Elbe Cycle Path: Dresden radial tour

Discover art and culture

Look forward to great buildings such as the Frauenkirche, the Semperoper and the Zwinger. Discover a city full of art, music and theater. On this radial tour you will get to know Dresden in detail but also the wonderful surrounding area. Follow the Elbe cycle path to the Blue Wonder (“Blaues Wunder”) and Pillnitz Castle, to Radebeul, the Moritzburg water- castle and Meißen with its famous porcelain factory that is well worth seeing. Discover the natural beauties of Saxon Switzerland on a worthwhile excursion with the S-Bahn. This mountain country with magnificent rock formations such as the bastion, the delightful interplay of vineyards and meadows as well as the wide landscape with small lakes, forests and large fields create an exciting cycling week. Many cultural treasures and museums are also waiting for your visit.

Your hotel category B: Best Western Macrander Hotel Dresden

The modern 4-star hotel Best Western Macrander Dresden offers a personal atmosphere. The pulsating Neustadt is within walking distance (1.5 km to the Neustadt train station). The house has 85 air-conditioned, brightly furnished rooms with TV, WiFi, coffee and tea bar. Use of the body & soul bathing area 20 meters away is included.

Best Western Macrander

Your hotel category A: Hotel Elbflorenz

The privately run 4-star hotel is located in a quiet, central location in the middle of the old town. The house offers 214 comfortably furnished rooms, most of which face the green inner courtyard. The Hotel Elbflorenz has two restaurants, a spacious lobby bar and a directly connected underground car park. Sauna and fitness area are also available.

Hotel Elbflorenz

Your hotel category Charme: Maritim Dresden

The elegant 4-star hotel awaits you directly on the banks of the Elbe between the Semperoper and the International Congress Center. It impresses with 328 large, stylish rooms in the "Erlweinspeicher" building, which is under monument protection. The spacious wellness area with pool and Finnish sauna allows you to relax after an eventful bike tour. The old town with the famous Frauenkirche and the Zwinger is only a 10-minute walk away.

Maritim Dresden

1. day Arrival in Dresden

Travel to Dresden early, because world-famous buildings such as the Zwinger or the Semper opera house attract thousands of people to the former royal seat of the Saxon kings every year. You can also look forward to the reconstructed Frauenkirche and the Brühl's terraces, which offer a wonderful view of the Elbe. In the afternoon, there will be an information meeting and handover of the bike. Then stroll through Dresden's old town and end your first day with a cozy dinner (included.

2. day Pirna and Pillnitz castle, approx. 50 km

On the Elbe cycle path, you go past the Brühl Terraces to Pillnitz- the castle of the kings of Saxony and Poland with one of the oldest palm houses in the world and an enchanting castle park. Marvel at the magnificent palace complex, it is an extraordinary ensemble of architecture and garden design, inserted into the river landscape in front of the vineyards of the Elbe valley. After a worthwhile break you cycle on the Elbe cycle path to Pirna. The charming historic old town with its magnificent town houses is evidence of a once flourishing trading town. Stroll through the market square, which is well worth seeing, visit the Marien church and discover the many small details such as richly decorated gables and ornate bay windows. Every Monday, Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. you can also take part in a city tour in Pirna (subject to change).

3. day Radebeul and Moritzburg, approx. 45 km

Twisted paths through romantic valleys lead you to the Karl May-city Radebeul. All fans of the famous writer and his works are offered an impressive insight into the world of the Native Americans in the Karl May Museum. You can then look forward to a ride on the Loessnitz valley railway to Moritzburg, where you will visit the famous water- castle. You then cycle comfortably back to Dresden through the Friedewald nature reserve and Moritzburg pond area.

4. day Dresden city tour

On a city tour you can explore the beautiful suburbs of Dresden as well: castles, Pfund's dairy, the Blaues Wunder (Blue Wonder) and the transparent factory (VW car factory) are just a few of the highlights. It's great that you have a lot of time for this wonderful city today. World famous buildings such as the Zwinger, the Semperoper, the Frauenkirche, as well as the Fürstenzug - the longest porcelain picture in the world - and the Brühlsche Terrasse, popularly known as the "Balcony of Europe", are waiting for your visit.

5. day Elbe cycle path to Meißen, approx. 25 km + boat

Today you cycle to nearby Meißen. Look forward to the city that is over a thousand years old. In addition to the first European porcelain factory, you can look forward to a historical city backdrop, in which the touch of the past can still be felt today. In addition to the precious porcelain with the blue swords created by Böttger, you should also visit the beautiful Meißen cathedral with its melodic porcelain chimes and the Albrechtsburg Castle, which can be seen from afar. Take a leisurely break on the imposing market with town houses from the Renaissance period and the historic town hall, before you take a relaxing boat trip back to Dresden on the Elbe in the afternoon.

6. day Saxon Switzerland, approx. 20 - 40 km

A wonderful bike route and many possibilities await you today, because after a short S-Bahn ride you have reached Bad Schandau and the imposing Saxon Switzerland. Take a bike excursion along the Elbe Cycle Path to Rathen and Königstein, where interesting sights await you. Park your bike in Rathen and walk up to the bastion, because from this rock formation you have a magnificent view over the Elbe and Saxon Switzerland. You can also enjoy impressive views from Königstein Fortress, one of the largest mountain fortresses in Europe. But you can also take a cycling tour through the idyllic Kirnitzsch valley with its pretty villages and its bizarre stone formations, as it is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Whatever you decide, it will certainly be a very eventful day.

