Saxony
3
Day Itinerary •
Germany
Three days in Saxony reveal the most extraordinary combination of baroque splendour, dramatic rock landscapes and musical heritage in eastern Germany. Dresden's rebuilt Frauenkirche, the Zwinger palace with the Sistine Madonna, the extraordinary sandstone pinnacles of Saxon Switzerland at the Bastei, the Bach church of Thomaskirche in Leipzig and the finest monument in Germany at the Battle of Nations memorial are all within reach of a Dresden base. This route moves from the extraordinary baroque cityscape of Dresden through the dramatic sandstone landscape of Saxon Switzerland National Park to the musical and literary heritage of Leipzig, covering the finest highlights of the most culturally rich region of eastern Germany in three extraordinary days.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train to Dresden from Berlin, 2 hours, or fly to Dresden Airport
Getting Around
S-Bahn to Saxon Switzerland, ICE to Leipzig
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 290 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, some rock walking in Saxon Switzerland
DAY 1
DRESDEN
MORNING
HE DRESDEN FRAUENKIRCHE AND THE BRUEHL TERRACE, THE FINEST BAROQUE CITYSCAPE IN GERMAN
Dresden's Frauenkirche, rebuilt after destruction in 1945 and reopened in 2005, is the most extraordinary church restoration in Germany, its extraordinary baroque dome and the remarkable black stones from the original church integrated into the new sandstone facade giving it a unique patina of old and new. The Bruehl Terrace promenade above the Elbe with its extraordinary view of the Dresden skyline is the finest urban panorama in eastern Germany. Church entry free, tower approx 8 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE ZWINGER PALACE AND THE FINEST OLD MASTERS COLLECTION IN GERMANY
The Zwinger is the most extraordinary baroque palace complex in Germany, its extraordinary nymphenbad grotto fountain courtyard, the Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister containing the finest collection of Old Masters in Germany including Raphael's Sistine Madonna, and the extraordinary porcelain collection of Augustus the Strong making it the finest single museum complex in eastern Germany. Day pass approx 14 euros. Book ahead in summer. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE DRESDEN NEUSTADT AND THE FINEST ALTERNATIVE NEIGHBOURHOOD IN SAXONY
The Dresden Neustadt across the Augustus Bridge is the most extraordinary alternative and independent neighbourhood in Saxony, its extraordinary Kunsthofpassage with its musical drainpipes, the Scheune cultural centre, the remarkable independent shops and cafes of the Alaunstrasse and the Bunte Republik Neustadt festival making it the finest neighbourhood experience in Dresden. The Kunsthofpassage courtyard art installations are extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Dresden Green Vault in the Royal Palace is the most extraordinary treasure chamber in Europe, its extraordinary collection of 4,000 works of art from the court of Augustus the Strong including the most famous jewel in Germany, the Dresden Green Diamond, and the extraordinary court of Delhi at the Mogul's birthday table with 137 figures entirely encrusted with precious stones. Historic Green Vault entry approx 14 euros. Book months ahead as numbers are strictly limited.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Schinkelwache, Theaterplatz Outstanding Dresden breakfast facing the extraordinary Semperoper opera house. Local pastries and Meissen china. | Lunch: Sophienkeller, Taschenbergpalais Outstanding Saxon cuisine in the most extraordinary themed restaurant in Dresden. Local game and Saxon wine. | Dinner: Kastenmeiers, Altstadt The finest fish restaurant in Dresden on the Elbe. Outstanding Elbe trout and Saxon Riesling.
DAY 2
SAXON SWITZERLAND
MORNING
THE BASTEI BRIDGE AND THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ROCK FORMATION IN GERMANY
The Bastei above the Elbe in Saxon Switzerland National Park is the most extraordinary rock formation in Germany, its extraordinary sandstone pillars rising 194 metres above the Elbe, the historic Bastei Bridge connecting the pinnacles across a 40-metre void and the extraordinary view over the Elbe valley, the Lilienstein table mountain and the Schrammsteine rock labyrinth making it the finest viewpoint in eastern Germany. Entry to Bastei area free, bridge approx 2.50 euros. Train/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
KONIGSTEIN FORTRESS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HILLTOP FORT IN GERMANY
Konigstein Fortress on its 240-metre sandstone table mountain above the Elbe is the most extraordinary fortress in Germany, its extraordinary 750-metre perimeter wall enclosing 50 buildings, its remarkable history as the only Prussian fortress never captured in battle and the extraordinary deep well at 152.5 metres, the second deepest in the world at the time of drilling in 1569, making it the finest hilltop fortress in Germany. Entry approx 11 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min boat
AFTERNOON
BAD SCHANDAU AND THE KIRNITZSCHTAL TRAM
Bad Schandau is the finest spa town in Saxon Switzerland, its extraordinary historic tram line running 8km into the extraordinary Kirnitzsch gorge through sandstone canyon walls to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall, the most extraordinary waterfall accessible by public transport in Germany. The tram has operated continuously since 1898. Entry free to gorge, tram approx 5 euros return.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Schrammsteine rock labyrinth near Bad Schandau is the most extraordinary and least visited rock landscape in Saxon Switzerland, its extraordinary network of narrow gorges, cave passages and pinnacle climbs through the finest sandstone geology in Germany giving a wilderness experience entirely unlike the more famous Bastei. The Schrammsteinaussicht viewpoint above the labyrinth gives the finest view of the Elbe valley. The approach walk from Ostrauer Muehle takes 90 minutes. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lindenhof, Rathen Outstanding breakfast in the extraordinary Elbe village below the Bastei. Local Saxon bread and cherry jam. | Lunch: Berghotel Bastei Outstanding Saxon lunch at the extraordinary viewpoint restaurant above the Elbe. Local venison. | Dinner: Wirtshaus zum Gutschaenker, Konigstein Outstanding Saxon dinner below the extraordinary fortress. Local river fish and Saxon wine.
