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Rhine highlights: Cologne, castles & industrial heritage Vibrant riverside cities, romantic castles and a green industrial landscape

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Difficulty
Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain

1 Difficulty level 1
Duration
The duration of the tour

8 days
Guidance
Semi-guided

Exploring the Rhine and the Ruhr by bike and by ship offers a rare perspective on one of Germany's most varied and good-humored regions. This is western Germany, where the Rhine, one of Europe's great rivers, winds north from Koblenz past a string of lively cities toward the Dutch border. Over eight days you'll trade romantic river scenery for vibrant cities and remarkable industrial heritage, all from the comfort of your hotel ship, which follows you from stop to stop as your floating home.By day you cycle at your own pace on well-paved paths and former railway lines; by evening you're back on board for dinner, with a new city waiting just off the gangway. Look forward to Cologne, Düsseldorf and Bonn, the vast Landschaftspark …

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Rhine highlights: Cologne, castles & industrial heritage

By day you cycle at your own pace on well-paved paths and former railway lines; by evening you're back on board for dinner, with a new city waiting just off the gangway. Look forward to Cologne, Düsseldorf and Bonn, the vast Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein Coal Mine, and the romantic Middle Rhine Valley. And in 2027 the region puts on an extra show: the International Garden Show (IGA) turns parks and former industrial sites across the Ruhr into a colorful blend of garden design, nature and industrial culture.

The ship – your floating hotel

Between rides, your ship carries you easily from place to place. While you take in the passing scenery from the sun deck, new cities, landscapes and cultural discoveries are already waiting ahead. On board you enjoy breakfast and dinner each day and restful nights in your cabin.

Each morning at breakfast you can put together your own packed lunch, and on most days you can choose between a shorter and a longer route, depending on how you feel. Prefer a relaxed day? Simply stay on board and enjoy the view from the sun deck. Rental bikes are provided, and you're welcome to bring your own (please note this when booking).

Self-guided cycling

An experienced, multilingual tour leader travels with you on board. At the daily briefing they'll tell you everything you need to know about the next day's route. You cycle independently and at your own pace, with a detailed cycling map, printed route description, GPS tracks and the free RideWithGPS app for your smartphone. Your tour leader rides the same route, so they're always nearby and reachable by phone for questions, problems or emergencies.

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Welcome aboard: Koblenz – Cologne

Your adventure begins in Koblenz, where the Moselle and Rhine meet at the Deutsches Eck ("German Corner"). Most international guests fly into Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Cologne/Bonn (CGN), with an easy train or transfer on to the ship, moored centrally in Koblenz. Once you've settled into your cabin, the crew welcomes you aboard and introduces the captain and ship safety. Soon it's "cast off": the ship heads downstream toward Cologne, framed by medieval castles on both banks. Enjoy your first impressions from the sun deck before a welcome dinner rounds off the evening. Overnight in Cologne.

Day 2 Along the Rhine Cologne – Monheim – Düsseldorf

25km15 mi or 55km34 mi

After breakfast we fit your bikes so every rider has a comfortable match for the days ahead. Then your first stage begins along the Rhine, one of Europe's most important waterways for centuries. You follow the river through Monheim to Düsseldorf, past green floodplains and lively promenades. Düsseldorf, capital of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is famous for what locals call "the longest bar in the world" (a nickname for its old town, packed with pubs). Stroll the celebrated Rhine promenade, take in the elegant Oberkassel district, and enjoy the mix of historic old town, modern architecture and Rhineland flair.

Day 3 Industrial heritage in the Ruhr: Düsseldorf – Duisburg | Duisburg roundtour

40km24 mi or 60km37 mi

While you enjoy a leisurely breakfast, your ship sails to Duisburg, where today's ride begins. Discover a lesser-known side of the Ruhr, the former coal-and-steel region where towering industrial sites have been reborn as sprawling parks and cultural attractions. Your route runs through the striking Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, past Oberhausen Castle and the landmark Gasometer to the lively Centro, one of Europe's largest shopping and leisure centers. Choose the longer route and you'll also reach the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein Coal Mine, once one of the most important collieries in the world. Then it's back to Duisburg, where your ship is waiting. Enjoy dinner on board and let the day wind down.

Day 4 Cruising the Rhine: Duisburg – Düsseldorf

Enjoy a relaxed morning with free time to explore Duisburg on your own. Visit the lively city center, wander the picturesque Inner Harbor (once one of Europe's busiest inland ports, now a modern quarter of cafés, restaurants and eye-catching architecture) or simply unwind on board. In the late afternoon it's "cast off" once more as your ship sets course for elegant Düsseldorf. From the sun deck you watch the Rhine landscape drift by until the city skyline appears on the horizon. By evening your floating hotel is moored in the heart of the city, perfect for a stroll through the charming old town or along the riverfront.

Day 5 Between river meadows and the cathedral: Düsseldorf – Cologne

28km17 mi or 52km32 mi

Today you leave the Ruhr behind and follow the Rhine by bike toward Cologne, enjoying the varied river landscape and green belt before arriving in the afternoon. Depending on how you feel, choose the shorter or longer route. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is the oldest of Germany's larger cities; it was granted city status as early as 50 AD as a gift from the Roman empress Agrippina, and later became a major center of the Holy Roman Empire. Its landmark is of course the Cologne Cathedral (the Dom): construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880. The evening is yours: soak up the lively atmosphere of the old town and enjoy dinner ashore in one of Cologne's many restaurants or traditional brewhouses.

