Cycling holidays from Dresden to Hamburg
Through fascinating riverside towns to the "Gateway to the World"
The Elbe Cycle path belongs to one of the most popular cycle ways in Germany. On this cycle tour you explore the fascinating Florence of the Elbe Dresden with its famous historical center, the sports and noodle town Riesa, Torgau with the Hartenfels castle, further on to Magdeburg and the town of Luther Wittenberg. On the next kilometres you pass towns like Havelberg and Hitzacker and arrive on the 12th day of your trip the metropolis Hamburg.
Duration | 13 days/ 12 nights |
Travel period | 01.04.2024 - 31.10.2024 Anreise: Daily |
Bookable from | 1 person(s) |
Total length of tour | 645 km |
Characteristics of the tour | ![]() ![]() ![]() |


Your Contact Persons
Phone +49 (0)351 - 563 48 20
Email: aktiv@augustustours.de
Itinerary
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Day 1: Individual arrival in Dresden
You arrive in 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.
Overnight stay in Dresden -
Day 2: Dresden – Strehla (approx. 66 km)
The first leg of the bike tour along the Elbe river cycle trail will take you through the beautiful meadows of the Elbe valley. 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. On this stage of your bike tour you pass picturesque wine villages before you get to the City of Sports Riesa. Here the popular noodle producer is at home and in the pasta museum you will learn about the rich pasta shape. Should you be on a weekday in Riesa, even a glance at the current production is possible.
Overnight stay in Strehla -
Day 3: Strehla – Torgau (approx. 40 km)
On the way along the Elbe river cycle path you will be enjoying the enchanting rural atmosphere of the Elbe town of Strehla. You cycle tour 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.
Overnight stay in Torgau -
Day 4: Torgau – Lutherstadt Wittenberg (approx. 68 km) First you will have a ride passing through the floodplains of the river Elbe until Pretzsch. Today you will be staying in Wittenberg, a town which became famous through Martin Luther. As the historic, spiritual and cultural centre of Europe, Wittenberg was influenced by such important historical figures as Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Lucas Cranach the Younger. In 1996 the Luther memorials were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Overnight stay in Lutherstadt Wittenberg Tip: This tour can be divided by an overnight stop in Pretzsch (results in approx. 33 km/35 km). Online booking via "Erlebnispaket". -
Day 5: Lutherstadt Wittenberg – Dessau (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. 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".
Overnight stay in Dessau -
Day 6: Dessau – Magdeburg (approx. 78 - 88 km)
Between Barby and Magdeburg you will cycle across another biosphere reserve along the river Elbe giving home to lots of vulnerable species of birds. Magdeburg offers lots of rambling parkways where you can relax. Experience also the famous Cathedral and the Monastery.
Overnight stay in Magdeburg Tip: This tour can be divided by an overnight stop in Barby (results in approx. 40 km/42 km). Online booking via "Erlebnispaket". -
Day 7: Magdeburg – Tangermünde (approx. 80 km)
Today you will pass the impressive and technical challenging construction of the waterway junction - a gigantic building project to conect the waterways of Hannover, Magdeburg and Berlin. Milestone of this cycling day will be the famous monastery of Jerichow. The Elbe river cycle path takes you further to Tangermünde. By walking through the town you will discover the traces of 1000 years of history. The most impressive building is the 24 meter high town hall with its opulent decorated front created in the 15th century.
Overnight stay in Tangermünde Tip: This tour can be divided by an overnight stop in Bertingen (results in approx. 41 km/33 km). Online booking via "Erlebnispaket". -
Day 8: Tangermünde – Havelberg (approx. 50 km)
Today Elbe river cycle path takes you to Havelberg. Havelberg is another round village with half-timbered houses. Do not miss the Romanesque cathedral.
Overnight stay in Havelberg -
Day 9: Havelberg – Wittenberge (approx. 38 km)
We recommend to make a break in the town Ruehstaedt. It is known for its big stork population. Every year in spring time about 70 storks turn back from their winter time overseas to live on roofs, pylons or towers. Wittenberge with its numerous towers can already be seen from a distance.
Overnight stay in Wittenberge -
Day 10: Wittenberge – Hitzacker (approx. 78 km)
Recreative hours in untouched nature will define your cycling day. Only from time to time you will pass through dreamy villages.
Overnight stay in Hitzacker -
Day 11: Hitzacker – Lauenburg (approx. 55 km)
You will pass through an unique landscape called "Wendland" which is characterized by a special form of settlement - the round villages. The landscape is flat and dominated by huge floodplains. They are a paradise for birds like storks, sea eagles or cranes. Lauenburg is an old skippers town with a lot of beautiful restored half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th century.
