2025
Radtour an der Elbe durch Sachsen

Bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony

Enjoy cycling and culture between Dresden and Magdeburg

Dresden Wittenberg Magdeburg

  • Saxon Switzerland and Elbe Sandstone Mountains
  • Dresden, Meissen (City of Porcelain)
  • Wittenberg, Dessau-Wörlitz Park
  • Daily routes ●●●●●, altitude profile ●○○○○

Days
9

Ø km per day
50

There are reasons why the Elbe Cycle Path is one of Europe´s most beautiful cycle tracks. On our bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony you will experience a mixture of relaxed city life and amazing landscapes. So you will discover the medieval aura of Meissen (famous for its porcelain) as well as Dresden´s outstanding baroque architecture. On your way you will be passing by small villages and mighty rock formations. Quite often, you will come
across famous names such as Martin Luther, Karl May or Walter Gropius. The daily legs of our our bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony are easy to handle, and in many cases you can even take a short cut.

 

 

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    NO-ELDM8
  • Accommodation level
    Category B: national 2* / 3* level
    Category A: national 3* / 4* level
  • Duration
    9 days, 8 nights
  • Arrival Days
    Daily except on Wednesday
  • Travel documents languages
    German, English, French
  • Print version PDF
    incl. hotel examples
  • Parking information
    Category B: hotel parking garage, costs approx. 10 € / day, payable on site. Also free parking near the hotel.
    Category A: hotel parking garage, costs approx. 24 € / night, payable on site.
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Return to Dresden
    Optional by minibus every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in the morning, duration approx. 2 hours, must be specified when booking.
    The transfer can be arranged before your bike tour. Please note this request in the free text field of your booking form.
    Alternatively by train on your won, connections every hour, duration approx. 3 hours, direct connections or 1 x change.
Map for the bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony

Day 1: Individual arrival in Dresden

Your bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony begins in the beautiful city of Dresden. The city center looks like a large museum. Discover the famous Zwinger, the Green Vault, the Frauenkirche and much more. The historic old town with its old- time splendor perfectly complements the modernity of the lively new town. There are pretty stores and inviting restaurants where you can observe the hustle and bustle of the streets. There really is a lot to discover in Dresden - enjoy!

The Semperoper in Dresden

The Semperoper in Dresden

Day 2: Excursion Bad Schandau, approx. 45 km + train ride or approx. 90 km

First you cycle along the Elbe river to the baroque Pillnitz Palace with its magnificent park. It once served as the summer residence of Saxon's royal family. The cycle tour continues uphill to the rugged sandstone cliffs of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Don't miss to climb up the most famous rock formation in Saxon Switzerland, the Bastei Rock. You will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the Elbe. You can either return from Bad Schandau to Dresden by bike or by train (not included). Look forward to another evening in Dresden.

Pillnitz Castle

Pillnitz Castle

Day 3: Dresden – Meißen, approx. 25 km

Leaving Dresden, you cycle along vineyards through the romantic Elbe river valley. You soon reach the charming town of Radebeul. It is considered the heart of the Saxon's Wine Route as it looks back on a 400-year tradition of wine production. The author Karl May used to live here. Fans of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand should visit the Karl May Museum. 
The town of Meissen is just 15 kilometers away. Its porcelain trademarked with white gold and the blue swords, made Meissen world famous. The city also features the imposing late Gothic Albrechtsburg Castle and the Frauenkirche church located at its market square.

 

The Albrechtsburg in Meissen

The Albrechtsburg in Meissen

Day 4: Meißen – Riesa, approx. 35 km

On the banks of the Elbe, today's route of your bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony takes you along the Saxon Wine Route. Along the way, you will always have the opportunity to taste the regional wines. In the small, idyllic Elbe wine village of Diesbar-Seußlitz, wine tasting and culture can be perfectly combined. The baroque castle complex with its romantic church is nestled in a playful park. You continue along the Elbe cycle path and soon reach the sports town of Riesa. The nickname is based on Riesa's long history dating back to the 19th century.

 

The castle in Diesbar-Seußlitz

The castle in Diesbar-Seußlitz

Day 5: Riesa – Torgau, approx. 45 km

On your bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony, you cycle downstream to the Elbe town of Mühlberg. The town has an impressive old town. It features a Cistercian monastery dating back to the 13th century its provostry. Just a few kilometers out of the way, the Treblitzsch Landscape Park displaying trees and shrubs from five continents is well worth a detour. Back on the bike, the route continues to Torgau. The former capital of the Electorate of Saxony is considered the most well preserved Renaissance town of Germany. The reformer Martin Luther was associated with Torgau and many traces still lead towards him.

