Bike and barge tour Stralsund to Berlin – MS Princess

Your journey begins in Stralsund, a beautiful Hanseatic town on the Baltic Sea that immediately puts you in the holiday spirit. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to explore the charming historic centre, known for its red-brick Gothic architecture, harbour promenade and rich maritime history. Stroll along the harbour, admire the old warehouses and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this beautiful northern coastal region.

From 4:00 pm, you can board the MS PRINCESS, your comfortable floating hotel for the week ahead. After checking in, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin and unpack. The crew will welcome you with information about the ship, safety procedures and the programme for the first cycling stages.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner in the cosy onboard restaurant, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and the crew. Afterwards, take a short evening stroll through Stralsund or relax on the sun deck.

The MS PRINCESS remains in Stralsund overnight, allowing you to start your first day of cycling feeling refreshed. This relaxed start gives you plenty of time to settle in, enjoy the surroundings and look forward to an unforgettable 8-day bike and barge holiday from Stralsund to Berlin.

Today you leave the historic Hanseatic town of Stralsund via the impressive Rügendamm bridge and cycle onto the island of Rügen. The route takes you through Gustow to Lauterbach in the southeast of the island, where the MS PRINCESS is already waiting for you.

Prefer to explore the island your own way? You can also stay aboard as the ship sails to Lauterbach and set off from there on a day trip to the charming seaside resorts of Sellin, Baabe, or Binz. A ride on the “Rasender Roland” — Rügen’s historic narrow-gauge steam railway, is a great way to experience the island from a different perspective.

After a relaxing night on the water, you arrive in the morning at Peenemünde, located on the island of Usedom. Today you can choose between three routes, letting you explore the island entirely at your own pace. Consider starting the day with a visit to the Historical-Technical Museum, housed in the former power plant, which tells the fascinating story of Peenemünde. The Usedom Distillery in Mölschow is also worth a stop if you’re interested in local products and craftsmanship. From there, pick the route that suits you best: a short, relaxed ride through Trassenheide and Karlshagen — ideal to combine with a refreshing dip in the Baltic Sea — or a longer option through forests, dune landscapes, and coastal areas. Along the way, pine forests, wide beaches, and charming coastal villages alternate. The route ends in Zinnowitz, one of Usedom’s most elegant seaside resorts, known for its promenade, half-timbered villas, and broad, soft sandy beach. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the village or relax at a café terrace before returning to the MS Princess in the afternoon, where you can enjoy a quiet evening at the quayside.

Today is a rest day with no cycling — a chance to relax fully on board. The MS Princess departs early in the morning and sails across the wide waters of the Oder Lagoon toward Poland. This stretch is one of the most beautiful sailing sections of the trip: vast expanses of water, wetlands, bird-rich areas, and the sense of space and stillness so characteristic of northern Germany. You’ll have plenty of time to relax on the sun deck, read, take in the scenery, or photograph the wildlife drifting past. In the afternoon you arrive in Szczecin (Stettin), a lively port city with historic grandeur. The city is known for its imposing Ducal Castle, wide boulevards, green parks, and a striking mix of modern and classical architecture. You can optionally join a guided city walk or explore independently. It’s an ideal day to unwind, socialize with fellow travelers, and enjoy the comfort of the MS Princess. In the evening, a delicious dinner is served on board as you look forward to the second half of your bike and barge adventure..

After breakfast, the MS Princess sails to Mescherin, where your bikes are waiting for a beautiful ride along the Oder–Neisse Radweg. This section of the route runs straight through the cross-border nature reserve Lower Oder Valley National Park, one of Germany’s most remarkable river landscapes. You’ll cycle past floodplains, marshes, open water, and forest edges that are home to countless bird species. The area is known for its tranquility, silence, and impressive biodiversity. Along the way you’ll pass the former Criewen estate, home to the National Park Centre — a fascinating stop for anyone curious about the flora and fauna of the Oder Delta. The route is gently rolling and easy to cycle, ideal for taking in the nature at a relaxed pace. The destination is Schwedt, a quiet town on the Oder with a pleasant riverside promenade and parkland. In the afternoon you return on board for coffee, tea, or a snack. The rest of the evening is yours to relax in the lounge or on the sun deck as the river slowly turns dark — one of the most scenic and relaxed cycling stages of the entire trip.

You’ll wake to the gentle sound of water this morning, as the MS Princess sails to Hohensaaten. From here begins a varied stage toward Eberswalde, through a landscape of low hills, open fields, and quiet forests. One of the highlights along the way is the famous Niederfinow Boat Lift, Germany’s oldest still-operating ship lift. A visit or guided tour is optional and well worth it. From there, you’ll continue along quiet paths and country lanes toward the historic Finow Canal, one of Europe’s oldest artificial waterways. The towpath — once used by horses to pull barges — forms a beautiful stretch along the water. The final section of the route takes you through Eberswalde, where you’ll discover cozy cafés, small bridges, and green corners of the town. In the late afternoon you’ll board the MS Princess again, which moors in the town centre. After dinner, take a short stroll or simply enjoy the view from the sun deck. This is a varied day combining nature, engineering, and history in perfect balance.

The final leg begins in Oranienburg, where you disembark after breakfast. This region is known for its lakes, forests, and historic country estates, making for a relaxed and richly varied day. A visit to the baroque Oranienburg Palace, with its elegant garden and orangery, comes highly recommended. The cycling route then follows well-marked paths through the green Ruppin Lake District, an area of quiet lakes and picturesque villages. As you get closer to Berlin, the landscape gradually shifts — urban elements blend with parks and wide cycle paths. The route brings you comfortably into the German capital, away from heavy traffic. You’ll finish at the mooring point where the MS Princess is already waiting. Enjoy your final evening on board, share stories with fellow travelers, and say farewell to the river landscape you’ve come to know over the past week. This closing stage is varied, relaxed, and a beautiful conclusion to an unforgettable bike and barge holiday.

After a final breakfast on board, it’s time to check out. Disembarkation takes place until 9:00 am. You’ll find yourself in the heart of Berlin, making it easy to start your journey home or extend your stay to explore the city further. Berlin offers countless things to see and do, from museums and monuments to parks, markets, and historic neighborhoods. After a week where cycling, sailing, and nature came together perfectly, you conclude your trip with a head full of stories and impressions. The MS Princess and her crew bid you farewell and wish you a safe journey home.