Berlin – Stralsund | Cycling & Cruising Along Lakes and the Baltic Coast

Your journey begins in vibrant Berlin, one of Europe’s most fascinating capitals. Before boarding, you have time to explore highlights such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, the historic Nikolaiviertel and the elegant boulevard Unter den Linden. The city offers a unique combination of history, culture and modern creativity.

In the afternoon, travel to the embarkation point where MS Princess is ready for boarding from 4:00 PM. After settling into your comfortable outside cabin, you will meet the crew and receive practical information about the itinerary and upcoming cycling stages.

During the welcome drink, meet your fellow travellers and discover the relaxed Bike & Barge concept. In the evening, dinner is served in the cosy onboard restaurant, followed by time for a stroll along the waterfront or a drink in the lounge.

MS Princess remains overnight in Berlin. Over the coming days, you gradually leave the metropolis behind and cycle deeper into the peaceful landscapes of northern Germany, making this first day a relaxed and inspiring start to your 8-day bike and boat holiday towards Stralsund.

After an extensive breakfast buffet, your first cycling stage begins north of Berlin. You soon leave the urban surroundings behind and enter the forests and lakes of the Ruppiner Seenland, cycling along quiet paths and broad forest tracks beside waterways that are part of the historic canal network around Berlin.

Along the route, charming villages and open landscapes reveal how quickly nature takes over in this region. Midway through the day, you reach Oranienburg, known for the elegant Schloss Oranienburg with its impressive baroque gardens — well worth a short visit before continuing north.

The route becomes increasingly green and peaceful, with views of canals, forest edges and small bridges. By late afternoon, you arrive in Eberswalde, where MS Princess awaits. Here you can also discover the oldest operational lock in Germany, an impressive piece of engineering history in the town centre.

Back on board, a warm dinner and relaxed evening await. This first cycling day is ideal for finding your rhythm: flat, varied and perfectly suited for leisure cyclists.

Today’s cycling stage leads through one of the most characteristic landscapes of Brandenburg. From Eberswalde, you follow the towpath along the historic Finow Canal, one of Europe’s oldest artificial waterways. The route winds through forests, open fields and quiet nature reserves, passing small locks, wooden bridges and peaceful resting places that recall the era when horses pulled ships along the canal.

A major highlight is the impressive Niederfinow Boat Lift, one of Germany’s most remarkable hydraulic engineering structures. An optional visit is highly recommended for anyone interested in technology and industrial heritage.

Afterwards, continue cycling towards Hohensaaten, where the landscape opens up as the Oder River comes into view. Here you rejoin MS Princess and sail onward to Schwedt through peaceful river scenery.

From the sun deck, enjoy wide views across the wetlands and watch for water birds in this natural area. The day ends with a relaxed dinner on board, a beautiful combination of nature, engineering and history.

After a peaceful night on board, today’s cycling stage starts in Schwedt on the edge of Lower Oder Valley National Park, one of Germany’s most biodiverse river landscapes. This protected cross-border nature reserve is known for its wetlands, floodplains and exceptional birdlife.

You cycle along the Oder-Neisse Cycle Route through wide open meadows, marshlands and quiet river scenery where numerous bird species can be observed. The silence and vast landscapes make this one of the most scenic days of the journey.

Along the way, you pass Criewen, home to the national park visitor centre — an ideal stop to learn more about the flora and fauna of this unique natural area.

The route then continues to Mescherin, a small border village on the Oder River, where MS Princess awaits for a relaxing cruise to Szczecin.

During the sailing section, the landscape gradually changes from natural riverbanks to urban harbour scenery. In Szczecin, there is time to explore the impressive Wały Chrobrego, the broad boulevards and the historic Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle.

A day that beautifully combines nature, culture and international atmosphere.

Today is a fully relaxing day on board. Early in the morning, MS Princess leaves the harbour of Szczecin and sails through a narrow channel into the wide Oder Lagoon, also known as the Stettiner Haff.

This vast lagoon forms a natural border between Germany and Poland and offers beautiful panoramic views of shimmering water, birdlife and green shorelines. Spend the day relaxing on the sun deck, reading a book or taking photographs of the peaceful waterscape.

In the afternoon, the ship reaches Zinnowitz on Usedom, one of the most elegant seaside resorts on the German Baltic coast. Here you have time for an evening walk between the Baltic Sea and the Achterwasser lagoon, along the promenade, historic villas and wooden pier.

This day offers a perfect pause between cycling stages and allows you to fully recharge for the final days of the journey.

Today you explore Usedom by bike, with a choice of two scenic routes. One option leads via Mölschow and Zecherin, where you may visit the famous local distillery, while the coastal alternative heads towards Trassenheide and Karlshagen.

This route follows wide sandy beaches, dune landscapes and elegant seaside resorts known for their distinctive spa architecture. Both options offer a pleasant combination of nature, sea air and relaxed cycling.

Your cycling day ends in Peenemünde, where an optional visit to the Historisch-Technisches Museum Peenemünde is worthwhile. The museum is located in a former power station and offers fascinating insight into the region’s technological history.

In the early evening, MS Princess departs towards Rügen. During the sailing section, enjoy the changing coastal scenery before arriving at sunset in Lauterbach, a peaceful harbour town in the southeast of the island.

A day full of freedom, coastal charm and fresh Baltic landscapes.

The final cycling day is dedicated to Rügen, Germany’s largest and one of its most beautiful islands. From Lauterbach, you first cycle to elegant Putbus, famous for its circular square known as Circus Putbus and its classical white architecture.

The route then continues through the green interior of the island via Garz, Groß Schoritz and Poseritz. Along the way, you pass quiet villages, farmland, orchards and historic churches, while the landscape gradually opens up as you approach the mainland.

Leaving the island via the impressive Rügendamm, you cycle towards Stralsund, the beautiful Hanseatic city where the journey concludes.

There is still ample time to explore the UNESCO-listed old town, known for its brick Gothic architecture, lively squares and the impressive Ozeaneum by the harbour.

In the afternoon, board MS Princess one final time for a shared farewell dinner on board.

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to MS Princess and her crew. Disembarkation takes place until 9:00 AM.

You may continue your journey home or choose to stay an extra night in Stralsund to further explore this beautiful Hanseatic city, known for its UNESCO-listed old town, historic harbour atmosphere and brick Gothic architecture.

A relaxed conclusion to a varied and unforgettable Bike & Barge journey.