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Elbe River

Elbe River: Our most recommended tours and activities

Dresden: River Sightseeing Boat Cruise

1. Dresden: River Sightseeing Boat Cruise

Discover Dresden's charm and history on a boat cruise down the Elbe River. See the Elbe Valley's most beautiful landmarks and the historic old town of Dresden on this sightseeing boat cruise. Begin at the Terrassenufer and discover the three Elbe palaces: Albrechtsberg Palace, Eckberg Palace, and the Lingner Palace. Travel to the Loschwitz Villa Quarter and pass four of the famous Elbe Bridges, including Loschwitz Bridge, affectionately known as the "Blue Wonder".

Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle

2. Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle

Discover the historic old town of Dresden aboard a ship and admire the most beautiful sites of the Elbe Valley. Start off at Terrassenufer and see the three famous castles: Albrechtsberg, Eckberg, and Lingner Castle, along the Elbe on the way to the villa quarter Loschwitz. Pass the 4 famous Elbe bridges, whose histories affect the city up until now. The most memorable bridge is called Blue Wonder, which gets its name because of the color. Soak up the views of the impressive Pillnitz Palace as your boat drops anchor for roughly twenty minutes. It was built in the 18th century under the Elector of Saxony August the Strong and is now the site of the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Arts and Crafts) as well as the Schlossmuseum (Castle Museum).

From Hamburg or Cuxhaven: Catamaran Day Trip to Heligoland

3. From Hamburg or Cuxhaven: Catamaran Day Trip to Heligoland

Take an exciting day trip from to Heligoland, Germany's only island not in the vicinity of the mainland. Over 40 miles off the coast, the island is known for its spectacular red cliffs, upon which sit the white sands of sprawling dunes, surrounded by unspoiled nature. The boat departs from Hamburg early, with the ride lasting approximately 3.5 hours. Zip down the Elbe river to Cuxhaven and out onto the North Sea on a sleek, ultra-modern catamaran, passing the port of Cuxhaven. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, gazing out across the vast waters from the open-air deck, or from the comfortable cabin. Modern flat screens all over the ship will teach you fun facts about the Elbe, Northern Germany, and the North Sea during the cruise. Arriving on Heligoland, wander the stunning island for approximately 4 hours. Gaze out over the dunes and onto the north sea, before doing some shopping — all tax free because of the island’s duty-free laws. Soak in the idyllic charm of the area, before hopping back on to the comfortable boat for your trip back to Hamburg.

From Prague: Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip

4. From Prague: Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip

Choose from a hiking tour, a fantasy highlights tour and a winter tour, and discover Prague in a unique way. Visit National Parks, ancient castles, or snow-covered landscapes. Learn about your surroundings from your local expert guide. Your guide will pick you up from your Prague accommodation early in the morning. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle while learning about Czech culture, history, and the main highlights on your way to the national park. Taste snacks and enjoy beverages throughout the entire day.  Enjoy an abundance of time to admire the filming sites of the 'Chronicles of Narnia' movie in a group of a maximum of 10 persons. Spend an unforgettable day in the Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Park, one of the unique natural reserves in Europe, by choosing one of the following Tour options:  Hiking Tour Choose this tour if you want to see the main highlights of both National Parks. Visit two countries in one day. The first destination is the magnificent Bastei Bridge. Feast on the breathtaking views of the Elbe river canyon, surrounded by unique sandstone rock formations. Then enjoy the rolling landscape full of tiny German villages and famous table mountains. The following hike brings you near the main symbol of Bohemian Switzerland — the Pravcicka Gate — the largest sandstone arch in Europe. After tasting the rich local cuisine (lunch included), sail on gondola-style boats through the soothing Kamenice river gorge (a 12-hour, 10-kilometer active hike). Fantasy Highlights Tour This tour brings together the two main fantasy filming sites of the region. Visit Saxon Switzerland and walk across the magnificent Bastei bridge and visit Neurathen Castle ruins. Cross to Bohemian Switzerland and adore the amazing views from the Sneznik lookout tower. Enjoy a tasty lunch (included) in a local restaurant and continue to experience Narnia while hiking through the sandstone labyrinth of Tyssa Walls (a 10-hour, 9-kilometer moderate hike).  Winter Tour Go on this tour for an active winter visit to the region. Marvel at the beauty of snow-covered sandstone towers. Stroll across the Bastei Bridge to reach the medieval ruins of Neurathen Castle. Enjoy the Pravcicka Gate during the season pictured in Narnia. Hot beverages and lunch in a local restaurant (included) will help you regain all your energy (10-hour, 7-kilometer moderate hike).

Dresden: Boat Cruise with Wine Tasting and Snacks

5. Dresden: Boat Cruise with Wine Tasting and Snacks

Take a boat cruise on a traditional steam paddler from Dresden to Diesbar-Seußlitz. Admire the views of the magnificent old castles and the Saxon vineyards on your 3-hour cruise. The impressive Albrechtsburg with the cathedral in Meißen can already be seen from far away while you make your way to the scenic wine villages on the shores of the Elbe. After your arrival, hike through the vineyards and explore one of Germany's smallest wine regions with its distinctive wines. Enjoy snacks with your wine tasting in the heart of the vineyards and sample 5 different wines from the region. Some of the local grape varieties can only be found in Saxony. Their rarity has made them a sought-after product. End your tour in a rustic winegrower's house and afterward drive back to Dresden.

