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Highlights
Cycle beautiful Saxony on the Elbe Cycle Path from Dresden to Magdeburg
Ride from Dresden through the Saxon Wine Route to Meissen
Visit historic old towns, castles and churches in Torgau and Wittenberg
Admire the stunning landscaping in the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz
Gaze up at the towering Gothic arches of the Magdeburg Cathedral
The Elbe River Cycle Path is a great choice for anyone that wants a great bike ride and lots of car-free cycle paths. This self-guided cycling tour on the Elbe River Cycle Path starts in the palatial opulence of Dresden and rides through the quiet rolling vineyards that dot the Elbe River. The Dresden to Magdeburg Biking Tour reveals Saxony's natural beauty, historic landmarks and charming small towns.
During your self-guided bike tour you'll make stops in Meissen, Torgau and Lutherstadt Wittenberg, exploring the famed Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz in Dessau. Complete your 8-day self-guided cycling tour in Magdeburg, which is known for its impressive cathedral and monastery.
Embark on an unforgettable 290km journey along the Elbe Cycle Path and see its outstanding landscapes and old towns.
The Elbe River Cycle Path is a great choice for anyone that wants a great bike ride and lots of car-free cycle paths. This self-guided cycling tour on the Elbe River Cycle Path starts in the palatial opulence of Dresden and rides through the quiet rolling vineyards that dot the Elbe River. The Dresden to Magdeburg Biking Tour reveals Saxony's natural beauty, historic landmarks and charming small towns.
During your self-guided bike tour you'll make stops in Meissen, Torgau and Lutherstadt Wittenberg, exploring the famed Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz in Dessau. Complete your 8-day self-guided cycling tour in Magdeburg, which is known for its impressive cathedral and monastery.
Embark on an unforgettable 290km journey along the Elbe Cycle Path and see its outstanding landscapes and old towns.
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Dresden to Magdeburg Biking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Dresden
Dresden has no shortage of impressive sights, like the extravagant Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera House, and Frauenkirche Square.
After checking in to your hotel, be sure to read the welcome package with maps and info about your riding route.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dresden
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Dresden to Meissen
It’s time to start riding! Bid farewell to Dresden and ride along the Elbe Cycle Path to reach the wine region of Radebeul. As you continue towards Meissen you’re sure to see beautiful Albrechtsburg Castle and cathedral sitting proudly in the hills.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Meissen
Distance: 28km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Savoring the Elve River Cycle Path
The riverside path continues as you cycle the Elbe River Cycle Path riding past wineries and small vineyards towards the city of Riesa. You can either stop here or ride further to Strehla, a small rural town with a very peaceful atmosphere.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Riesa/Strehla
Distance: 28-36km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Cycle past Castles to Torgau
Today you’ll set out for Torgau. Torgau is a well-known Renaissance town with the impressive Hartenfels Castle, which is the site of Germany’s first Protestant church. While in Torgau, take time to wander around the old town square and see the cruise ships passing by in the river.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Torgau
Distance: 40-48km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Ride Through Charming Towns to Wittenberg
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is a small but charming old town best known as the birthplace of Germany’s Reformation movement under the influence of Martin Luther.
If today’s ride of 68km is too long, you can add in a night in Pretzsch and ride to Wittenberg the following day.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Wittenberg
Distance: 68km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Cycle to Dessau
Leaving Wittenberg behind, cycle through verdant meadows towards Dessau, home of the perfectly-landscaped Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz.
Once you reach Dessau you’ll see the iconic Bauhaus-style buildings.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dessau
Distance: 40km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Final Day on the Elbe River Cycle Path to Magdeburg
Your final leg of the journey takes you through a protected biosphere where bird colonies thrive. Once in Magdeburg, you can visit the famous Magdeburg Cathedral, the oldest Gothic cathedral in Germany. Then, be sure to stop by the impressive monastery. This stage can be divided by an overnight stop in Barby (results in approx. 40 km/42 km).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Magdeburg
Distance: 84km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure from Magdeburg
Congratulations, you’ve finished your ride on the Elbe River Cycle Path and you’ve made it to Magdeburg!
Though your biking adventure is now complete, you are welcome to add on another night or two to have some more fun.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2026 Pricing for Self-Guided Cycling Tour from Dresden to Magdeburg on the Elbe River Cycle Path The departures are available daily, from April to October, 2026. This tour can be customized for you, and prices depend on group size, room types, trip customizations, and date of travel. The starting price for two people sharing a double or twin room is EUR745 per person, and standard bike rental is from EUR99, with E-Bikes available from EUR299. Enquire now to start building your perfect adventure for 2026!
Accommodation on the Dresden to Magdeburg Biking Tour
This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. Hotels are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant and are located close to the bike path. You can upgrade to 4-star hotels that are closer to city centres; please let us know if you are interested in upgrading.
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. If you are a solo traveller or you prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed price.
What’s Included in the Dresden to Magdeburg Biking 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
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Entrance fees to attractions
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Bike and biking equipment rental:
- Touring bike
- E-Bike
- Speedometer
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Transfer service for participants, their luggage and their bicycles back to the starting point of the tour
- Upgrade to centrally-located 3-4-star hotels
- How hard is the Dresden to Magdeburg Biking 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 Magdeburg to Dresden?
- Are meals included on the Dresden to Magdeburg Biking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Dresden to start this tour?
- Where does the Dresden to Magdeburg Biking 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 3/5. The Elbe Cycle Path is fairly flat with little change in altitude, and the majority of the path is paved and well maintained. Participants should be fit enough to bike anywhere from 30km to 80km per day.
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 a 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.
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’re interested in it.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover biking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS) and transfer to your hotel to begin this tour.
The tour ends in Magdeburg when you check out of your hotel. The nearest airports are Leipzig Airport (LEJ), Berlin Airport (BER) and Hanover Airport (HAJ). We would also be happy to arrange transportation for you back to Dresden if that’s easier.
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 Saxony for this biking 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.
