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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 Prague: Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip

3. 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).

Hamburg: Easter Fire Evening Cruise

4. Hamburg: Easter Fire Evening Cruise

Navigate down the Elbe River on a scenic evening cruise in Hamburg. Marvel at the iconic Easter fires and take part in a local tradition. Watch how the pyres are lined up and see the fires start, in a unique annual experience that can only be seen in select areas of Germany. Climb aboard the spacious boat at twilight and begin sailing along the harbor. Take in the smaller Easter fires from your seat as you travel toward Blankenese. Once you arrive, admire how the four traditional pyres are set up, with people lining the shores of the Lower Elbe. Witness how residents burn away the winter with the symbolic fires. Finally, enjoy a safe ride back in the night atmosphere.

Bad Schandau/Dresden: Saxon Switzerland Boat Trip

5. Bad Schandau/Dresden: Saxon Switzerland Boat Trip

Discover a unique landscape from this historic paddle steamer and enjoy the journey along the Elbe River. Admire the prettiest scenes of the Elbe valley in Saxon Switzerland National Park. Choose from a return trip starting in Bad Schaundau or a one-way trip from Dresden. Discover the picturesque Old Town with the Canaletto-House and the church St. Marien. Also pay a visit to Sonnenstein Castle for a fantastic view of Pirna. Take a closer look at the 250-meter high Fortress in Koenigstein and the impressive bastion rocks, Basteifelsen, in Kurort Rathen. Settle back and enjoy a delicious cake and specialty coffees while passing small picturesque villages. The National Park Saxon Switzerland, with its diverse flora and fauna, is a paradise for hikers and climbers.

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: Boat Cruise with Wine Tasting and Snacks

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

8. 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

9. 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.

All-in-One Hamburg Shore Excursion from Kiel Port

10. All-in-One Hamburg Shore Excursion from Kiel Port

Make the most of your time onshore and explore Hamburg on a guided tour from Kiel. Learn about Hamburg's essential role in the historic Hanseatic League, visit the ruins of St. Nicholas Church, and stroll down Hamburg's oldest street, Deischstrasse. Meet your driver in front of your cruise ship just after docking and climb aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. After a relaxing journey, arrive in Hamburg and meet your local tour guide. Enjoy a stroll through the historic heart of Hamburg and see the stunning Town Hall. As you walk, learn about Hamburg's role in the Hanseatic League from your guide. Continue to cross the ancient Trost bridge and visit the St Nikolas Church. As you stand next to this burnt-out shell of a church, learn how it acts as a way to remember the near-total destruction of the city during World War II. Leave the church and head down Deichstrasse, the oldest street in Hamburg. As you walk down this historic street, enjoy the view of the nearby Elbe River. Before returning to the bus, continue wandering down the river and through the scenic Landungsbrucke river walk. Drive over to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Speicherstadt, and see where historically traders stored their goods. Explore the Hafencity, the newest area of Hamburg which includes the iconic Elbphilharmonie. After your guided tour ends, enjoy 1 hour to explore Hamburg on your own. Grab lunch, buy some souvenirs, or explore one of Hamburg's museums. After returning to Kiel, you will have about 1.5 hours before your cruise departs, giving you time to explore Kiel or relax with a coffee.

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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