Mainz to Bamberg

You begin in the beautiful historic city of Mainz, with it's attractive town squares, impressive churches, and half-timbered houses. While biking along the Main River, you will pass lovely small German towns and villages. You can also stop and enjoy the local fine wines and delicious foods of the area. The Main River landscape will captivate you. Along the way, you will not be able to resist a swim in the lakes that beckon. Occasionally you come upon a road with a slight climb to a fortress that you can explore and of course enjoy the wonderful view. You will pass through towns with interesting stories to tell and fascinating castles to visit. Finally you will reach beautiful Bamberg! This was one of the few towns not destroyed by bombs during World War II and is therefore extremely charming, not to mention a UNESCO World Heritage Site! You must see the old city hall built on a bridge crossing the Regnitz River, and the old town is also worth a visit!

For 2018, COMBINE THIS TOUR with the week before, August 25 Merzig to Mainz for a fabulous 2-week holiday!

If cycling in Germany is what you seek, see all of our guided and self-guided bike tours in Germany here.

Day 1: Arrival in Mainz, Sailing to Frankfurt
Day 2: Frankfurt - Offenbach - Aschaffeburg, 26 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Aschaffenburg - Miltenberg, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Miltenberg - Gemünden, 32 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Gemünden - Marktbreit, 29 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Marktbreit - Schweinfurt, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 7: Schweinfurt - Bamberg, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 8: Departure from Bamberg

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

Day 1: Arrival in Mainz, Sailing to Frankfurt
You are welcomed on board the Merlijn with a cocktail. After check in, the Merlijn motors to Frankfurt am Mainz (approximately 3.5 hours). After dinner there will be some time to explore the city of Frankfurt. 

Day 2: Frankfurt - Offenbach - Aschaffeburg, 26 mi. (45 km)
During breakfast the Merlin takes you to Offenbach where the bike tour will start. Today’s tour leads you to Bürgel,Mühlheim, and Hanau, the town where the famous Grimm brothers were born. You cycle via Steinheim, with its charming historic center and Kleinauheim, Hainstadt, and Klein-Krotzenheim along the river Main to the small and the romantic city, Seligenstadt, with its meandering alleys, half-timber houses and the basilica. After crossing the river Main on a small ferry, you continue to Dettingen and Kleinostheim, and finally reach today’s destination, Aschaffenburg, with its museums, churches, and of course the castle that is situated at the river bank. Tonight you will dine in the city in one of the many restaurants at your own expense.

Day 3: Aschaffenburg - Miltenberg, 25 mi. (40 km)
Following the river (sometimes at the right and then again at the left bank) you pass lovely small towns and villages, such as Obernberg, and further on, Klingenber and Groszheubach, both famous for their fine red wines. The day ends in Miltenberg. This is a charming village because of its meandering streets and alleys, old restored half-timber houses and the historic market square. You may want to go for a drink in the oldest Pub of Germany ‘Zum Riesen’. Tonight you will be offered a brewery tour and beer tasting.

Day 4: Miltenberg - Gemünden, 32 mi. (50 km)
While you enjoy your sailing breakfast the Merlijn takes you from Miltenberg to Wertheim - situated right there where the rivers Main and Tauber meet –  a town that invites you to come and visit its historic center and the mountain ruins. From here you will bike to Gemünden, passing the half-timber castle Homburg, biking through the varying landscape with both wine mountains and afforested mountain slopes with bizarre rocks and historic monuments, like the Triefenstein monastery. Further on there is Lohr am Main and its Gothic and Baroque buildings. In Gemünden am Main is the confluence of three rivers: Sinn, Saale and Main.

Day 5: Gemünden - Marktbreit, 29 mi. (45 km)
Today the bike tour will lead you further on along the river Main, passing Karlstadt with its historic center, Zellingen, and Erlabrunn. Afterwards you will reach Wurzburg, the Baroque town on the river Main. Explore this beautiful city, hike the road that mounts gradually as you will go on and climb the fortress that offers a magnificent view of the historic center of Wurzburg with its many towers. After your visit of Wurzburg you will embark the Merlijn cruise to the charming village of Marktbreit. During the cruise, you pass vineyards and hills full of vines and charming wine villages like Sommerhausen, Eibelstadt, and Ochsenfurt.

Day 6: Marktbreit - Schweinfurt, 34 mi. (55 km)
The Merlijn sets off in the morning passing Kitzingen, famous for its leaning tower. The story goes that’s its leaning because the builders, who because of water shortage, mixed the mortar with wine instead of water, had too much wine while mixing. The bike tour of today will start close to Schwarzach, further along the bike path you pass the villages of Sommerach, Nordheim, and Volkach, all well known to wine connoisseurs. In Volkach the Main eddies like crazy. Here you will admire a cultural highlight: the pilgrimage church ‘Maria im Weingarten’ and the famous ‘Madonna im Rosenkranz’ by Tilmann Riemenschneider. Today's destination is the city of Schweinfurt, with its old center full of cozy little spots, the town hall, the tower and the market place, the museums and galleries and a lot more. Amongst them all the artificial ‘Schweine’  (pigs). This evening you will enjoy your dinner in a local restaurant at your own expense. Overnight stay on the barge as usual

Day 7: Schweinfurt - Bamberg, 22 mi. (35 km)
The day begins with breakfast on board while the Merlijn takes you to Hassfurt, famous for the late gothic Ritter chapel and the late gothic church at the market square with its valuable paintings (John the Baptist and Maria with child) by Tilmann Riemenschneider. From here, you begin cycling to the town of Eltmann and further on the Main river, passing the famous pilgrimage church Maria Limbach. You reach Bamberg, a very charming, historic bishops town with Villa Concordia, the historic lock 100, the water castle, the baroque house on the bridge and the former fishing settling Small Venice all emphasizing the tight connection between town and river. A must try is the famous smoked beer in this city!

Day 8: Departure from Bamberg
Departure from the Merlijn after breakfast. 

For 2018, COMBINE THIS TOUR with the week before, August 25 Merzig to Mainz for a fabulous 2-week holiday!

Looking for more?  View all of our featured bike and barge tours, or view our full list of bike trips.​

On the beautiful Merlijn, a comfort plus class ship.

• Merlijn

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  Deluxe Class Barge

  Touring Bicycle

  The Merlijn prides itself on the top quality bikes offered and as of 2023, have brand new standard bikes available. Although only your own helmet provides the best fit, bicycle helmets are available… Read More

  Electric Bicycle

  The Merlijn has unisex e-bikes available to rent. These must be reserved in advance. • Gudereit or ISY Brand … • 7 gears … • Bosch engine … Accessories … • Pannier bag … • Helmet rental included and… Read More

  "The Divine Miss M" as we lovingly call the Merlijn is a diva, for sure. What can we say? Is it the luxurious cabins with the most comfortable beds you have ever slept in? Is it the lovely dining area with the large windows and skylight that let the air, light, and sun pour in? Or perhaps it is the sun deck, where you can relax with newfound friends, sharing good wine and good conversation. We think you will find it is the entire divine package! Step on board and discover for yourself! Read More