Torgau

Torgau

Day 6: Torgau – Wittenberg, approx. 65 km

Visit the most striking building in Torgau, Hartenfels Castle, before setting you leave the city. On the way, you have the opportunity to visit the Lichtenberg and Pretzsch castles. Wittenberg is intrinsically linked with Martin Luther and the Reformation more than any other town. In the historic alleyways, you will immerse yourself in a time when the medieval world order underwent a profound change. It  feels like an open-air museum. At the Luther House you will encounter the world's largest collection of Reformation history.

 

Hartenfels Castle

Hartenfels Castle

Day 7: Wittenberg – Dessau, approx. 30 km

You cycle further along the Elbe river do not forget to take a break along the way. The Dessau-Wörlitz Garden is a work of art which combines garden design and architecture in perfect harmony. Take a gondola ride and a walk through the historic 18th-century park landscape. It offers an arrangement of sculptures, trees, bridges and bodies of water. In Dessau, you will meet one of the great minds of architectural history: Walter Gropius. He erected several Bauhaus buildings here in the mid-1920s. His style is unmistakable and functional.

 

The Bauhaus in Dessau

The Bauhaus in Dessau

Day 8: Dessau – Magdeburg, approx. 85 km

The last stage of your bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony takes you through Elbe meadows and a biosphere reserve. You will alos pass the former salt town of Schönebeck. Germany's first saltwater spa opened in the district of Bad Salzelmen in 1802. Finally, you reach the so-called Ottostadt, Magdeburg. Its eventful past is reflected in the numerous sights of the Elbe metropolis. The towering cathedral is one of the largest sacred buildings in Germany. The artist Hundertwasser created his Green Citadel in Magdeburg. The city is the crowning glory and successful conclusion to a varied bike tour.

The Palais am Fürstenwall in Magdeburg

The Palais am Fürstenwall in Magdeburg

Day 9: Individual departure

After breakfast, your bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony ends. We are happy to extend your stay in Magdeburg or Dresden with an extra night.

Farewell to Magdeburg

Farewell to Magdeburg

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and Prices 2025

Arrival daily from 12.04.2025 to 04.10.2025Early booking discount: -20 €

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.
Show more Show less

Kategorie B

Saison A
12.04. - 02.05.
28.09. - 04.10.
from789 €
Saison B
03.05. - 20.05.
24.08. - 27.09.
from829 €
Saison C
21.05. - 23.08.

from879 €

Kategorie A

Saison A
12.04. - 02.05.
28.09. - 04.10.
from839 €
Saison B
03.05. - 20.05.
24.08. - 27.09.
from889 €
Saison C
21.05. - 23.08.

from919 €

All prices per person in a double room

Show more Show less

Services

  • 8 nights with breakfast, national 2* / 3* level, category B (NO-ELDM8b)
  • 8 nights with breakfast, national 3* / 4* level, category A (NO-ELDM8a)
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel to Magdeburg, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service‐Hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Show more Show less

Not included:

  • Train ride Bad Schandau - Dresden, approx. 11 € / person excl. bike
  • City or visitor's tax (if payable)
Show more Show less

Children's discount

discount-icon discount-icon-joystick

From 15 to 17 years

-10%

All prices are per person

Due to the more demanding stages, we only recommend this trip for young people with good stamina.

Show more Show less

Additional services

Additional bookable services

Kategorie B
Kategorie A

Additional fee single room

269 €

289 €

Return transfer incl. own bike, Magdeburg – Dresden

149 €

Return transfer excl. own bike, Magdeburg – Dresden

115 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Kategorie B
Kategorie A
Dresden
 DBL

59 €

69 €

 SGL

95 €

105 €

Magdeburg
 DBL

59 €

65 €

 SGL

105 €

All prices are per person

Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
109 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
289 €
30-gear rental bike
30-Gear Rental Bike
179 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 21-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1,85 m)
  • 30-gear trapezoid, sporty bike
  • E-bike / pedelec
Features

Pannier, handlebar bag, mileometer, bike lock, air pump, repair kit

Show more Show less

21- gear rental bike

109 €

30-gear sporty bike

179 €

E-bike

289 €

All prices are per person

Route profile

  • Booking code
    NO-ELDM8
  • Start / Destination
    Dresden / Magdeburg
  • Duration
    9 days, 8 nights
  • Length
    approx. 330 / 375 km
    Daily routes ●●●●●
    between 25 and 85 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile ●○○○○
    between 50 and 230m, Ø 130 m elevation gain
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    The trip is only conditionally suitable for people with limited mobility.
    Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding your individual needs.

Days
9

Ø km per day
50