7. day Dresden departure

You have got to know the Saxon capital Dresden and its surroundings well on this radial tour, but there is much more to discover here. We would be happy to book additional nights in your hotel for you on request.

Worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the radial bike tour Dresden and surroundings. If you have further questions about this trip, please contact us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Dresden is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. You can find information on timetables and prices at:

train information

Parking at the hotel

Cat. Charme

The Maritim Hotel Dresden has underground parking spaces, payable on site. No reservation in advance possible (approx. 16,00 €/ night, from 5 nights 14,00 € / night).

Cat. A

The Hotel Elbflorenz offers some free parking spaces in front of the hotel (subject to availability). Alternatively, public parking spaces are available in the side streets for approx. 6,00 € / day or underground garages for approx. 12,00 € / day.

Cat.B

Hotel parking is available at the Best Western Macrander for a fee, approx. 7,00 € / day, no reservation possible.

Condition of cycle paths

Most of the time you cycle on flat to slightly hilly terrain along the Elbe cycle path. Some sections of the route lead over smaller country roads and paths with little traffic.

Available rental bikes

You can choose from 7-speed unisex bikes with coaster brakes or 21-speed derailleur gears and free-wheeling. All unisex bikes are available in different frame sizes. Furthermore, men's bikes (from 185cm) and 8-speed e-bikes with coaster brakes are available on request. Simply state your bike requirements when booking.

Extra costs which are not inculded

A possibly applicable city tax is not included and has to be paid at the hotel locally.

7 days hotline service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

Information on current decisions of the German Federal Government can be found here:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/corona-these-rules-and-restrictions-apply

Current information on entry requirements to Germany can be found here:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Semperoper

Dresden's opera tradition goes back to the Renaissance. It was initially closely associated with the electoral court, which used various venues. In 1838 the architect Gottfried Semper was commissioned to build a representative opera house on the theatre square, which, however, burned down in 1869. The second building was built between 1871 and 1878 under the direction of Semper's son Manfred in the style of the Italian Renaissance.

After its destruction in the Second World War, the opera was rebuilt between 1977 and 1985 in a true-to-original form and received its artistic decoration and ornamentation back.

Semperoper

Zwinger

Dresden's most beautiful baroque building is located in the center of the old town. It is one of the most important late baroque buildings in Europe. The crown gate with the gilded hood has become one of Dresden's landmarks. The name "Zwinger" comes from the original location between the outer and inner fortress walls.

The complex presents itself today with its wide inner courtyard, the various pavilions, the arched galleries and the gallery building as a harmonious unit.

Zwinger

Frauenkirche

Since October 30, 2005, the Dresden Frauenkirche has once again dominated the Dresden city panorama. The reconstruction of the Frauenkirche is an impressive symbol of international reconciliation after the Second World War. Dare to climb the dome to be rewarded with a fantastic view over the city (approx. 8,00 € payable on site).

Frauenkirche

Pillnitz castle

The Pillnitz castle with its large park combines Baroque and Far Eastern architecture and is considered a model of the Chinoiserie. In summer, the three palaces open their doors to guests. Here you can explore the arts and crafts museum and the castle museum with the court kitchen, dome hall and chapel.

Pillnitz castle

Radebeul

Radebeul, the heart of the Saxon wine route, nestles impressively against the vineyards of the Lößnitz and extends all the way to the meadows of the Elbe. The cityscape is characterized by lush greenery, architecture worth seeing, art, culture and enjoyable charm. A visit to the Hoflößnitz winery museum is a must for wine lovers, as is the Wackerbarth castle, where the term "enjoyment" is redefined for you.

Radebeul

Moritzburg castle

In the middle of the Friedewald forest, rich in game, Duke Moritz von Sachsen had a hunting lodge built on a granite dome from 1542 to 1546, which has always been one of the most popular hunting trips of the Saxon electors and kings. The palace chapel from the second half of the 17th century is one of the most impressive early baroque buildings in Saxony.

Moritzburg castle

Meißen porcelain Manufactory

The Meissen porcelain Manufactory was founded in 1710 in the Albrechtsburg in Meißen as the first institution of its kind in Europe. Between 1863 and 1865, the company was relocated to the newly built production facility in Meißen-Triebischtal.

Meißen porcelain Manufactory

Albrechtsburg castle Meißen

The late Gothic Albrechtsburg rises high above the picturesque Elbe valley on a rock spur on the left bank of the Elbe. It is considered to be the first palace built in German history.

Albrechtsburg castle

Cathedral Meißen

With its striking towers, the Meissen Cathedral shapes the unmistakable silhouette of the city. Construction of the purely Gothic structure began in 1250. It was completed around 1400.

Cathedral, Meissen

Saxon Switzerland

Sandstone needles and bizarre rock formations, primeval beech forests and deeply cut torrents have been protected as a national park since 1990. Together with a protected landscape of wide flat areas with forests, meadows and fields, majestic table mountains and the meandering Elbe, it forms the national park region of Saxon Switzerland.

Saxon Switzerland