Germany: Frankfurt- Bamberg or v.v. Fairytale towns along the Main River
Difficulty
Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
1 Difficulty level 1
Duration
The duration of the tour
8 days
Guidance
Independent cycling: No tour leader, the shipsβ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
Independent
Historic old towns, charming castles, and magnificent churches draw visitors from one place to the next in the Franconia region of Germany. Surrounded by forests and often enclosed by towers and ancient walls, many of these towns have a fairytale quality. Each one also invites you on a culinary journey of discovery. Itβs no coincidence that Franconia is known as a βland of indulgence.β The art of brewing beer is just as deeply rooted here as the tradition of winemaking. Local wines and beers pair perfectly with the hearty regional cuisine. One thing is certain: youβll fall in love with Franconia through both its beauty and its food! The ship: your floating hotel In between cycling excursions, youβll cruise along with the ship, which travels β¦
Historic old towns, charming castles, and magnificent churches draw visitors from one place to the next in the Franconia region of Germany. Surrounded by forests and often enclosed by towers and ancient walls, many of these towns have a fairytale quality. Each one also invites you on a culinary journey of discovery. Itβs no coincidence that Franconia is known as a βland of indulgence.β The art of brewing beer is just as deeply rooted here as the tradition of winemaking. Local wines and beers pair perfectly with the hearty regional cuisine. One thing is certain: youβll fall in love with Franconia through both its beauty and its food!
The ship: your floating hotel
In between cycling excursions, youβll cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. Youβll dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. Youβll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. Itβs also possible to spend a day on board, if youβd like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own (only on request).
Perfect for more experienced cyclists
With a detailed map of the area and a suggested route for close-range explorations, youβll decide where you go and how fast you ride. Each evening, the boardmanager will explain the next dayβs cycling route, pointing out any difficult parts, offering tips about places to stop for a drink or lunch, and mentioning the best things to see along the way. In case of emergencies or problems, the boardmanager can be contacted. But β as the ship is sailing to the next port β they can only offer assistance by phone.
Day 1 Frankfurt am Main β Embarkation | Frankfurt β Aschaffenburg
Embarkation starts at 4:00 p.m. in Frankfurt/Main. By 5:00 p.m., itβs time to cast off! Enjoy your first dinner while you cruise toward Aschaffenburg. Nestled at the foot of the Spessart hills, this peaceful university town on the Main River (approx. 70,000 inhabitants) boasts numerous magnificent buildings. Johannisburg Palace, built from red sandstone, is one of the most important and beautiful Renaissance buildings in Germany. Even King Ludwig I called Aschaffenburg the βBavarian Niceβ thanks to its pleasant climate.
Day 2 Aschaffenburg β Freudenberg
52km32 mi
On todayβs cycling route, just before you arrive in BΓΌrgstadt/Miltenberg, you have the choice of cycling on either the right or left side of the Main River. The riverside forest between Nilkheim and Niedernheim offers pleasant shade in summer and is easy to ride through. From Kleinwallstadt to Erlenbach, the βPlanet Cycle Pathβ accompanies you and offers interesting facts along the way. Benches and picnic areas can be found all along the Main, inviting you to take a break or even go for a swim.
Tonight, your ship will dock in Freudenberg, about 10 km (6.2 mi) from Miltenberg. Perched high above the Main and the town of Freudenberg, Freudenburg castle overlooks the landscape at the edge of the Odenwald.
Day 3 Freudenberg β Wertheim | Wertheim β Lohr
40km24 mi or 45km27 mi
While you enjoy your breakfast, your ship will take you to Wertheim. This charming town has preserved the character of a traditional small Franconian village and is the starting point of todayβs bike tour through the typical Main River landscape. Thereβs plenty to see along the way to the shipβs mooring in Lohr, with its picturesque old town full of historic buildings and Franconian half-timbered houses.
Day 4 Lohr β Karlstadt | Karlstadt β WΓΌrzburg
30km18 mi
In the early morning, your ship will take you past GemΓΌnden to Karlstadt, where youβll disembark to start your dayβs cycling. Karlstadt offers both old-town charm and rural idyll. Discover buildings over 800 years old in the historic town center, surrounded by walls, towers, and gates. From here, enjoy a relaxed ride to WΓΌrzburg, where youβll rejoin your ship in the afternoon. Be sure to visit the WΓΌrzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, or enjoy the stunning views from Marienberg Fortress.
Day 5 WΓΌrzburg β Martkbreit
25km15 mi or 47km29 mi
Todayβs bike route takes you along the Main Cycle Path from WΓΌrzburg through the fertile Ochsenfurt region to the charming town of Ochsenfurt, known for its distinctive turreted gate. From there, continue to the historic town of Marktbreit, with its splendid townhouses. If you like, you can take a trip to Kitzingen today (approx. 22 km round-trip bike ride). Visit this idyllic wine village and, if you wish, shorten tomorrowβs bike tour.