DAY 3
LEIPZIG
MORNING
THE THOMASKIRCHE AND THE BACH MUSEUM, THE GREATEST MUSICAL HERITAGE IN GERMANY
The Thomaskirche in Leipzig is the most extraordinary musical building in Germany, the church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as Thomaskantor from 1723 until his death in 1750 and where the extraordinary Leipzig Thomanerchor, the finest boy choir in the world, has sung every Friday and Saturday since 1212. Bach is buried in the chancel. The adjacent Bach Museum is the finest museum dedicated to a single composer anywhere in the world. Church entry free, museum approx 10 euros. Train/Travel: 1.5 hours train
MIDDAY
THE MONUMENT TO THE BATTLE OF NATIONS, THE LARGEST MONUMENT IN EUROPE
The Volkerschlachtdenkmal, the Monument to the Battle of Nations commemorating Napoleon's defeat in 1813, is the largest monument in Europe at 91 metres, its extraordinary dark granite exterior, the extraordinary crypt with its warrior figures reflected in the pool and the remarkable view from the summit over the Leipzig basin making it the finest single monument in Germany. Entry approx 10 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min tram
AFTERNOON
THE PLAGWITZ QUARTER AND THE KARL-HEINE-CANAL
Plagwitz is the most extraordinary post-industrial neighbourhood in Germany, its extraordinary 19th-century cotton mills and engineering works converted into the finest art galleries, concert venues and creative studios in Saxony along the remarkable Karl-Heine-Canal. The Werk 2 cultural centre, the Bowlingtreff and the extraordinary Westwerk give the finest alternative culture experience in Leipzig. Entry free throughout.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Leipzig Passage arcades, a network of extraordinary glass-roofed shopping passages built between 1894 and 1914 connecting the major streets of the city centre, are the finest historic commercial arcade system in Germany, their extraordinary art nouveau and historicist interiors, the Maedlerpassage with Auerbachs Keller below and the Stalactite Passage with its extraordinary ceiling moulding giving the finest architectural pedestrian experience in Saxony. Entry free throughout.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kaffeehaus Riquet, Leipzig The finest historic cafe in Leipzig since 1908. Outstanding Art Nouveau interior and extraordinary coffee. | Lunch: Auerbachs Keller, Leipzig The most historic restaurant in Germany, in operation since 1530 and immortalised by Goethe in Faust. | Dinner: Stadtpfeiffer, Leipzig The finest restaurant in Leipzig. Outstanding Saxon cuisine. One Michelin star. Book ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Dresden, All 3 Nights Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski or Steigenberger. Approx 100 to 300 euros per night. Neustadt option Arthotel Dresden or Motel One. Approx 70 to 150 euros. Best for Neustadt evenings. Budget Generator Hostel Dresden or Kangaroo-Stop. Approx 20 to 50 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Dresden Green Vault: book months ahead at skd.museum. Numbers strictly limited. The finest treasure in Germany.
2. Bastei bridge: arrive before 9am in summer. The extraordinary rock formations before the tour groups is remarkable.
3. Thomaskirche Thomanerchor: performances Friday 6pm and Saturday 3pm. Free entry. Book seat ahead online.
4. Auerbachs Keller Leipzig: the oldest restaurant in Germany. Book ahead. The Faust connection is extraordinary.
5. Zwinger Gemaldegalerie: the Sistine Madonna by Raphael requires its own room. Allow 2 hours for the collection.
6. Dresden Striezelmarkt Christmas market: the oldest Christmas market in Germany since
1434. Extraordinary in December.
Total Budget
60 to 285 EUR/day