Overnight stay in Lauenburg -
Day 12: Lauenburg – Hamburg (approx. 55 km)
Most of the time you will cycle along the Elbe riverbanks. Before entering the metropole you will pass a calm area with small villages. You can see Hamburg already from far away. Do not miss the opportunity to take part in a roundtrip by boat. You will get an impression of Hamburg harbor seen from the water with its huge ocean liners and container terminals.
Overnight stay in Hamburg -
Day 13: Individual departure
Your bicycle holidays from Dresden to Hamburg are now over. If you wish to extend your cycle tour along the Elbe river cycle path with extra nights in Hamburg or other towns along the way, we will be pleased to arrange additional accommodation for you.
Experience PACKAGES: Put the crown on your holiday!
Services
Services included
- 12 x overnight stay in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star-standard
- 12 x continental breakfast
- Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation during your cycle tours
- GPS data on request
- 1 package with maps and information material per room (in English language)
- Telephone-service-hotline during your cycling holidays
Additional services
Please feel free to add the following value-added services to the basic travel package of the tour from Dresden to Hamburg:
- Additional nights at every overnight location according to the tour description
- Rental bikes or electric bicycles for the duration of the tour (more about our rental bike service)
- FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)
Further information
Please note that in some cities accommodation taxes, visitor's taxes, etc. apply. Unless otherwise stated, these are not included in the tour price and must be paid locally.
This cycle trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.
Arrival & Departure
How to get to the tour
Tipps on how to get to Dresden
Arrival by train:
Dresden is easily accessible by train from all major cities in Germany.
From Dresden's main train station or Neustadt train station, you then have the option of using public transportation to get to your hotel.
Current timetable information and price information can be found at www.bahn.de
Arrival by car and parking facilities:
Dresden is connected to the main supra-regional traffic network via three freeways. Depending on the hotel, there are direct parking facilities or often nearby. Please understand that there are limited parking facilities at the hotel, especially in the city centers.
Check directly with your starting hotel to see if they offer parking. At www.parkopedia.de you will find a good overview of other parking options and we will be happy to inform you individually.
Arrival by train:
Dresden is easily accessible by train from all major cities in Germany.
From Dresden's main train station or Neustadt train station, you then have the option of using public transportation to get to your hotel.
Current timetable information and price information can be found at www.bahn.de
Arrival by car and parking facilities:
Dresden is connected to the main supra-regional traffic network via three freeways. Depending on the hotel, there are direct parking facilities or often nearby. Please understand that there are limited parking facilities at the hotel, especially in the city centers.
Check directly with your starting hotel to see if they offer parking. At www.parkopedia.de you will find a good overview of other parking options and we will be happy to inform you individually.
Prices
- Prices for services includedPrice validity: 01.04.2017 to 31.10.2024incl. luggage transferDblSglPrice validity: 01.04.2024 to 05.05.20241,349.00 € per person1,749.00 € per personPrice validity: 06.05.2024 to 07.09.20241,349.00 € per person1,749.00 € per personPrice validity: 08.09.2024 to 31.10.20241,409.00 € per person1,809.00 € per person1,349.00 € per person1,749.00 € per person
- Prices for additional nightsDblSglDresden75.00 €110.00 €Hamburg90.00 €120.00 €
- Prices for rental bikesPriceUnisex-Tourenrad mit 21-Gang-Freilauf15.00 €
per person and dayUnisex-Tourenrad mit 7-Gang-Rücktritt15.00 €
per person and dayHerren-Tourenrad mit 21-Gang-Freilauf15.00 €
per person and dayHerren-Tourenrad mit 7-Gang-Rücktritt15.00 €
per person and dayUnisex-Elektrorad mit 7-Gang-Rücktritt30.00 €
per person and dayTachometer (nach freier Verfügbarkeit)0.00 €
per person - Experience packagesPriceFlexPLUS39.00 € (DZ), 39.00 € (EZ)
per personZusatznacht Pretzsch (inkl. Gepäcktransport)90.00 € (DZ), 120.00 € (EZ)
per personZusatznacht Barby (inkl. Gepäcktransport)90.00 € (DZ), 120.00 € (EZ)
per personZusatznacht Bertingen (inkl. Gepäcktransport)110.00 € (DZ), 140.00 € (EZ)
per person

As always...
5% Early Bird Discount
on all active holidays
until 29/02/2024 (upon the basic package price)