cycling from Breukelen to Amsterdam (36 km or 46 km)

The boat heads to Breukelen while you enjoy breakfast; this is where your final cycling stage begins. The route follows the Vecht River, lined with beautiful mansions and manicured gardens. You will pass through Nieuwersluis, Loenen, and Vreeland, with a stop in Nigtevecht to visit an artisanal cheese farm. Finally, you head toward the historic town of Muiden—the last stop before returning to the *Magnifique*, which is docked in Amsterdam's harbor.

Day 8: Amsterdam

End of your tour: Disembark after breakfast until 9:30am.

General informations :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Boat comfort level: Premium
• Child rates: contact us
• Languages spoken aboard : english and dutch

2026 dates :

Departures on Tuesdays

• From Amsterdam: 04/28, 05/26, 06/09, 6/23, 07/07, 07/21, 08/04
• From Bruges: 05/05, 02/06, 16/06, 30/06, 14/07, 28/07, 11/08​

Note: The rates shown online are for 2027. Please contact us for 2026 rates and to make a reservation.

2027 dates:

Tuesday departures

• From Amsterdam: 27/04, 11/05, 25/05, 08/06, 22/06, 06/07, 20/07, 03/08
• From Bruges: 04/05, 18/05, 15/06, 29/06, 13/07, 27/07, 10/08​

Included :

• Full board stay (picnic at lunchtime), except 1 dinner in Antwerp or Bruges
• Travel book
• Coffee and tea on board
• Welcome cocktail
• Air conditioning
• Sheets and towels
• Wifi
• Daily itinerary explanations
• Some guided walks
• Carbon tax
• Admission to the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp
• Canal walks in Ghent
• Tastings of local products 
• Fully guided tours: 2 guides (english-speaking) and 2 groups

Not included :

• Transportation to the starting point
• Personal expenses
• Visits
• 1 dinner in Antwerp or Bruges

The options :

• Bike rental (standard or ebike)
• Parking for own bikes

Levels:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat, very smooth roads and paths.

Weather :

Contrary to popular belief, the temperature in the Netherlands is close to the temperature in France. Near the coast there may be wind.

Technicality :

0 to 57 km of hiking per day, or about 3 to 4 hours of cycling.
Easy to follow route. No difficulties, accessible to all.

Bibliography :

Guide and maps on the Netherlands on cartovelo.fr
Guide and maps on Belgium on cartovelo.f

The participants :

On board you meet an international community of all ages, men, women, singles and couples with children.

Support :

Here are the people responsible for your bike and boat holidays:
On board, the captain and his boy. They are responsible for the smooth running of the holidays (on the boat) and take the boat from stage to stage. The cook prepares the meals.
Participants are accompanied by a guide. This will help you in the event of a breakdown and will advise you on the route to follow and give you the necessary tourist information. He or she is multilingual.

Meals :

- Breakfasts : on the boat, you will find a substantial and Dutch breakfast.
- Lunches : after breakfast you will prepare a 'lunch' yourself (sandwiches, fruit, snack, drink).
- Snack : After the daily trip you will find, when you arrive on the boat, various drinks, such as tea and coffee prepared for your return.
- Dinners : minimum three dishes. After dinner you have the choice between coffee and tea.
Other drinks, such as wine, beers, lemonades and mineral water are not included but can be purchased on board at a reasonable price.

The bike :

• The bikes are equipped with saddlebags as well as a bike lock and a tire repair kit.
• If you take your own bike, it cannot be insured against theft by our company, you will have to make the necessary arrangements with your usual insurer. Don't forget your bike lock ! The return of your bike will be at your expense.

Transport: Location

• By train : The departure towns for the bike and boat circuits are served by the railway. Amsterdam station is very well served, every day several trains come and go to France. The Thalys is the fastest.
• By plane : AMSTERDAM international airport.

Your vehicle :

We strongly advise against parking cars on the streets in Amsterdam. Information about guarded parking lots in the city can be found on the following website: http://www.naaramsterdam.nl

Cancellation insurance :
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.

Boat description : click here