RegionOutline guide

Saxon Switzerland

Hilly natural area in Saxony, Germany

Photo: Felix Gottwald, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Saxon Switzerland (German: Sächsische Schweiz) is a national park in Saxony, Germany, so named after its picturesque upland scenery.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By car
It may be a little tricky to find the roads out of the city Dresden if you're not used to it. Follow the signs to Czech Republic (Dečin) or Bad Schandau.
By boat
If you have some time, try this. Old beautiful steam ships (there are modern diesel too, so take care when you buy tickets) bring you up the river through the beautiful Elbtal. Relaxing trip.
By bicycle
There is a good bicycle way along the Elbe River, take the right river (northern) side if you go up.

Read in the guide

Getting around

Best option is a car, although there is public transport (question is not if you get there, but when).

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Dresden Airport

Dresden · International · DRS

Search stays near DRS

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Cities

Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel

a well-known cure spa close to Saxon Switzerland

Bad Schandau

on the river within Saxon Switzerland

Königstein

home to one of the largest mountain fortresses in Europe

Rathen

Bastei rock formation and Open-air-arena Felsenbühne

Read before you go to Saxon Switzerland

Articles and travel topics about Saxon Switzerland and Germany.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandThe mountain range was formed after the sea retreated and left (Cretaceous era, roughly contemporary with T-Rex) sandstone as the remains. It was once a wild area, known for robbers and hard to conquer strongholds.

TalkLike in most other parts of Germany, English is generally well understood by people, in this area especially by people under 50. Some know Russian and some also Czech.

Get inProbably the most comfortable way to get in, even faster than car due to a direct line along the river Elbe. Eurocity trains from Prague (1:45 hours) and Berlin (2½ hours) call in Bad Schandau every two hours.

Get aroundBest option is a car, although there is public transport (question is not if you get there, but when).

SeeTo get a good overview over all destinations, visit the site of the regional management (available in German, English and Czech).

EatThere are a number of inns along the hiking trails and small restaurants in every town.

Stay safeIt is a very safe region and there should not be any problems (you still have to lock your car).

Go next

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Saxon Switzerland" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Saxon Switzerland", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Felix Gottwald, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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