2026
Elbe-Radtour von Dresden nach Dessau

Cycle tour along the river Elbe

The classic route from Dresden to Dessau

Dresden – Meißen – Riesa – Dessau

  • Elbe Sandstone Mountains, the porcelain town of Meissen, Saxon Wine Road and the Semperoper
  • Daily routes ●●●○○, altitude profilee ●○○○○
  • Bestseller!

Days
8

Ø km per day
45

This stretch forms the heart of the Elbe cycle path. On this tour you will cycle through the almost untouched landscapes of the Elbe floodplains and the impressive Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Famous cities such as Dessau, Wittenberg, Meißen and Dresden and the omnipresent legacy of Martin Luther are part of the cultural offering. Dreamy baroque castles and Renaissance gardens will take you back in history. The countless reaction ferries are a true peculiarity – these cable ferries have no motor, but use the reaction of the current against a fixed tether to propel themselves across the river.

 

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    NO-ELDD7
  • Accommodation level
    Category B: national 2* / 3* level (NO-ELDD7b)
    Category A: national 3* / 4*- level (NO-ELDD7a)
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Arrival days
    Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • Travel documents languages
    German, English, French
  • Print version PDF
    Incl. hotel examples
  • Parking information
    Category B: Parking in garage of the hotel. Cost: approx. 16 € / day,
    no reservation necessary, payable on site. Free-of-charge parking nearby the hotel available.
    Category A: Underground parking at the start hotel. Cost: 24 € / day,
    no reservation necessary, payable on site. 
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Return to Dresden
    Optional return journey by minibus every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, duration approx. 2 hours, must be specified when booking.
    Alternatively on your own by train, connections: hourly, duration: approx. 3 - 4 hours, 1 change of trains.
Cycle tour along the river Elbe

Day 1: Individual arrival in Dresden

Your our bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony starts in Dresden. In fact, its city center appears like a huge museum. You can discover a lot of sights like the Dresden Zwinger, the Historic Green Vault, the Church of Our Lady and many more. The splendid historical old town combines perfectly with the new part of town where you can find nice boutiques and restaurants. Dresden really has a lot to offer – enjoy it!

Dresden

Brühlsche Terrace in Dresden

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

First you will be riding along the River Elbe to the Baroque Castle of Pillnitz. In former times it served as summer residence for the Royal Family of Saxony. Then you will continue upriver to the Elbe Mountain Range. From the famous Bastei Cliff you will have an amazing view over the Elbe Mountain Range and the River Elbe. For the way back from Bad Schandau to Dresden you can choose between cycling and train (not included). Look forward to enjoying another night in Dresden.

Bastei Bridge Saxon Switzerland

Bastei Bridge Saxon Switzerland

Day 3: Dresden – Meißen, approx. 25 km

Today you will leave Dresden, cycling along vineyards and through the romantic Elbe Valley. Soon you will reach Radebeul. The 400-year-old town can look back on a long tradition of wine-growing and it´s the birth place of Karl May. We recommend to visit the Karl May Museum which is dedicated to Winnetou and Old Shaterhand. In Meissen, renowned for its famous porcelain, you should visit Albrechtsburg and the Market with the Frauenkirche.

 

Moritzburg Castle

Moritzburg Castle

Day 4: Meißen – Riesa, approx. 35 km

Today´s leg of your our bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony leads you along the Saxony Winestreet. On your way you will have several opportunities to try the local wines. The Baroque Castle in Diesbar-Seusslitz with its church is embedded in a beautiful park. Further you will be riding on the Elbe Cycle Path to Riesa, also known as the City of Sports.

 

Diesbar Seußlitz

Diesbar Seußlitz

Day 5: Riesa – Torgau, approx. 45 km

On your our bike tour along the Elbe through Saxony you will be cycling downriver to the small town of Mühlberg. With its amazing old town and the 13th century convent it´s really worth a visit. Just a few kilometres away we recommend to see Treblitzsch Landscape Park with a large variety of trees and shrubs from five continents. Afterwards you will be cycling to Torgau, Germany´s best preserved Renaissance town. In Torgau you will find many traces of Martin Luther, too.

Riesa

Riesa

Day 6: Torgau – Wittenberg, approx. 65 km

Before starting today´s leg, you should visit the landmark of Torgau, Castle Hartenfels. On your way you will also have the chance to see the Castles of Lichtenberg and Pretzsch. You will finally arrive in Wittenberg which is very much connected to Martin Luther and the Reformation. In the small streets you will feel the spirit of the past, and in the Lutherhaus you can explore the world´s largest collection related to the history of Reformation.

 

Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Day 7: Wittenberg – Dessau, approx. 30 km

Today you will continue cycling downriver. You should allow for a short break in-between, e. g. in the Dessau-Wörlitz Park – a real piece of art that perfectly combines gardening and architecture. In Dessau you will meet one of the world´s major architects: Walter Gropius who in the 1920´s built some Bauhaus buildings with those typical functional stylistic elements.

 

Dessau Residential Palace

Dessau Residential Palace

Day 8: Individual departure

After breakfast you start your individual return journey home or extend your stay.

Mosigkau Dessau

Mosigkau Dessau

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and prices 2026

Arrival on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 17.04.2026 to 04.10.2026Early booking discount: -20 €

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

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Category B

Season A
17.04. - 03.05.
25.09. - 04.10.
from719 €
Season B
08.05. - 14.06.
28.08. - 20.09.
from769 €
Season C
19.06. - 23.08.

from819 €

Category A

Season A
17.04. - 03.05.
25.09. - 04.10.
from769 €
Season B
08.05. - 14.06.
28.08. - 20.09.
from829 €
Season C
19.06. - 23.08.

from879 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 2* / 3* level,
    Category B (NO-ELDD7b)
  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 3* / 4* level,
    Category A (NO-ELDD7a)
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel as far as Dessau, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Digital travel documents and route navigation via app
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
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Not included:

  • Light rail (S-Bahn) journey Bad Schandau – Dresden, approx. 11 Euro per person excl. bike
  • Citys or visitors tax, if payable
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Children discounts

discount-icon discount-icon-baby

From 0 to 5 years

-100%

discount-icon discount-icon-lego

From 6 to 11 years

-50%

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 12 to 14 years

-25%

discount-icon discount-icon-joystick

From 15 to 17 years

-10%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

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Additional services

Category B
Category A

Additional fee single room

239 €

259 €

Return transfer incl. own bike, Dessau – Dresden

155 €

Return transfer excl. own bike, Dessau – Dresden

105 €

Travel document package (1 x per room)

20 €

All prices are per person
Additional nights
Room
Breakfast
Category B
Category A
Dessau
 DBL

69 €

75 €

 SGL

109 €

115 €

Dresden
 DBL

59 €

79 €

 SGL

95 €

115 €

All prices are per person

Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
99 €
30-Gear Rental Bike
30-Gear Rental Bike
178 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
289 €

Rental bike types

  • 7-gear unisex bike, hub gears with backpedal
  • 21-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.85 m)
  • 30-gear trapezoidal bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
  • Electric bike / pedelec
Fittings

Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit (1 x per room)

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Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Dresden / Dessau
  • Length
    approx. 245 - 290 km
    Daily  routes ●●●○○
    between 25 and 90 km, Ø 45 km
    Altitude profile ●○○○○
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    The tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Cycle tour along the river Elbe

Days
8

Ø km per day
45