Day 6 Martkbreit β Volkach β Schweinfurt
30km18 mi or 70km43 mi
Today, there are several cycling routes to choose from: Cycle the long route along the Main Cycle Route from Marktbreit to Schweinfurt (approx. 69 km / 43 mi), choose an alternative route that occasionally veers away from the Main Cycle Path but still takes you to Schweinfurt via suitable, paved paths and roads (approx. 62 km / 39 mi), or opt for a shorter bike tour and enjoy a morning boat ride to Volkach first. There, youβll hop on your bike and ride to Schweinfurt (approx. 30 km / 19 mi). Tip: Visit the pilgrimage church of St. Maria im Weingarten near Volkach. The route continues to Fahr, where a welcome sign in the shape of a Bocksbeutel wine bottle greets you, then over the Main River loopβwhere the valley grows narrower and the vineyards more numerousβto Schweinfurt.
Day 7 Schweinfurt β HaΓfurt β Bamberg
35km21 mi or 40km24 mi
In the morning, your ship will take you to HaΓfurt. From there, youβll cycle via Zeil am Main β located right on the border between Wine Franconia and Beer Franconia β to Bamberg. Bamberg, like Rome, was built on seven hills and is often referred to as the βFranconian Rome.β This UNESCO World Heritage Site is charming! Donβt miss the picturesque fishermenβs quarter known as βLittle Venice,β a row of 17th-century riverside houses. And no visit to Bamberg is complete without a cold beer; the city is still home to eleven independent breweries!
Day 8 Bamberg
After breakfast checkout until 9:00 a.m. Have a safe journey home!
Day 1 Bamberg β Embarkation
Individual arrival in Bamberg and embarkation from 4:00 p.m. onwards. Bamberg is a city full of character and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The βIsland Districtβ resembles a little Venice, the βHill Districtβ is often called the Franconian Rome because of its seven hills, and the βGardenersβ Districtβ is truly one of a kind.
Day 2 Bamberg β HaΓfurt | HaΓfurt β Schweinfurt
25km15 mi
In the morning, the ship will take you to HaΓfurt with its charming historic old town. Nestled between two nature reserves, the city is home to remarkable sacred buildings such as the late Gothic Knightsβ Chapel and the parish church, featuring sculptures by Tilman Riemenschneider. From here, youβll start the dayβs cycling, riding to the former imperial city of Schweinfurt.
Todayβs destination is Kitzingen. This historic wine-trading town is home to the German Carnival Museum, which offers insight into an important part of Franconian customs. The Falterturm, with its leaning spire, is considered the townβs landmark. In Kitzingen, old brewing traditions meet winemaking traditions, as evidenced by the historic cellars. Some of Kitzingenβs restaurants offer guests hearty Franconian fare such as Sauerbraten with dumplings or βKarpfen Blau.β Alternatively, you also have the option of staying on board until Volkach, thereby shortening the bike tour by about 30 km/19 miles. Late in the evening, your ship departs for Marktbreit, your mooring for tonight.
Day 4 Marktbreit β WΓΌrzburg
25km15 mi
Continuing along the Main River, youβll soon arrive in WΓΌrzburg, a city with many attractions. One of these is the WΓΌrzburg Residence, considered one of Germanyβs most important palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. Other well-known landmarks include St. Kilianβs Cathedral and Marienberg Fortress. WΓΌrzburg is also a center of Franconian wine culture and, as a vibrant university town, full of life even in the evenings.
Day 5 WΓΌrzburg β Karlstadt | Karlstadt β Lohr
30km18 mi
Youβll start the day on the ship, arriving in Karlstadt in the late morning. Towers, gates, and old walls surround Karlstadtβs historic center, with its half-timbered houses and narrow alleyways. From there, youβll bike to todayβs destination: the town of Lohr am Main. Its old town, characterized by typical Franconian timber-frame architecture, marks the gateway to the Spessart hills. Buildings such as the Electoral Palace add to the townβs fairy-tale charm.
Day 6 Lohr β Wertheim | Wertheim β Freudenberg
27km16 mi
This morning, your will first take you to the city of Wertheim, with its impressive castle as its landmark. This historic town, featuring a charming market square and what is said to be the narrowest house in Franconia, marks the starting point of todayβs bike ride to Freudenberg. Perched high above the Main River and the town, Freudenburg Castle sits at the edge of the Franconian Odenwald forest.
Day 7 Freudenberg β Aschaffenburg | Aschaffenburg β Frankfurt/Main
53km32 mi
The highlight of todayβs bike tour is Miltenberg, home to Miltenburg Castle, built in 1200. From Erlenbach to Kleinwallstadt, youβll follow the βPlanet Cycle Path,β which offers interesting facts about the planets along the way. The riverside forest between Niedernheim and Nilkheim provides a pleasantly shaded route during summer. All along the Main River, youβll find benches and picnic spots that invite you to take a break, or even go for a swim.
After breakfast checkout until 9:00 a.m. Have a safe journey home!
Good to know
Cycle tours: The daily cycling tours are non-guided, independent tours. You will ride individually with the help of the GPS tracks in the GUIBO-App. The on-board tour manager will provide you with all necessary tour information during the daily briefings. The on-board tour manager will not cycle along with you, but can always be reached via cell phone.