Dresden: Bridges River Tour

6. Dresden: Bridges River Tour

Pass romantic riverside castles as you cruise to Blasewitz the Blue Wonder Bridge on this group boat tour of Dresden on the Elbe river. Immerse yourself in Dresden's old town and its bridges with this steamer cruise. Once you get to the Blue Wonder bridge, head back to see Dresden's old town. Sail by the Augustus Bridge, the Semper Opera House, and the congressional center to Pieschen. Take in stunning views of of the famous Canaletto view.

Dresden: E-Bike Tour and Dresden Heath Forest Trails

7. Dresden: E-Bike Tour and Dresden Heath Forest Trails

Avoid the public streets with this adventurous bike tour. Begin your tour in Neustadt, Dresden and head towards the Schönfelder Highlands.  Visit Wachbergschänke, a popular inn with a beer garden, where you can experience a spectacular view of Dresden. Travel into Alaunplatz and pass through Dresden Heath on incredible forest trails. Leave the forest and head towards Dresden TV tower, the highest viewing point on the route. Journey downhill until you reach the Dresden Elbe Valley. Enjoy riding on the bike paths along the Elbe river, back to Neustadt, Dresden.  

From Meissen: Paddle Steamer Tour to Dresden

8. From Meissen: Paddle Steamer Tour to Dresden

Discover the vineyards of Saxony from the water after a day in Meissen. Take in the famous Saxon Wine Route as you sail by paddle boat to Dresden, with a stop in Radebeul, a town well-known for its viticulture. Enjoy a one-way trip that lets you explore more of Saxony during your vacation. After exploring Meissen, head to the pier to board the steamboat. Indulge in a relaxing trip along the Elbe River. Travel along the Saxon Wine Route, discovering the vineyards growing the grapes for famous Saxon wines. Listen to the onboard audio commentary as you sail to get more from your trip. Stop in Radebeul, where you can admire beautiful vineyards and half-timbered houses. Climb back on board to continue to Dresden. As you approach the city, marvel at the unique silhouette in the evening glow and the famous Canaletto view. On arrival, disembark to explore the Old Town.

Hamburg: Self-Guided Culinary Tour for 2

9. Hamburg: Self-Guided Culinary Tour for 2

Embark on a self-guided culinary tour of Hamburg. Explore the city's food scene at your own pace and visit five fascinating locations. Benefit from vouchers for each of the food and beverage vendors visited and complete a fun quiz for a chance to win a prize. Begin your culinary adventure at one of the most exciting culinary projects in Hamburg, Hobenköök. Here you'll receive everything you need for your tour, including a map, a recipe that you can shop for along the way, your vouchers, and the list of questions for the quiz. This innovative store combines a restaurant with an indoor market that sells primarily regional products. See the goods on offer, admire the chic industrial setting and maybe grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. Choose from a range of traditional dishes from Hamburg and Northern Germany with a focus on seasonal produce. Next head to Hamburg’s Chocolate Museum: Chocoversum. Browse all the different types of chocolate on offer at the shop and collect a sweet treat. If you want to take a deep dive into chocolate making you can take part in a guided tour (not included, must be booked in advance at chocoversum.de). Can you smell that? Freshly roasted coffee awaits at your next stop, Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei. Enjoy a delicious pick-me-up in the largest warehouse district in the world and admire the striking red brick buildings that dominate this area. Continue your tour at Lieger Caesar. What is a visit to Hamburg without spending some time on a boat? In this case a house boat the offers lunch, dinner and a curated shop with tasty mostly local treats some of which are made in-house. End your foodie tour with a visit to FrischeParadies. Learn why this store is favored by foodies and chefs alike. Marvel at the wide range of fresh produce, meat, fish, wines, and more. Grab the last few items on your shopping list before you head home to cook the recipe provided with your tour.

From Dresden: Bohemia and Saxon Switzerland Winter Tour

10. From Dresden: Bohemia and Saxon Switzerland Winter Tour

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Dresden, and then travel to the heart of Czech Bohemia via the Bastei Bridge on the German) side of the park. Walk across the magnificent bridge perched high above the Elbe River, and marvel at the stunning views that will simply take your breath away. Continue on to Pravčická brána on the Czech side of the park. Take a 2-kilometer hike up to the largest natural sandstone gate in Europe. Get some free time for a break and to enjoy a delicious a la carte lunch. Sit back and relax in comfort on the journey back to Dresden, and get dropped off at your hotel on arrival.

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What people are saying about Elbe River

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 3,093 reviews

This was such a beautiful experience and the tour guide couldn't of been any better all thanks to Joseph who was the kindest person ever! Joseph is fantastic and would definitely recommend this tour! He was so helpful, knowledgeable and kind! He helped us walk on the snow and made sure we could take the tour at our own pace! Which was appreciated due to my mother having disabilities which was no issue for Joseph who was prepared to help when needed! Thank you for the perfect day trip - love from Scotland from Jennifer and Mum x

I was lucky since my guide Joseph has a background in geography. He is very knowledgeable and introduced the formation of the park in a way of easy understanding. I was the only customer in this trip but didn’t feel awkward at all as Joseph treated me like a friend while in the same time he took care everything very well. I strongly recommend this tour if you are a nature lover and want to see different scenery.

Excellent tour. Joseph was great. The hike was wonderful and so beautiful. Joseph was such a help with some of the stairs. Gave us all a hand. Literally. I would recommend to all!

Beautiful nature, comfortable minibus and amazing guide. Would definitely recommend to my friends. Our family had an amazing time! Thanks a lot to our guide Joseph!

It was an amazing boat trip, althout due to winter time the last part of the trip was at night