The Elbe River

About the Elbe
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Visit Castles on your Elbe River Cruise

Ports-of-Call on the Elbe River

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Elbe River as it flows through Europe.  These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises.  Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Elbe River further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Bad Schandau

Germany

Bad Schandau, Germany lies on the eastern shore Elbe River at the edge of the Saxon Switzerland National Park in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains range. The National Park Center for the Saxon Switzerland is located in Bad Schandau. The historic town center is nestled on the steep, towering sandstone rocks on the northern bank of the Elbe River and squeezed in places into the narrow valley of the Kirnitzsch. Bad Schandau is about 2 miles north of the Czech Republic border. As you stroll this quaint German town be sure to stop by the impressive Lutheran St. John’s Church with its octagonal west tower that has loomed over Bad Schandau since 1679.

Berlin

Germany

A popular excursion for Elbe River cruises is the metropolitan capital city of Berlin with its 3.5 million residents from more than 190 different countries. Berlin is best known for its historical importance, being the German capital, internationalism and tolerance, lively nightlife, its many cafés, clubs, bars, street art, and numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest. Berlin’s architecture is quite varied. Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and broken apart during the Cold War, Berlin has experienced a remarkable reconstruction especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a small area within the city center, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra-modern glass and steel structures at Potsdamer Platz.

Děčín

Czech Republic

Děčín is an enchanting and historic city in the North Bohemia province of the Czech Republic in the Elbe River valley near the border crossing with Germany. Stroll the safe pedestrian streets and enjoy unique shops, quaint restaurants, lively bars and quiet parks and squares. You will find baroque chateau that is worthy of a visit as well as the synagogue built in the Art Noveau style.

Dessau

Germany

Dessau was founded in the early 13th century and it became an important regional center in 1570, when the Principality of Anhalt was founded. Dessau became the capital of this Holy Roman Empire state. Dessau was nearly destroyed by air raids in World War II in March of 1945, shortly before American troops occupied the town. After the war, Dessau was rebuilt with typical Soviet concrete slab architecture and became an industrial center of East Germany. Since German reunification in 1990 many historic buildings have been restored to their original glory.

Dresden

Germany

The German city of Dresden was founded in 1206 and recently celebrated its 800th birthday in 2006. Dresden was the home to many Saxon princes and kings and is now the capital of the state of Saxony. The historical center of Dresden is today largely restored to its former glory before near complete destruction during World War II. The Zwinger was rebuilt in 1964, the Semper Opera house in 1985, and the most famous landmark the Frauenkirche, in 2005. Dresden’s 10 million annual visitors enjoy the Old Town and the many museums, monuments, parks and shops found there.

Litoměřice

Czech Republic

Litoměřice is a popular town at the junction of the Elbe River and Eger River in northern Czech Republic, just 40 miles from Prague. The area within the Ústí nad Labem Region is often called the Garden of Bohemia with a nod to mild weather conditions found there that are important for growing fruits and grapes. One of the oldest Czech towns, Litoměřice was established in the 10th century on the site of an early medieval Přemyslid Dynasty fort. The area was settled by the Czech tribe of Litoměřici, after which the town was named. A royal-town statute was granted in 1219 by the Czech king. From the 12th to the 17th century it was a significant trading center in the Holy Roman Empire. Enjoy Peace Square, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, and the Jewish Cemetery.

Meissen

Germany

Beautiful Meissen is one of the oldest towns in Saxony, Germany. It was once home to the local bishop and features a huge medieval Meissen cathedral and adjoining Albrechtsburg castle that are definitely worthy of a visit. European porcelain was first developed and refined here in Meissen. The porcelain china factory is still producing treasures today and you can visit it to learn more about the manufacturing process and perhaps purchase your own porcelain treasures. Meissen will be a memorable stop on your Elbe River cruise.

Potsdam

Germany

Potsdam is the capital of Brandenburg state and borders metropolitan Berlin. Potsdam is widely known for its ancient castles and historical landscape, more than 1000 years old, as a World Heritage Site. Many historic buildings have been fully restored since German reunification with more being restored every year. Visit Sanssouci Park and Castle, the New Garden which features the Marmorpalais and the Palace Cecilienhof, and Gedenk und Begegnungsstätte Ehemaliges KGB-Gefängnis Potsdam, the memorial and meeting place of former KGB Prison Potsdam. It was occupied by soviet forces who oversaw it as a prison for the counter intelligence services. Today it’s available for visits to remind people of the depressing reality of dictatorships.

Prague

Czech Republic

Prague, the vibrant city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, lies on the Vltava River for more than ten centuries. Prague’s medieval Old Town center is an enchanting mixture of cobble-stone streets, ancient walled courtyards, historic cathedrals and countless church spires, all in the shadow of the 9th century castle that overlooks the city. Prague is also a modern and exciting city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and shopping. Prague has become one of the most popular travel destinations in Central Europe in the same group with Vienna and Krakow. Millions of travelers visit the city each year. Prague was founded in the later 9th century, and became the seat of Bohemian kings, some of whom ruled as emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.

Torgau

Germany

Torgau is a German town on the banks of the Elbe River in northwestern Saxony. It is the capital of the district Nordsachsen. Torgau is known as the town where, on April 25 1945, United States and Soviet Union forces first met near the end of the Second World War. Sights in Torgau include the historic town center that has been restored since the German reunification, a brewery museum, the monument for the meeting of the Russian and American troops on the Elbe, and a Russian military cemetery. The early Renaissance Hartenfels castle dominates the skyline of Torgau. The Hartenfels chapel was built in 1544 and combines late Gothic with early Renaissance architectural elements. It was consecrated by Martin Luther in 1544.

Wittenberg

Germany

Wittenberg, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, was where, in 1517, according to legend, Martin Luther posted his famous 95 Theses onto the portal of the Schlosskirche. While historians doubt this particular part of the tale, it is certain that Luther disseminated his Theses from Wittenberg. In 2017 the town celebrated the 500th anniversary of the event. Luther Memorials in Wittenberg are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Some points of interest are the Schlosskirche, Luther’s home at the Black Cloister, Melanchthon House, and many other historical places.

Your Elbe River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Elbe River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.