Itinerary: Cycling tour from Magdeburg to Bad Schandau (or return)

Day 2: Magdeburg - Barby (approx. 40 km)

Between Magdeburg and Barby you will cycle across another biosphere reserve along the river Elbe giving home to lots of vulnerable species of birds. Sometimes you can even see a beaver.

Day 3: Barby - Dessau (approx. 38 km)

With Dessau you will enter a town which played an important role for a new architecture style including a whole life philosophy occured in the 1920s, the so called "Bauhaus". The Bauhaus Building, the Masters' Houses in Dessau and the Garden Realm Dessau-Woerlitz are part of the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage.

Day 4: Dessau - Wittenberg (approx. 37 km)

This leg will take you through the beautiful meadows of the Elbe and past the world-famous Woerlitzer Park and Gardens. The 100-hectare large park offers numerous attractions including islands, canals, temples and statues. Today you will be staying in Wittenberg, a town which became famous through Martin Luther.

Day 5: Wittenberg - Pretzsch (approx. 34 km)

As the historic, spiritual and cultural centre of Europe, Wittenberg was influenced by such important historical figures as Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Johannes Bugenhagen, Justus Jonas, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Lucas Cranach the Younger. In 1996 the Luther memorials were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Take your time to discover all this interesting places because it is only a short ride passing through the floodplains of the river Elbe until Pretzsch.

Day 6: Pretzsch - Torgau (approx. 38 km)

You journey continues to Torgau, a Renaissance town featuring Schloss Hartenfels and the palatial church which is known as the first Protestant church of Germany and which was dedicated by Martin Luther.

Day 7: Torgau - Strehla/Riesa (approx. 40/48 km)

Today you will be cycling through the town of Belgern, the only town in Saxony which owns a Roland statue. Next stop will be Riesa, the city of sports. The town is also famous for its pasta production. In the transparent noodle centre you can gain an insight into the modern food production at the second biggest German pasta manufacturer. On the way you will be enjoying the enchanting rural atmosphere of the Elbe town of Strehla.

Day 8: Strehla/Riesa - Meißen (approx. 36/28 km)

Today’s tour will take you along the picturesque wine villages located along the Elbe river, especially Diesbar-Seußlitz. From far away you can already see the landmark of the city of Meissen: the impressive castle hill with the cathedral and the Albrechtsburg castle. A visit to the world-famous Meissen porcelain factory is also a must. Enjoy a good wine in the evening as you are in the heart of one of the smallest yet most distinguished winegrowing regions of Germany.

Day 9: Meißen - Dresden (approx. 30 km)

Next you will be cycling to the city known as the Florence of the Elbe, Dresden, which is beautifully located along the Elbe valley. Whether the famous Zwinger, the Semper Opera or the Court Church – a tour of the former royal residence by bicycle will take you past many sites.

Day 10: Dresden - Pirna (approx. 22 km)

With renewed vigour you will start the last leg of your journey to Pirna. The highlight of the day will be a stroll through the gardens of Pillnitz Palace, the former summer residence of the royal Wettin family of Saxony. The park with its numerous trees, some of which are more than 200 years old, is regarded as a significant collection of rare and precious plants.

Day 11: Pirna - Bad Schandau (approx. 23 km)

Pirna is the gate to the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Today you will pass by a unique scenery with bizarre rock formations, massive woods and plateaus. We recommend to visit the famous fortress in Koenigstein. Your cycling holiday ends in Bad Schandau, one of the oldest and most centrally located resorts of ‘Saxon Switzerland’.

Day 12: Individual departure

There is a direct train connection between Dresden and Berlin every two hours.