World culture on wild shores

Recreation and tourism

The "Elbe River Landscape" biosphere reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is over 400 kilometers long and lies between Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony-Anhalt. The landscape along the Elbe is varied and offers something special in every season:

  • In winter, floods repeatedly change the landscape.
  • In spring and fall, many birds rest on their way south or north.
  • In summer there are flowering meadows, large forests, old villages and wide sandbanks.

The landscape offers opportunities to experience nature and culture and to relax all year round.

People sitting in deckchairs on the Elbe embankmentMarkus Tiemann

Two people relaxing in deckchairs on a dyke.
Their bikes are parked next to them and they enjoy nature.
The biosphere reserve invites you to cycle and relax.
Here, gentle tourism is combined with nature conservation.

Typical activities

The biosphere reserve offers many opportunities to discover nature. A dense network of cycling and hiking trails invites you to explore. The Elbe can also be experienced in different ways.

  • Cycling on well-signposted paths
  • Water sports with canoe, raft, boat or passenger ship
  • Fishing in suitable areas

Further activities and information on the protection of sensitive natural areas are described on the following pages.

Green Belt

Part of the former inner-German border lies to the north of the biosphere reserve. Nature was able to develop undisturbed there for many years.

Today, the "Green Belt" is a contiguous habitat for over 1,200 rare animal and plant species. It is protected as a National Natural Monument in Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg.

The "Green Belt" combines nature conservation and remembrance of the division of Germany.

Historic border tower on the Elbe dyke near Boizenburg© R. Colell

An old border tower is a reminder of the inner-German border.
It used to separate people, today it stands as a memorial.
Nature has reclaimed the area and protects rare species.
The "Green Belt" combines history and nature conservation.

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