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Table of Contents:
When to travel to Saxon Switzerland
How to get to Saxon Switzerland
How to get to Saxon Switzerland from Prague
How to get to Saxon Switzerland from Dresden
Where to stay in Saxon Switzerland
What to see & do in Saxon Switzerland
I have travelled extensively around Germany and I can say that the country is full of attractions, be it inspiring countryside, magnificent tiny towns scattered around, great architecture, thermal springs or any other sites. Plus, getting around is pretty much easy here, because of the developed transport infrastructure. You can use trains, buses or cars to get around. I tried all of these means of transport and I can confirm that they are pretty much convenient and fast. Having enjoyed my trip around Germany, I have decided to put together information I have previously researched and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday here. Based on my research, I found out how to get Saxon Switzerland, where to stay & what to see. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to this lovely & charming place.
When to travel to Saxon Switzerland
The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located on the border of Germany and the Czech Republic on the German side and is a mountain forest massif of the Elbe sandstone mountains. The main attractions here are the mountains of very interesting shapes, formed under the influence of constant wind. It is often called the “blowing effect”. In addition, there are numerous historical monuments, including the most ancient and picturesque ones, which are the Bastei Bridge and the Konigstein Fortress. The National Park is very popular among the travellers and is one of the most visited parks in Germany.
Based on my thorough research, I can say that the best time to visit the park is the period from May to October. This is the most colorful and picturesque touristic season when you can enjoy viewing the natural attractions at their best. Visiting during the winter time is also possible, but natural landscapes are not so colorful this time of the year. Besides, in winter, during snowfalls, the park may be closed.
How to get to Saxon Switzerland
Where do you fly into to get to Saxon Switzerland? The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located 125 km from Prague and 50 km from Dresden, so most of the tourists come to the park from these large cities. Both of them have airports. Check the current flight timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I can totally recommend this service as I use it pretty much often when planning my own trips around Europe. The touristic tours to Saxon Switzerland are quite popular among the travellers and are often organized from Prague or Dresden, but you can also get to the park by public transport or by car. It is also quite convenient for tourists to move around the park on their own.
How to get to Saxon Switzerland from Prague
By public transport: You can get to the park from Prague by public transport. The closest villages to the park are the thermal resorts of Rathen and Bad Schandau. Trains run from Prague both to the Rathen Resort and the town of Bad Schandau. There are direct trains to Bad Schandau (about 2 hours on the way), and indirect trains to the Rathen Resort (about 3 hours on the way). You can check train schedules and buy tickets online at Raileurope or OBB. From the Rathen Resort you can directly start your hiking trip to Saxon Switzerland, while from Bad Schandau you need to use the local bus to reach the destination.
◊A useful tip! By the way, if you wish, you can stay at Bad-Schandau or Rathen longer, because the resorts offer climate and mineral therapy.
By renting a car: The most convenient way to get from Prague to Saxon Switzerland is by car. Travel time takes no more than 1 hour 20 minutes, and along the way you can see picturesque natural landscapes. Prague and the Saxon Switzerland National Park are connected with highway No. E55 (see on the map). When renting a car in Prague, please, note, that you will have to cross the state border to enter the National Park, so check with the rental office if it requires additional permission for the rented car.
⇒You can find the rental offices both at the city center or at the airport right after arrival. You also can book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings etc. I use both services regularly to check out available options and choose the best suitable for me so I can recommend it. To rent a car you need to have a passport (or an ID card), a driver`s license and a bank card.
How to get to Saxon Switzerland from Dresden
By public transport: Getting to Saxon Switzerland is even easier from Dresden than from Prague. Direct trains run between Dresden and the Rathen or Bad Schandau resorts, the travel time is only half an hour. Trains run every hour throughout the day. You can check the train schedules and buy tickets online on the Raileurope ticket service. This is one of the services that I use pretty much often. It helps me a lot to plan my upcoming trips around Europe.
Next, from the Rathen resort station, you need to go to the pier, buy tickets for the local ferry across the Elbe (the travel time is about 5 minutes) and enter the park.
⇒Once on the other side of the Elbe, you will see the picturesque Elbe Mountains right in front of you, the hiking routes of which will lead you to their top. In the park, you should move around, focusing on the signs; they are placed almost everywhere, and it is difficult not to notice them.
By renting a car: you also can rent a car in Dresden to travel on your own. The rental offices can be found either at the city center or at the airport. You also can book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. To rent a car you need to have a passport (or an ID card), a driver`s license and a bank card. The distance between Dresden and Saxon Switzerland National Park is approximately 50 km. They are connected with #A17 and B172 roads. The travel time is about 1 hour (see on the map).
