Small but beautiful: The most beautiful small towns in Saxon Switzerland

Castles, palaces, historic town centers with centuries-old half-timbered houses, and picturesque market squares: The towns in Saxon Switzerland are mostly small and beautifully renovated. Many of them are designated spa towns and are located directly on the Elbe River.

Forests, valleys, and the table mountains of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains add to the appeal of these places. Here are our recommendations for a vacation in Eastern Germany.

The historic city center is a restored beauty. It lies directly on the Elbe River, just a few kilometers from Dresden and the Saxon Switzerland National Park – an ideal place for nature and culture. Pirna excels in the latter area in particular: Largely spared from city fires and war damage, the impressive castle, the city church, imposing town houses, attractive courtyards, buildings with richly decorated gables, ornate sandstone portals, the large market square, and romantic alleyways are all impressive.

The skyline of Pirna is particularly beautiful.

Source: PantherMedia / Liane Matrisch

The renovated old town of Pirna is certainly worth seeing. It has been for centuries, actually. Perhaps the most enthusiastic tourist was once the Venetian painter Canaletto, who created 30 of his works here, thus making Pirna famous worldwide.

Those looking for cultural entertainment will find numerous options in Pirna. Hikers and cyclists also have an ideal starting point for their tours: the Elbe Cycle Path, the Saxon Wine Route, and the Saxon Wine Hiking Trail all pass through here.

It's idyllic here: the Elbe River flows through Wehlen, and excursion steamers sail along it. The world's oldest and largest paddle steamer fleet sails from here to Dresden or Meissen.

Steep, wooded slopes rise to the left and right of the river, some covered in vineyards. Nestled between them is the town of Wehlen. It's one of the smallest towns in the Free State of Saxony and is over 700 years old.

Those seeking relaxation appreciate the small town with its tranquil town center in the Elbe Valley. Several hiking trails lead into Saxon Switzerland with its striking rock formations.

View over Wehlen from the castle ruins.

Source: imago/CHROMORANGE

If you want to get an overview of the region, you should visit the miniature park “Little Saxon Switzerland”.

Tip: A passenger ferry connects the districts of Wehlen on the left and right banks of the Elbe. There is no bridge, so you should find out exactly where your accommodation is located beforehand.

Kings, bishops, electors—Stolpen has seen many famous visitors in its 800-year history. Perhaps the most famous was Countess Cosel, the ambitious mistress of the Saxon Elector Augustus the Strong. Her ambition, however, earned her 49 years in prison and ultimately a grave in Stolpen Castle.

Once a horror for Countess Cosel, the castle is now a highlight for visitors, visible from afar. At the foot of the castle hill lies the small town of Stolpen, with its many renovated buildings and squares. Twenty wrought-iron mouse statues are scattered throughout the town, marking Stolpen's landmarks. Children especially enjoy the Mouse Safari.

The castle town of Stolpen in Saxon Switzerland.

Source: imago images/Shotshop

Just a half-hour drive from Dresden, Stolpen is a great base for exploring neighboring Upper Lusatia with its lakes and heathland, or the nearby Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The town itself also boasts an impressive rock formation: the Stolpen Columnar Basalt natural monument. Approximately 25 million years ago, volcanic lava solidified into a column here.

Fun fact: At 82 meters deep, the castle well is considered the deepest natural basalt well in the world. The word "basalt" was first used here to describe the black-bluish rock, before it became common worldwide.

Small and charming, located directly on the Elbe River, is the small town of Königstein with its striking fortress of the same name. First mentioned in documents in 1241, today its museum offers insights into its history. Here, you can marvel at all sorts of things: the oldest surviving barracks in Germany, the deepest well in Saxony, the first Saxon garrison church, and a replica of Augustus the Strong's legendary giant barrel.

The porcelain inventor Johann Friedrich Böttger found refuge and security here, in the impregnable "Saxon Bastille," from the attacks of other princes. Today, the fortress is easily accessible to everyone via elevator or panoramic lift. And it's worth it, because the view from the complex over the Elbe Valley and Saxon Switzerland with its table mountains is truly breathtaking.

The imposing Königstein Fortress on the Elbe.

Source: imago images / Kbdig

Königstein is surrounded by the Pfaffenstein, the Quirl and the Lilienstein – the latter table mountain is the symbol of the Saxon Switzerland National Park and, of course, a popular hiking destination and photo motif.

Königstein is a great starting point for a variety of excursions in the surrounding area: You can reach wild, romantic valleys and the untouched nature of the national park. The town is located on the "Malerweg," a popular hiking route in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, and the Elbe Cycle Path.

Located in the heart of Saxon Switzerland, directly on the Elbe River, lies Bad Schandau. Hardly any other resort in the region is more centrally located. It's no surprise, then, that this small town, with a population of 3,500, is considered the oldest spa town in Saxon Switzerland. The small town is a state-recognized Kneipp spa and recreation center.

Active holidaymakers and those seeking relaxation will find what they're looking for here. In addition to traditional spa facilities, there are also modern beauty and wellness offerings, such as the Toscana Thermal Baths.

Panoramic view of Bad Schandau with its thermal baths.

Source: imago images/PEMAX

Hikers will find numerous trails through the national park in Bad Schandau. Climbing enthusiasts will enjoy the rugged rock faces in the immediate vicinity, such as those of the Schrammstein and Falkenstein.