Day 6 In Beethoven’s footsteps: Cologne – Bonn

38km23 mi or 58km36 mi

Follow the Rhine cycle path from Cologne to Bonn, with a shorter and a longer option to choose from. Bonn is the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven and a city with more than 2,000 years of history; the Romans founded a settlement here, and from 1949 to 1990 Bonn served as the capital of West Germany. Historic buildings and government institutions still shape the cityscape today. Among the best-known sights are the Old City Hall, the Bonn Minster and Beethoven's birthplace. In the evening, wander the historic old town or the Rhine promenade.

Day 7 The romantic Rhine Valley: Bonn – Remagen | Remagen – Koblenz

50km31 mi

After breakfast the ship takes you to Remagen, where your final ride begins. This historic town is best known for the Ludendorff Bridge, the only intact Rhine bridge captured by American forces during Operation Lumberjack in March 1945, a pivotal moment in the war. From here you follow the Rhine through an especially beautiful stretch of the romantic Middle Rhine Valley, with castles crowning the heights and the first vineyards on the slopes. Along the way you pass the traditional spa town of Bad Hönningen and reach the former Roman town of Andernach, with its historic old center and the highest cold-water geyser in the world. In the afternoon you arrive in Koblenz, whose name comes from the Latin confluentes ("the merging of rivers"), where the Rhine and Moselle meet. Enjoy the atmosphere of Koblenz's old town or a final riverside walk to look back on the days behind you.

Day 8 Farewell in Koblenz

After one last leisurely breakfast on board, it's time to say goodbye. Disembarkation is by 9:00 AM. Travel home at your own pace, or extend your stay in Koblenz, carrying the color and good cheer of the Rhineland home with you.

Good to know

Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.
A detailed cycling map, route tips and a GPS app are available to cycle individually and at their own pace. The tour guide is always available via cell phone in case of questions, breakdowns or emergencies.

The bicycles of Boat Bike Tours

Always the best rental bikes

The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. We’ll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tour’s price.

Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.

Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Tours’s e-bikes.

Bicycle helmets
The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safety’s sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a “limit of liability for damage or loss” for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.

Other rental items
Other items such as children’s bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.

Taking your own bike or e-bike?
The fee for parking your own bicycle is €10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is €25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guest’s own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.

Touring bikes

Our bicycles have a lightweight aluminum frame and are furnished with highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds and a gel seat whose height can be adjusted. Attached to the frame is an easy-to-use lock and the wheels carry puncture-resistant tires.

E-bikes

Our e-bikes also have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame and special anti-puncture tires.

Taking your own bicycle

It is possible to take your own bike or e-bike with you, as long as it doesn’t have mirrors or other elements that stick out. There’s only limited space available on board for guests’ bikes. You can reserve a place for your bike for a small fee. Boat Bike tours is not responsible for damage to your bike or for theft.

Prices & availability

Practical information

Included in this tour

8 days/7 nights
7 x breakfast
Packed lunches
7 x 3-course dinner
Coffee and tea on board till 4 PM
Welcome drink
Use of bed linen and towels
Daily cleaning of the cabin
Climate-controlled cabin
Daily briefings
Self-guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently, tour leader also cycles the tour);
Guided city walk in Cologne
Live music on one evening
Cycling map and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
GPS tracks
Use of a waterproof pannier bag
Biodegradable water bottle
Wi-Fi is available in restaurant – for free, based on fair use
The CO2 emissions from this trip will be offset through Trees for All and plastic recycler Orca.

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Excluded from this tour

Coffee and tea on board after 4 p.m.
Drinks
Bicycle rental or e-bike rental
Helmet rental
Personal insurances
Gratuities (at your discretion)
Entrance fees and excursions
Fees for ferries
Transfers to/from the docking place
Parking fees
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person – will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)

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Additional options & information

2027:

Rental bicycle: € 98 per week
Rental E-Bike: € 273 per week (only on request, limited number available)
Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle €14/week (only bookable in advance)
Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike €28/week (only bookable in advance)
Parking own bicycle: € 14 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
Parking + charge station own E-Bike: € 35 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes
Helmets: A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.

Loyalty Discount

Explore our Loyalty Discount!

After your tour, you’ll 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, you’ll 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.

Media (12)

Duisburg Harbour

Düsseldorf Riverside

Düsseldorf Old Town

Cycling along the Rhine

Cologne Old Town

Cologne Cathedral

Bonn Minster

Bonn Old Town

Remagen Bridge

Cycling in Koblenz

Stolzenfels Castle

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle

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Can we help you?

NL: +31 (0) 20 72 35 400

Monday to Friday
Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00

USA: +1 800 228 5474

Monday to Friday
New York: 6:00AM to 07:00PM

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We will respond within 48 hours
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1 Ship available for this tour

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Veloria

Deck chairs

2027: Refurbished cabins

TV in the cabins

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 94 passengers 47 cabins
More info

Questions or advice

Our Tour Advisors are here to assist you: Monday to Friday
Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00
New York: 6:00AM to 7:00PM

NL: +31 (0) 20 72 35 400
USA/CAN: +1 800 228 5474

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Boat Bike Tours

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Rhine highlights: Cologne, castles & industrial heritage

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Rhine highlights: Cologne, castles & industrial heritage