Abstract: A process for preparing retinyl glycosides of the formula I ##STR1## where Z is a glycosidic residue, by glycosidation of a completely acylated carbohydrate or completely acylated glycosidic polymer of the formula IIZ (acylated)-Y (II)where Y is a leaving group customary for glycosidations in the 1-position of the glycoside, comprises the acylated glycoside being reacted with an aldehyde-protected 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-buten-1-al under the conditions customary for glycosidations, eliminating the aldehyde protective group from the resulting compound, subjecting the resulting aldehyde to a Wittig reaction with a .beta.-ionylideneethyltriphenylphosphonium salt and eliminating the acyl groups on the resulting retinyl glycoside in a conventional manner.The process according to the invention is particularly important for preparing retinyl glycosides of the formula Ia ##STR2## where R is --CH.sub.2 --OH, --COOH or --COOCH.sub.3. Intermediates of this process are also claimed.