Where to stay in Saxon Switzerland
The National Park of Saxon Switzerland is quite extensive, there are many hiking trails to explore the area. If you plan to stay here longer, then it will be most convenient to choose one of the nearest villages. The closest villages to the park are the resorts of Rathen (closer, within the walking distance) and Bad Schandau (further, you need to get there by bus or train). Both resorts are quite cozy with traditional half-timbered architecture.
So, for example, you can stay at the Rathen resort in:
Elbiente 4* is a well-equipped hotel with an indoor pool and a spa area. It offers a sauna, a steam bath and a fitness room. There is a terrace overlooking the Elbe and a restaurant. You can stay in standard and superior rooms; some have a river view. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge. Parking, bike rental, ATM are also available;
Elbschlosschen 4* – the hotel is located at the foot of the mountains and has picturesque views of the river. It offers a swimming pool and an extensive spa area. The hotel has a restaurant and a bistro. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in public areas and is free of charge. Free public parking is located nearby. The front desk is open 24/7;
Amselgrundschlossen 3* – the hotel is situated at the Rathen resort and has a convenient location for exploring the surroundings. On the area of the hotel there is a restaurant and a bar. Barbecue facilities and bikes renting is also available at the hotel. You can stay in single and double rooms. Breakfast is included. Wi-Fi is provided at the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is possible on site. The sauna is also offered to the guests.
The advantage of hotels, located at the Rathen resort, is a full range of entertainment such as restaurants and indoor pools on site. You can choose rooms of various categories. As a rule, Wi-Fi in the hotels is provided free of charge, and there are no problems in finding free parking if you travel by car.
In Bad Schandau, you can find an even larger list of accommodations, since the town is considered to be a thermal resort too. Several thermal complexes, specializing at the types of treatment, are located here. By the way, Bad Schandau is a year-round resort. You can stay in Bad Schandau in the following hotels:
Steiger Ban Schandau 4* – this aparthotel is located in the resort of Bad Schandau. Here you can find a garden and an outdoor swimming pool. You can stay in rooms of various categories or in apartments. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in public areas and is free of charge. Free private parking is possible on site. Luggage storage services are provided at the front desk;
Parkhotel Bad Schandau 4* – this hotel is located 800 meters from the entrance to the National Park and has an outdoor pool and a spa area with a sauna. There is a restaurant and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms, as well as in apartments. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I discovered that some rooms even have balconies overlooking the river. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available at the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is possible on site. The front desk serves guests 24/7;
Elbhotel Bad Schandau 3* – the hotel is located in the center of Bad Schandau. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the room rate. Wi-Fi is available at the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is possible on site. There is a garden, a terrace and a sauna for relaxing.
What to see & do in Saxon Switzerland
The Saxon Switzerland National Park has a lot of natural attractions as well as architectural sights. The park consists of the Elbe sandstone mountains, which have the peculiar shapes, created by mix of constant blowing and erosion. The landscape of the National Park is very diverse. Leading the special routes, you can see not only the mountain range, but also fabulous forests and waterfalls, as well as some historical attractions, such as the Konigstein fortress and the ancient Bastei bridge, which connects the mountain peaks.
Inside the park, there are many hiking trails designed for different levels of training. The most popular route is the route leading to the Bastei Mountain, where you can see the bridge and the Konigstein fortress. Both places are extremely picturesque, as they are located on the top of rocky cliffs. Both the bridge and the fortress offer panoramic views of the mountains, the Elbe River and the Rathen resort.
In addition to the Bastei mountain with the ancient bridge and the Konigstein fortress, you can also see other interesting places on the area of Saxon Switzerland. In particular, they include valleys, waterfalls, forests, canyons and caves. If you want to choose less popular route, then go to the Lichtenhain Falls, where you can meet the Stolpen Fortress and the Kushtal rock gates. The “Artists’ Trail” with the most picturesque observation decks also deserve the attention of travelers.
The entrance to the Saxon Switzerland National Park is free. Only ferry services across the Elbe and entrance tickets to the Konigstein fortress are paid (8-10 euros depending on the time of year). In general, it can be said that the Saxon Switzerland National Park is a great alternative for a day trip from Prague or Dresden. You can stay here longer to discover more routes and warm up at the thermal pools which are rather popular at the Rathen and Bad-Schandau Resorts. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:
- The ferry across the Elbe River operates daily from 05.30 until 23.45 throughout the year (The Elbe River is not frozen at the winter time);
- The price of one-way ticket is 1,30 euros; the price of round trip is 2,50 euros.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: SteFou!
The author is Julia Mam
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…
