The sky is getting higher and higher from west to east, at least if you look at Saxony from a topographical perspective. While the country around the modern, creative metropolis of Leipzig and the capital city of Dresden, which is characterized by famous architectural monuments, is still quite flat, the landscape in the surrounding area continues to rise. The idyllic meadows, hills and forests of the Vogtland border Saxony in the south and invite you to hike, bike and explore. Saxon Switzerland, with its impressive rock formations, and the Ore Mountains, with lively traditions and first-class winter sports opportunities, round out Saxony's diverse offerings and make for a travel region full of sights.
Sights in Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is one of the most beautiful and diverse regions in Germany. Varied cultural offers let nature lovers as well as city travelers get their money’s worth.
In some parts of the state, flourishing water landscapes have been created in recent decades from the formerly unsightly open pit craters. Thus, numerous lakes and waterways within the Lusatian and Leipzig Lake Land invite you to water sports and swimming adventures.
Well-developed hiking and biking trails lead everywhere between the Ore Mountains and Saxon Switzerland, Upper Lusatia and Vogtland to natural monuments, castles and palaces worth seeing.
The Saxon Switzerland National Park, between Bad Schandau and Sebnitz, is best tackled from the Kirnitzsch Valley. Bizarre sandstone formations dominate this unique landscape and create a mystical ambience full of sagas and legends. The imposing Bastei Bridge and the rock gate “Kuhstall” are a must-see. Also the fortress Königsstein and the castle Stolpen are worth a visit at any time of the year.
Especially around Christmas time, the Ore Mountains unfold their very special charm. Medieval Christmas markets and snow-covered forests invite you to linger. Skiers are also welcome and will find a variety of opportunities to thoroughly let off steam on cross-country trails and downhill runs around the Fichtelberg.
For the wine connoisseur, Germany’s smallest wine-growing region Diesbar-Seußlitz is to be recommended. In late summer, the viewer is offered a magnificent view from the hills surrounding the cathedral city of Meissen down to the Elbe and the sunny vineyards on the outskirts of the city. Visitors may also have some time to marvel at the widely known Meissen porcelain in the city’s own manufactory or the nearby Moritzburg Castle. It will certainly look familiar to some, as it served as a film set for the Christmas classic “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”.
Saxony’s major cities are also worth a visit. First and foremost the state capital Dresden. A walk through the old town inspires awe. While everything here was in ruins just a few years ago as a result of the world wars, the city now shines in new splendor. The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the landmark of this extensive reconstruction effort, as well as the Zwinger, the Semper Opera House and the Green Vault, attract visitors from all over the world to the city on the Elbe.
Like Leipzig and Chemnitz, Dresden has a thriving young and creative scene and attracts visitors with modern art and a colorful nightlife. Leipzig is also very attractive for families. The trade fair brings thousands of visitors to the city every year and the Leipzig Zoo is considered one of the most species-rich zoos in Europe.
Die 10 größten Städte in Saxony
For many, Leipzig is considered the "new" Berlin: young, hip, alternative. At the same time, the city in the state of Saxony has a lot of history to offer: A beautiful historic city center with Old Town Hall built in Renaissance style, St. Thomas Church with the burial place of ...
The capital of Saxony is a must for all culture fans and a total work of art. The heart of this work of art is the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), which, like large parts of the city center, was rebuilt after its destruction in World War II. But also ...
Chemnitz is still known to many as Karl-Marx-Stadt. It was not until 1990 that the Saxon industrial city regained its former name of Chemnitz. In the 19th century, Chemnitz was known as "Saxon Manchester" and was considered the center of the textile industry. Today, Chemnitz is a leading technology location.
On ...
The composer Robert Schumann was born in Zwickau. The city on the Mulde River has an international reputation as the cradle of automobile manufacturing. For decades, the cult vehicle of the GDR era, the Trabant, was built here. Zwickau is the starting point of the Saxon Silver Road and achieved ...
Plauen is considered the capital of the Saxon part of the Vogtland. Furthermore, the city is known as a center of lace manufacturing. Plauen is located in the middle of a charming low mountain range landscape. Not far from the city, well-known excursion destinations can be visited with the Pö...
Görlitz is the easternmost city in Germany and is located not far from the Polish border on the Lusatian Neisse River as a border river. Görlitz has always been located at the crossroads of important trade routes and was first mentioned in a document in 1071. The "Pearl of ...
Freiberg has significance as the first free mining town in Germany. The city forms the gateway to the Eastern Ore Mountains and is located about 30 kilometers east of Chemnitz. Silver mining helped the once most populous city of the Margraviate of Meissen to wealth. Mining came to a complete halt ...
Freital is a lively district town, located in the heart of Saxony. Only a few kilometers separate Freital from the metropolis of Dresden. The settlement was first mentioned in the Dresden document from the year 1206. Hard coal mining brought Freital fame and economic upswing.
A historical building worth seeing is ...
Bautzen looks back on 1,000 years of history and is considered the historical center of Upper Lusatia. The silhouette of the city is characterized by numerous towers. Bautzen represents the cultural center of Sorbian life and customs. With the "Domowina" the representation of interests of the Sorbs has its seat here.
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If you want to explore Saxon Switzerland, you can start from Pirna. The "gateway to Saxon Switzerland" is located about 20 kilometers southeast of Dresden. First mentioned in a document in 1233, the town belonged to Bohemia until the beginning of the 15th century. Since the opening of steam navigation on the ...