Strolling through Bad Schandau, you'll discover the medieval town center. Its cafés, restaurants, and shops are lined with quaint half-timbered houses, some built in the Umgebinde style, a little further along the Elbe River in the Postelwitz district.

And at some point during your tour, you might come across a steel tower. This is Bad Schandau's passenger elevator, 52.26 meters high, built in the Art Nouveau style, and in operation since 1904. It climbs the almost 48 meters from Bad Schandau to the Ostrau district.

With the Kirnitzschtalbahn, a historic tram, you can travel from Bad Schandau through narrow valleys to the Lichtenhain Waterfalls.

The ascent to Hohnstein Castle takes you through the tranquil market square. The town of the same name lies around it, but is scattered among the surrounding mountains.

Worth seeing in this small, picturesque town are the half-timbered houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. The oldest building, the town hall, dates back to 1688.

Bad Hohnstein – an old castle like something out of a fairy tale.

Source: imago/Panthermedia

Architecture enthusiasts should definitely take a look at the church. It was rebuilt after a city fire around 1725 by Dresden city carpenter George Bähr and is considered one of the architectural models for the Dresden Frauenkirche. Another man is also important to Hohnstein: Max Jacob.

He is considered the most famous hand puppeteer of the 1920s. He based his "Kaiser family" here in Hohnstein and toured from here. Today, performances are held at the Max Jacob Theater. Wolfgang Berger continues to make hand puppets in Jacob's tradition. You can watch him at work.

After so much Punch and Judy, it's time to get back out into nature: Since Hohnstein is located on the edge of the Saxon Switzerland National Park and is also a state-recognized recreation area, you'll find over 70 kilometers of marked hiking trails in the area.

Like so many places in Saxon Switzerland, Rathen is located on the Elbe River. This small town is also a state-recognized climatic health resort. But Rathen has a special feature: It lies directly below the famous Bastei sandstone formation – perhaps the epitome of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

Bastei Bridge with Lilienstein in the background, in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Rathen.

Source: imago images/blickwinkel

The ascent is made up of well-maintained hiking trails of varying difficulty. While the climb may be arduous in places, the destination and the view over the national park are unique and worth every effort. Climbers will naturally find ideal terrain here. Even more spectacle awaits at the Rathen Rock Stage, a natural theater set against the backdrop of the Bastei massif.

The two mountain and spa towns of Bad Gottleuba and Berggießhübel were merged in 1999 as part of the municipal reform. The municipality, with a population of 5,700, lies between the northeastern foothills of the Eastern Ore Mountains and the southwestern foothills of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

The Gottleuba spa with its impressive main building.

Source: imago/Hanke

The mild low mountain climate, moorland deposits, and iron-rich springs attracted the first bathers to Bad Gottleuba in the 19th century. Almost a hundred years later, the town received state recognition as a health resort.

The Kneipp spa town of Berggießhübel also boasts a 200-year-old spa tradition, making it one of the oldest spa towns in Saxony. The town was first mentioned in 1450. At that time, it was a mining and ironworks settlement. This is also evidenced by the "Marie Louise Stolln" visitor mine, which offers guided tours of the tunnels and a wealth of interesting information about the mining tradition.

If you prefer the fresh air, you'll love Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel's location, as well as its extensive spa facilities and extensive network of hiking trails. The Gottleuba Dam and the Bismarck Tower, from which you can see Königstein Fortress in good weather, are popular and quickly accessible hiking destinations.

The town, located on the German-Czech border and between the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the Lusatian Mountains, is primarily known as the "silk flower town." In the demonstration factory, you can watch live how the artificial flowers are created, step by step. This traditional craft has been practiced here since 1834.

The textile industry turned the small farming village into a small town with many buildings from the Wilhelminian period, half-timbered houses and a large market square.

The town is nestled against the surrounding mountains, making it a perfect spot for winter sports enthusiasts and hikers alike. From here, you can quickly get out into nature. In winter, there are groomed cross-country ski trails, and year-round, you can explore the numerous hiking trails surrounding the resort. Or, relax in the herbal vitality bath.

The city, located on the German-Czech border and between the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the Lusatian Mountains, is primarily known as the “silk flower city.”

Source: Achim Meurer

The Sebnitz district of Hinterhermsdorf is the first national park municipality in Saxon Switzerland to be certified as a "family-friendly holiday destination." Families can climb the Weifberg Tower and enjoy the panoramic view. There's a large lawn and a water playground, guided discovery and puzzle tours, and much more. The "Waldhusche" is a recreational area that offers both fun and educational activities.

Lohmen – also known as the gateway to Saxon Switzerland – is a long, stretched-out village. The village church is considered the largest in Saxony. Diagonally opposite, Lohmen Castle rises on a rocky outcrop.

Castle and Wesenitz in Lohmen, Saxony.

Source: imago/Volker Preußer

Otherwise, the community is rather rural, surrounded by fields, forests, and a small hill range. The famous Malerweg circular hiking trail starts here with a first stage. If you're driving to the Bastei, you'll pass through Lohmen. Along the way, you could visit the nearby medieval Neurathen Castle and the rock formations of the Liebethal and Uttewalder Grund areas, with their rock gates.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for Saxon Switzerland at reisereporter, and the best travel deals on our deals page .