Cycling Hamburg to Berlin

Riverfront in Hamburg on a Berlin guided bike tour.
  • Length 8 days
  • From USD$4650
  • Style/Level Classic 1.5
  • Countries Germany
  • Begin/End Hamburg / Berlin
See related tours

Starting your cycling in Germany’s wealthiest city, Hamburg, whose slogan is “gateway to the world” is sure to delight! You’ll meander along the Elbe River to important trading towns of the Hanseatic League which from 1400-1800 dominated the trade routes and economies of the Baltic countries. Pedal through rural countryside to reach Lüneburg, while we finish up the tour at the Prussian kings’ summer resort (Potsdam). The grand finalé is the bicycle ride into Berlin.

If this tour sounds great but you prefer a longer ride, check out our Cycling Copenhagen to Berlin tour.

Highlights

  • Guided tour of Hamburg, Luneburg saltwater pools and nature reserve, Iron Curtain, Overnight at the Castle of Lenzen, Hanseatic League Cities, Water – birds abound, Potsdam – Sanssouci Palace and Park, Berlin

Includes

Keep in mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven’t been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.

Separated twin beds are rare in many places instead there will be two mattresses together that sit on the same base.


Date Price Private room fee Note

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  • Total distance 291km (180 miles)
  • Average daily distance 58km (36 miles)
  • Tour style Classic
  • Tour level 1.5

Highlights: Free and Hanseatic City, “Gateway to the world”

“The gateway to the world” might be a bold claim, but Germany’s second-largest city and largest port (despite being on a river and 100 km from the coast) has never been shy. Hamburg has engaged in business with the world ever since it joined the Hanseatic League back in the Middle Ages, and this “harbourpolis” is now the nation’s premier media hub and its wealthiest city. We’ll enjoy a special welcome dinner tonight.

Meals : Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Henri

Highlights: Guided harbor cruise of the Hamburg Port

Enjoy a harbor cruise this morning and some free time to visit some of the local attractions like the impressive Rathaus (city hall) or one of the museums in the newly popular warehouse district. Or perhaps you’d like some shopping in the main streets around the train station, or a stroll along the Alster River and harbor to see the bustle.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Hotel Henri

Highlights: Storybook German brick gothic town Lüneburg, town hall

Take a ferry out of Daily Hamburg and find yourself transported to another world – the “Alte Land” a rural paradise famous for its orchards. As the landscape changes we’ll ride through the Lüneburg Heath, a nature reserve, on our way to Lüneburg town whose prosperity for centuries came from its salt. The town sat upon a massive salt dome which was mined, sold/traded throughout Northern Europe. Though salt is no longer the primary economic driver, Lüneburg has more than that going for it. For instance our hotel is the location for the German TV series, “Red Roses”. Stroll around and enjoy this fairy tale setting.

Meals : Breakfast
Lodging : Hotel Altes Kaufhaus

Highlights: Elbe River, Iron Curtain, Baroque gardens at our lodging

Today’s ride follows the Elbe river along a natural area of the Lower Saxony Elbtalaue. With such a picturesque landscape it’s difficult to imagine that you are traveling along the Iron Curtain. We’ll regather in Hitzacker and take a 1.45-hour shuttle to the final destination of the day, Tangermünde. Our hotel for the night is the former residence of the emperor of Tangermünde, the castle’s unforgettable charm casts a spell on all who visit. Enjoy the pool or spa this afternoon.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Schloss Hotel Tangermunde

Highlights: Elbe valley – bird watching

You will continue riding along the Elbe valley, a paradise for bird watchers because its extensive alluvial flats offer perfect conditions for a wide variety of birds. After crossing the Elbe by ferry we will be heading toward the next river, the Havel. Actually, it is more of a series of lakes rather than a river that you will be following as you enter the town of Brandenburg.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Sorat Brandenburg

Highlights: Havel River Bike Path, Sanssouci Palace and Park

Today you will follow bike paths along the Havel River to the final destination for the day, Potsdam. This was the royal residence for Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. The palace’s name Sans Souci, translates to “without concerns”. King Frederick set-up his summer residence here in the 18th century to relax and escape the spectacle of the Berlin court. You’ll pedal through the city’s impressive park itself to reach our hotel in the center of town. Take the rest of the day to enjoy the town, its many palaces, and parks.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Brandenburger Tor

Highlights: Cycle to our final destination: Unified Berlin

Today we cycle to our final destination and Germany’s largest city, Berlin. Our route will take us across the bridge of spies, through the Grunewald, past the Olympia Stadium of 1936, and along bike paths to the Victory Column, through the Tiergarten Park to the Brandenburg Gate and back on bike paths to the Reichstag!

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Capri by Fraser Berlin

Highlights: Berlin guided visit

Your cycling adventure is complete, but we will spend our last morning together with a guided visit through the city. Once we finish our tour back at the hotel at around 1 p.m., we hope you have a bit more time to spend in one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. It offers a little of everything for its many visitors — Happy travels! If you must depart, we recommend you book your home bound flight for the next day as most international flights leave in the morning.

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.



Pre-trip planning checklist



  • This entire trip far exceeded my expectations. The guides were fantastic in every way, and made the trip absolutely seamless and stress-free. I am hooked.

    Peter P., Rockville, MD – June 2017
  • What was your favorite experience on this trip? Arrows, bike paths, arrows, meals, arrows! Special, unreal, an experience not to be missed. Great adventure, an unreal experience.

    Phillip R., Beverly Hills, NSW – August 2017