Elbe: Magdeburg - Hamburg

Arrive early, it's worth it! Marvel at the impressive Magdeburg Cathedral, Germany's oldest Gothic building and burial place of the first German emperor, Otto I, or at the green Citadel of Magdeburg opposite, Hundertwasser's largest single building.

In Hohenwarte, at the European waterway junction, you will cross the Elbe-Havel Canal. On quiet roads, you will soon reach Burg. Numerous towers and churches invite you to take a stroll through the town. Then continue your journey through small villages along the Elbe. Take a detour to Jerichow with its Romanesque monastery. Your destination for today is Tangermünde. There you will find historic half-timbered and brick buildings, the medieval castle and the mouth of the Tanger River where it flows into the Elbe. Spend your evening in the alleys of the medieval-looking old town.

After leaving Tangermünde, you will cycle through idyllic villages and the Alte Elbe nature reserve, making for a relaxing day of cycling. Your stage will first take you to Storkau Castle and then on to Havelberg, the ‘island and cathedral city in the countryside’. Small and almost inconspicuous, Havelberg lies at the confluence of the Havel and Elbe rivers. Don't miss a visit to the cathedral, built in Renaissance and Baroque styles. Stroll through the pretty old town and enjoy your evening.

Today, a relaxed stage through the Elbe River Valley awaits you. Your route takes you to the small town of Wittenberge, which impresses with its striking townscape and the second-largest tower clock in Europe. You will continue cycling through the UNESCO Elbe-Brandenburg River Landscape Biosphere Reserve – one of the most impressive river landscapes in the country – to Schnackenburg, known for its borderland museum. You will spend the night in Wittenberge or in Gartow am See.

Today, your route takes you along the gentle curves of the Elbe River to the charming town of Hitzacker. Nestled between the river and wooded hills, the town delights visitors with its location and special flair. Hitzacker is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and offers a picturesque old town, where artistically restored half-timbered houses and typical North German brick architecture characterise the townscape. Narrow streets, small squares and cosy cafés invite you to stroll around, while the historic atmosphere brings the region's history to life.

The stage from Hitzacker to Lauenburg is somewhat hilly, with ups and downs. In Lauenburg, you will be greeted by the silhouette of the old town framed by the banks of the Elbe. In the historic old town of Lauenburg, you can admire half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Furthermore, the Elbe Shipping Museum, which is unique in Germany, invites you to visit. Also worth seeing are the castle with its mighty castle tower, the church tower of the Maria Magdalenen Church and the Fürstengarten.

The final stage takes you to the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. Passing through Geesthacht, you will travel through a unique inland dune landscape to the Hanseatic metropolis. Here you can round off your trip with a harbour tour, a visit to one of the numerous museums or a trip to the theatre to see a musical.

After breakfast, you will begin your individual journey home. Of course, you also have the option of staying in Hamburg for one or more additional days.