Profile: Almost all this tourβs cycling routes can be classified as easy.
Excursions: We offer a small excursion program that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. Youβll receive a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants, some excursions could be carried out in two languages: German and English.
Schedule and itinerary changes: We reserve the right to make changes in the routing and/or the itinerary. In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the route by bus. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal rights shall be constituted in either situation. The same applies for officially-ordered, last-minute repair work on locks or bridges.
Notes: Please be aware that the ship is not only your hotel but also a machine, using the engineβs power during the night as well as when itβs on the move. In particular, going through locks or bridges β and the preparation work β may cause noise. If you are sensitive, please bring your own ear plugs.
Luggage: We recommend that you bring rainwear, a bicycle helmet, a sunhat and sneakers.
Digital travel documents and roadmaps: In the interest of sustainability and climate protection, please choose our digital route book instead of printed travel documents. The GUIBO app is your constant companion during your trip. A glance at your smartphone is enough to keep you safe and worry-free, with all the important information at hand. Travel information, ship and contact details and your bike routes are available digitally in the route book, available offline once you download it, and thus accessible at any time. The app is available for free and works on all standard smartphones (except for Huawei devices). You will receive the information to download and log into your booked trip via email before your journey begins.
Guibo App: To navigate safely throughout the day using the Guibo app, you will need a phone holder and a power bank to recharge your phone. If you do not bring these with you, both items are available for purchase on board in limited quantities.
Travel documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your trip. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenships or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements to visit the country, to inquire about visa and entry documents at the relevant embassy.
This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
We recommend that you take out a travel health insurance with repatriation coverage as well as baggage, accident and travel cancellation insurances.
Prices & availability
Date
Departure
Ship
Sunday
Apr 18, 2027
Sunday
Apr 25, 2027
Frankfurt
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Sunday
May 9, 2027
Sunday
May 16, 2027
Bamberg
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Sunday
May 30, 2027
Sunday
Jun 6, 2027
Frankfurt
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Sunday
Jul 4, 2027
Sunday
Jul 11, 2027
Bamberg
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Sunday
Jul 25, 2027
Sunday
Aug 1, 2027
Frankfurt
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Sunday
Aug 15, 2027
Sunday
Aug 22, 2027
Bamberg
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Sunday
Sep 5, 2027
Sunday
Sep 12, 2027
Frankfurt
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Sunday
Sep 26, 2027
Sunday
Oct 3, 2027
Bamberg
Independent
Casanova
Prices from
β¬1,199.00 p.p.
Practical information
Included in this tour
8 days/7 nightβs accommodation
Outside cabin with private facilities in the booked cabin category
Program according to itinerary
Welcome drink
7 x breakfast
6x light lunch on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists
6x afternoon coffee/tea break
7 x dinner
Use of bed linen and towels; change when required
Daily cleaning of the cabin
Daily briefings by multilingual (German/English) on board tour manager
Independent cycling tours (on board tour manager can be reached on his cell phone)
Digital travel documents via GUIBO-App incl. GPS tracks for cycle tours
Coffee and tea on board other than the afternoon tea/coffee break
Bicycle rental or e-bike rental incl. pannier bag
Helmet
Personal insurances
Gratuities (at your discretion)
Entrance fees and excursions
City maps
Fees for ferries
Transfers to/from the docking place
Shuttles
Parking fees
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: β¬ 5 per person β will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Rental E-Bike: β¬219 per week (only on request, limited number available)
To bring your own bike/E-bike: β¬59 per week (on request only, limited number, no tandems or tricycles possible)
Bike helmet: We recommend to wear a bike helmet. Please bring your own bike helmet. Onboard selling (limited quantities; brand: UVEX I-VO): β¬45 a piece, payment: cash only
Optional Excursions: We offer a small excursion program that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. You will get a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English)
Parking possibility:
Frankfurt: There are no designated parking areas near the dock (Osthafen) in Frankfurt, but there are parking garages and street parking spaces in the surrounding area. For more parking options, please visit the following link: Residentsβ parking
Bamberg: Underground parking βZentrum Nord,β approx. β¬15/day, or Park & Ride on the outskirts of the city with low parking fees, affordable tickets, and quick bus connections to the city center (e.g., P&R Heinrichsdamm).
Minimum number of participants: 75 guests (must have been reached within 21 days prior to departure).
Partner tour: Legal notice: Boat Bike Tours is not the organizing operator, but the travel agent for this tour; this is a so called βpartner tourβ, available on request. Tour operator is: SE Tours, Bremerhaven, Germany.
Loyalty Discount
Explore our Loyalty Discount!
After your tour, youβll receive an exclusive discount code:
You get 3% on your second tour with us.
From the third tour onwards, you will receive a 5% discount.
Enjoy savings on any of our upcoming trips in 2026.
Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!
Discover more
From the Rhine and Moselle to the Main and Saar, youβll cycle through fairytale towns, medieval fortresses and rolling hills while enjoying authentic German hospitality. Savor world-class wines and hearty beer gardens along the way, and discover more tours in Germany.
Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
Guided
From:
β¬ 2,159 p.p.
Details & booking
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