With Elbe River cruises, you'll have easy access to great locations in Germany and the Czech Republic, along with a tranquil river to see it all on. The river begins in the Czech mountains, and then flows down and through Germany. It finally reaches its end once it runs into the North Sea. 

Along its route, voyagers enjoy tranquil agriculture and forested landscapes on either side. It runs through beautiful valleys with towering, tree-lined hills on both sides and into major cities, where travelers can explore to their heart's content. ​

Rivers connecting with the Elbe River

Elbe River cruises visit Labem, Czech Republic

​A great feature of the Elbe River is its connection to other rivers on the continent. This makes it an ideal place for European river cruises, since it can take its travelers to a variety of destinations. The network of rivers running throughout Europe connects voyagers with major cities, wine regions, and more. The Elbe connects to rivers like the Spree River and the Vltava River, both of which offer fantastic opportunities for travelers to explore Europe. Because of its connections, the Elbe is often a part of larger German river cruises and Czech river cruises.

Like the Elbe, the Spree River also runs through Germany. It’s most well-known for winding through Berlin, the Germany capital. Along its fairly short route, the Spree also travels through a number of smaller German towns and villages.

The Vltava River cuts through the center of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The Vltava is a scenic river lined with historic sights. Once in Prague, architectural masterpieces are a dime a dozen along the river’s banks.

Each of these smaller rivers connects to the Elbe, making this well-connected river an even better way to see Europe. The additional waterways are important to Elbe cruises, but the Elbe has plenty to offer on its own too.​

Elbe River cruise destinations

The Elbe is a little over 1,100 kilometers, or around 690 miles. It’s certainly not as long as the Danube, comparatively, which is 2,850 kilometers in length. Despite this, the Elbe makes up for it with several locations along its length through Germany and the Czech Republic. The Elbe is an important river to many German cities. Here, we’ve listed some of the most popular destinations visited by Elbe River cruises. 

Viking Elbe River cruises stop in Magdeburg, Germany

Elbe River cruises port in Dresden, Germany

• Dresden. This city is the capital of Saxony, Germany. It’s main attractions are its older, outstanding architecture and its museums. Dresden has tons of great examples of baroque architecture, including the Frauenkirche, a centuries old church in city limits.
• Hamburg. Hamburg is a bustling city that’s fond of the arts. Its artistic theme is found everywhere, from museums to its Elbe Philharmonic building to its museums. It’s also a fantastic place for food lovers, with lots of award-winning restaurants across the city. Hamburg is the most popular city visited on Elbe River voyages due to its exciting attractions and rich culture, and Elbe River Hamburg is the perfect part of the city to disembark and explore.
• Wittenberg. The town of Wittenberg is also full of history. It contains part of the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, and has heavy ties to the namesake religious figure. Visitors can get a firsthand view of Lutheran history in Wittenberg while exploring its museums.
• Magdeburg. This German city is a popular stop on the Elbe for history lovers. It was one of early Germany's most prominent cities, founded by King Charlemagne. Today, it's the burial place of Roman emperor Otto the Great, home to multiple universities, and many great examples of Gothic architecture. 
  

Though these are some of the Elbe’s most popular destinations, there are plenty of other German and Czech spots lining its path through Europe. ​

The best way to experience the Elbe River

​River voyages are undoubtedly the best way to experience the Elbe River’s many sights. Cruisers will have access to luxurious cruise vessels that often feature restaurants, lounges, and sun decks on board. Spending time on a sun deck while watching the Elbe’s scenery pass by is a memorable experience that travelers will never forget.

The weather in Germany is often temperate, but it’s always best to bring a jacket and umbrella just in case. If you’re visiting in the winter, be sure to pack warm clothes. Regardless of the weather, river cruise ships are always comfortable places to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights. For cruisers interested in German and Czech culture, arts, and lots of great architecture, Elbe River cruises are the way to go.