Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic. Photo via Flickr:Traveltipy
Neumarkt, Dresden. Photo via Flickr:tm-md

Vineyards and castles in Prague, Czech Republic. Photo via Flickr:Moyan Brenn
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Prague to Dresden - A Tale of Two Rivers

Czech Republic, Germany Bike Tours

Cycling along the Vltava and Elbe Rivers

This bike tour in the Czech Republic and Germany from Prague to Dresden follows the flow of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers, through beautiful countryside, picturesque towns, and scenic parks.

Starting in Prague, the “City of a Hundred Spires”, you'll be amazed at the number of historical sites contained in such a small area. Left largely untouched during the great World Wars, it has retained its unique character. Cycle through the natural beauty of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland National Park, and through the romantic region of former volcanoes of the Czech Middle Mountains. As a bonus you can enjoy a boat trip or hiking in the Czech Saxon Switzerland!

Dresden is known for its Baroque architecture. Its Frauenkirche is considered the world’s finest Protestant church. Other notable landmarks are the Catholic Hofkirche (Saxony’s largest church) and the Residenzschloss.

Interesting in more bike tours in the Czech Republic?

Where You’ll Stay

Accommodations in 3 and 4 star hotels and guesthouses

What’s Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 6 nights
  • Breakfasts
  • Detailed maps and route descriptions
  • 24-speed bicycle
  • Luggage transportation
  • Telephone support
  • Helmet and basic repair kit
  • Guided Tour only
  • Dinners (except on day 1)
  • Water and snacks during cycling
  • Tour guide
  • Support vehicle

What’s Not Included

  • Individual arrival and departure to Prague
  • Lunches and dinners (dinners included in guided tour only)
  • Bicycle protection
  • Trip insurance

Prague to Dresden - A Tale of Two Rivers Map

TourBike
TypeBoth
SkillEasy
Length7 days
From€615 Rates
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Tour Dates

Guided: April 30**, June 4, July 9, July 31, August 6, August 27 and September 17, 2016

Self-Guided: Daily arrival possible from May to mid October 2016

**DISCOUNTED PRICE! See pricing for details

Skill Level

This is an easy self-guided or guided bike tour with average daily distances between 30 and 33 miles.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Prague to Dresden - A Tale of Two Rivers Map

Day 1: Arrival in Prague
Day 2: Prague - Melnik, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 3: Melnik - Litomerice, 32 mi. (52 km)
​Day 4: Litomerice - Decin, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 5: Decin - Czech Saxon Switzerland - Bad Schandau, cycling 10 mi. (25 km) - additional cycling or hiking
Day 6: Bad Schandau - Dresden, 30 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Dresden

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival in Prague
After arriving in Prague and checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is up to you to explore Prague on your own. You can either relax or have a unique Prague by bike tour (not included in the tour price). The tour is guided by tour guides born and raised here who truly love the city. Perhaps you might want to think of booking an extra night before the tour as there is also opportunity for a bike tour to Karlstejn Castle or other one day excursions to important places of the Czech Republic (Cesky Krumlov, Kutná Hora, Karlovey, Vary, or Terezin. Please ask us for additional details about this tour! Be sure to end your day with a mug of good local beer. 

Day 2: Prague - Melnik, 33 mi. (53 km)
Despite the first small ascent, today's route follows a nice trail to Melnik, the heart of the Czech wine region. Just before leaving Prague, pass the Troja Baroque Castle and continue to the North following the bank of the Vltava River. The river creates very interesting rock formations and deep valleys. Highlights of today include visits to castles in Nelahozeves and Veltrusy. End the day in Melnik with a glass of a good wine from the region.

Day 3: Melnik - Litomerice, 32 mi. (52 km)
Today’s route is fairly flat and leads through a calm Elbe region, one of the most fertile regions in the Czech Republic. At the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers, the river gains strength and slowly becomes a European major waterway. After passing the Libechov Castle, you'll arrive in the town of Roudnice nad Labem where you can admire an old church and a castle. The most impressive stop is the massive Terezin Fortress, with a history dating back to 1780, when its construction began. It was used in World War I as a prison and then again in World War II as a concentration camp. This era was filled with hatred and cruelty and dramatically spotted the history of Terezin, a place that the Nazis used as a Jewish concentration camp. The day concludes in the old town of Litomerice, a spiritual center of the region.

​Day 4: Litomerice - Decin, 33 mi. (53 km)
Today is reserved for exploration of the romantic countryside of the Czech Middle Mountains. Even though this region is very hilly, the route mainly follows the banks of the Elbe River with hills with several old ruins surrounding you. This former volcanic region had always been an ideal terrain for building castles and fortresses, many of which have not been preserved. The Strekov Castle, which was built on top of a steep rock cliff, belongs among one of the most romantic castles in the Czech Republic. After an optional, strenuous climb, you will be rewarded by a magnificent view from its walls. The final point of this stage will be the Northern Gate of the Czech Republic and the town of Decin, which has the lowest altitude in the Czech Republic.

Day 5: Decin - Czech Saxon Switzerland - Bad Schandau, cycling 10 mi. (25 km) - additional cycling or hiking
You'll have two choices today, you can choose to cycle or take a boat to Hřensko. This border town is situated in the heart of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland National Park and offers many attractive activities. If you enjoy hiking, you will want to take advantage of the touristic trails leading through the scenery of the rocky towns, and the mesas, passes, deep gorges, and hillsides. You'll also admire the wonder of the Pravcicka Gate, no doubt, the biggest natural rock bridge in Europe.

Take a boat through the passes of Kamenice River or continue your bike tour on one of many marked bike trails through this wonderful country, or combine a boat trip with a ride through a romantic valley on a historical tram in Bad Schandau. After saying Good bye to Czech Republic, cross the border to Germany just on the edge of the historic spa town of Bad Schandau.

Day 6: Bad Schandau - Dresden, 30 mi. (40 km)
This day is packed with historical sites! After leaving Bad Schandau, visit the Königstein Fortress and see the beautiful rock formation with a romantic rock bridge and Bastei Ruin. An optional climb to this unique, natural wonder is one of the highlights of this whole tour! It is definitely worth the climb and you'll be rewarded by an unforgettable panoramic view. Cycling a few more kilometers by the town of Pirna, you will enter the region of the Dresden Valley. There are several beautiful castles and museums of music masters, such as Karl Maria Weber and Richard Wagner. Today's final destination is Dresden.

Day 7: Dresden
There is probably no other town in Germany which better symbolizes the turbulent history of this country and shows many centuries of cultural and architectural boom combined with religious freedom and economic prosperity. A short admiration of Nazism was followed by a cruel punishment in the form of the biggest bombing during World War II, which turned almost the entire city into ruins overnight. After-the-war resurrection into forty years of communistic unimportance is followed by twenty years of renewal and reconstruction. Thanks to this renovation of the entire city, today we can admire the beauties of this place, which earned the nickname of “Florence upon Elbe”.

You can always extend your stay to further explore Dresden. Accommodations, guided city tours, and transfers can be arranged!

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Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064

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Customer Feedback

  • Amanda Uthe 9 months ago

    Wonderful experience! We opted not to use the GPS and stuck to the maps. This allowed us ample opportunities to chat with locals and ask them for directions when we went off track to visit different areas of the towns on the route. Beautiful views and welcoming people made for a memorable trip!

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