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Highlights
Follow the Elbe Rive on bike from Hamburg to Dresden
Cycle through vineyards, floodplains, and protected nature reserves full of wildlife.
Overnight in picturesque transitional round villages in the countryside, soaking up the local atmosphere.
See traditional architecture and modern innovations in Dessau and Magdeburg.
Admire the impressive sights in the vibrant cities of Hamburg and Dresden.
Discover the myriad of sights along the Elbe Cycle Path, a biking route along the beautiful Elbe River that meanders through modern cities and rolling countryside. The Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour is great for long-distance cyclists who enjoy covering 100km or more per day.
You'll ride from the beautiful bridges and canals of Hamburg through the charming small towns of Hitzacker, Tangermünde, and Magdeburg, past historic castles and cathedrals. Finish your tour in the vibrant city of Dresden, renowned for its artistry and architectural style. Challenge yourself to a journey of 640km through Germany's gorgeous countryside!
Discover the myriad of sights along the Elbe Cycle Path, a biking route along the beautiful Elbe River that meanders through modern cities and rolling countryside. The Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour is great for long-distance cyclists who enjoy covering 100km or more per day.
You'll ride from the beautiful bridges and canals of Hamburg through the charming small towns of Hitzacker, Tangermünde, and Magdeburg, past historic castles and cathedrals. Finish your tour in the vibrant city of Dresden, renowned for its artistry and architectural style. Challenge yourself to a journey of 640km through Germany's gorgeous countryside!
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Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Hamburg
The beautiful port city of Hamburg has rivers, canals and bridges to rival Venice, and many important attractions. After your arrival check in to your hotel and pick up your welcome package which has all the information and maps for your biking holiday.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hamburg
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Hamburg to Hitzacker
It’s time to saddle up and hit the road. Your biking holiday kicks off today with a ride along the riverside through the unique circular villages known as “rundling.” Your destination today is the charming town of Hitzacker, where you can explore the cobblestoned squares and colourful old-fashioned half-timber houses.
Overnight Location:
Distance: 110km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hitzacker to Havelberg
Enjoying the quiet scenery of the idyllic countryside, pass small villages until you begin to approach Wittenberge, with its towers rising in the distance.
When you reach Havelberg, the traditional round village where you’ll stay for the night, be sure to visit the town’s lovely Romanesque church.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Havelberg
Distance: 116km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Havelberg to Magdeburg
After breakfast, cycle towards the historic town of Tangermünde with its imposing red brick walls. From here, pass the technological marvel of the Waterway Junction, a canal bridge for ships.
Once in Magdeburg, enjoy some free time visiting the old market square.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Magdeburg
Distance: 130km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Magdeburg to Dessau
Today’s route takes you through the protected Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, a refuge for many species of rare birds. When you arrive in Dessau, take some time to appreciate its interesting character, with a mix of traditional architecture and modern Bauhaus style.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dessau
Distance: 78km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Dessau to Torgau
Continuing along the peaceful riverside path, you’ll pass Dessau’s famous Wörlitz Park and Gardens, a World Heritage Site recognized for its exceptional landscaping.
End your ride at the renaissance town of Torgau, known for its palatial Protestant church and the Hartenfels Castle, overlooking the Elbe River.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Torgau
Distance: 105km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Torgau to Dresden
Passing through the Elbe River’s vineyards and wineries, you may be tempted to stop and buy a bottle of local wine. Don’t fight temptation!
You’ll finish today’s ride in the city of Dresden, chock-full of incredible sites to visit. From riverside palaces to opulent Baroque churches, Dresden is dazzling. You’ll be ending your trip on a high note in one of Germany’s most beautiful cities.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dresde
Distance: 106km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure from Dresden
Though your cycling adventure comes to an end today, you are welcome to add on additional nights in Dresden to extend the fun! Otherwise, safe travels home!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures The departures are available every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, from April to October.
- Single room: from EUR1309*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR1039*
Accommodation on the Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour
This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. Hotels and guesthouses on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. The required supplement for solo travellers or single rooms is included in the listed price.
What’s Included in the Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour can be added as a supplement. Tour participants can also extend their stay at any of the overnight locations along the tour route.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage from hotel to hotel is included throughout the tour.
Also Included
- 1 package with maps and information per room (in English)
- Service hotline during the walking tour
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Rental bicycles or e-bikes
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Entrance fees to attractions
Optional Extras
- Bike and biking equipment rental:
- Touring bike
- E-Bike
- Speedometer
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Transfer service for participants, their luggage, and their bicycles back to the starting point of the tour
- How hard is the Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour?
- Can I rent a bike?
- What do the rental bikes come with?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Where do I pick up/drop off the rental bike?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Where do I park my bike at the end of the day?
- Can I bike in the other direction, from Dresden to Hamburg?
- Are meals included on the Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Hamburg to start this tour?
- Where does the Hamburg to Dresden in a Week by Bike Tour end?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Germany?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Germany?
- When is the best time to travel to Germany for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 5/5. Though Elbe Cycle Path is fairly flat, this tour does require participants to be fit enough to bike anywhere from 80km to 130km per day for 6 consecutive days. You should be comfortable with high-mileage cycling to get the most out of this tour.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are standard touring bikes or electric pedal-assist bikes.
All rental bicycles are supplied with the following accessories: one cable lock with key and one waterproof pannier per bicycle, one map holder and complete tool kit per room (tool kit: inner tube, pump, puncture repair kit, tire levers, cleaning cloth, allen key). Speedometers can be rented for 5 EUR per day.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
The rental bikes will be delivered to your hotel at 8 am on Day 1. The bike will be picked up from the last hotel when the tour finishes.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a road bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Every hotel and guesthouse along the route provides safe and secure bicycle parking.
Yes, this tour can be done in the opposite direction. Ask us about this option if you’d prefer it.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Hamburg Airport (HAM) to begin this tour. You will need to arrange transport to your hotel.
The tour ends in Dresden when you check out of your hotel. You can fly out of Dresden Airport (DRS) or take a train back to Hamburg.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Germany for this tour is from May to September when the weather tends to be warm and mostly clear.
Customer Ratings
AugustusTours is an established tour operator in Dresden which is well known for its customized tours for both groups and individual travellers. As an experienced incoming operator, we do not only organize city and cultural tours to the capital of Saxony and the picturesque surroundings including the enchanting vineyards of the Elbe valley. Besides classical city tour programmes, we also offer trips to the sights of the region.
