Saxony
5
Day Itinerary •
Germany
Five days in Saxony gives you the full extraordinary depth of eastern Germany's finest cultural region, from the rebuilt baroque splendour of Dresden and the dramatic rock formations of Saxon Switzerland through the birthplace of European porcelain at Meissen, the Bach heritage of Leipzig and the extraordinary GDR monuments of Chemnitz to the folk craft tradition of the Erzgebirge mountains on the Czech border. This route covers the complete Saxony experience from the treasure chambers of the Dresden Royal Palace and the dramatic Elbe sandstone landscape to the world-class Bach and Mendelssohn heritage of Leipzig, the extraordinary Renaissance castle at Augustusburg and the wooden nutcracker workshops of the Erzgebirge. Five days in the most culturally extraordinary region in eastern Germany.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train to Dresden from Berlin or Frankfurt
Getting Around
Saxony regional ticket, car for Erzgebirge
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 300 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate
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
MEISSEN AND THE SAXON WINE COUNTRY
MORNING
MEISSEN, THE HOME OF EUROPEAN PORCELAIN
Meissen is the most extraordinary craft town in Germany, the birthplace of European hard-paste porcelain, invented here in 1708 by Johann Friedrich Bottger under orders from Augustus the Strong. The extraordinary Meissen Porcelain Manufactory museum is the finest industrial heritage attraction in Saxony, its demonstration of the hand-painting process, the extraordinary original mould collections and the remarkable showrooms giving the finest porcelain experience in Europe. Entry approx 15 euros. Train/Travel: 45 min train
MIDDAY
THE ALBRECHTSBURG AND THE SAXON ELBE VALLEY
The Albrechtsburg castle above Meissen is the most extraordinary late Gothic secular building in Germany, its extraordinary hall system of interconnected vaulted spaces created by Master Arnold von Westfalen in 1471 giving it an architectural innovation without parallel in German Gothic. The extraordinary view over the Elbe valley and the Meissen Dom adjacent make it the finest castle hill in Saxony. Entry to castle approx 8 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE SAXON WINE ROUTE AND THE SCHLOSS PROSCHWITZ ESTATE
The Saxon wine region along the Elbe between Meissen and Dresden is the most northerly wine region in Germany and the finest producer of Muller-Thurgau, Riesling and Elbling in the country. The Schloss Proschwitz estate near Meissen is the finest wine producer in Saxony, its extraordinary castle setting and the remarkable Elbe valley terraced vineyards giving the finest wine estate experience in eastern Germany. Wine tasting approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains Hiking Trail above Meissen gives the most extraordinary walking above the Saxon wine country, its extraordinary red sandstone outcrop formations, the Spaargebirge ridge walk and the remarkable view of both Meissen and Dresden from the Ziegelberg height making it the finest half-day walk in the Saxon Elbe valley. The trail connects Meissen with Diesbar-Seusslitz through extraordinary mature oak and beech woodland. Entirely free. Allow 4 hours return from Meissen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Domkeller, Meissen Outstanding Saxon breakfast below the extraordinary Dom and Albrechtsburg castle. Local honey and bread. | Lunch: Vineria Schloss Proschwitz Outstanding Saxon wine estate lunch with extraordinary Elbe views. Local Riesling and estate charcuterie. | Dinner: Historisches Weinrestaurant Vincenz Richter The finest historic restaurant in Meissen since 1523. Outstanding Saxon venison and Meissen Riesling.
DAY 5
CHEMNITZ AND THE SAXON INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
MORNING
CHEMNITZ AND THE KARL MARX MONUMENT, THE FINEST SOVIET MONUMENT IN GERMANY
Chemnitz, formerly Karl-Marx-Stadt under the GDR, contains the most extraordinary Soviet-era monument in Germany, the extraordinary 7.1-metre bronze head of Karl Marx by Lev Kerbel installed in 1971 on the largest raised pedestal in Germany inscribed with Workers of all Countries Unite in four languages. The extraordinary Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz and the remarkable industrial quarter around the former Karl-Marx-Stadt railway station give the finest GDR heritage experience outside Berlin. Entry to gallery approx 10 euros. Train/Travel: 1 hour train
MIDDAY
SCHLOSS AUGUSTUSBURG, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY RENAISSANCE CASTLE IN SAXONY
Schloss Augustusburg on its extraordinary 516-metre basalt cone above the Zschopau valley is the most extraordinary Renaissance hunting castle in Saxony, its extraordinary courtyard with the finest Renaissance well-house in Germany, the remarkable motorcycle museum with the finest collection of DKW and MZ motorcycles in the world and the extraordinary falconry displays making it the finest hilltop castle in the Erzgebirge. Entry approx 12 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE ERZGEBIRGE AND THE FINEST FOLK CRAFT TRADITION IN GERMANY
The Erzgebirge mountain range on the Czech border is the most extraordinary folk craft region in Germany, its extraordinary tradition of wooden figurines, nutcrackers, incense smokers and the Christmas pyramid lanterns produced in the mountain workshops since the 16th century giving it the finest artisan heritage in Saxony. The extraordinary Erzgebirge open-air museum at Frohnau near Annaberg gives the finest overview of the silver mining and craft tradition. Entry approx 7 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Annaberg-Buchholz St Anne's church in the Erzgebirge is the finest late Gothic hall church in Saxony, its extraordinary 20-metre nave vault, the remarkable Beautiful Door carved in 1512 and the extraordinary miners' altar depicting life in the 16th-century silver mines making it the finest single interior in the Erzgebirge. The adjacent Erzgebirge Museum documents the remarkable silver and folk craft tradition of the mountains. Entry to church free, museum approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel Mercure, Chemnitz Outstanding breakfast before the Karl Marx monument visit. Simple good food in the finest hotel in Chemnitz. | Lunch: Schloss Augustusburg restaurant Outstanding Saxon lunch in the extraordinary Renaissance castle restaurant. Local venison. | Dinner: Brasserie Foersters, Chemnitz The finest restaurant in Chemnitz. Outstanding Saxon regional cuisine and local Erzgebirge produce.
Where To Stay
Dresden, Nights 1 to 3 Hotel Taschenbergpalais or Steigenberger. Approx 100 to 300 euros per night. Leipzig, Night 4 Hotel Fuerstenhof or Motel One. Approx 80 to 200 euros per night. Chemnitz or Meissen, Night 5 Schloss Augustusburg hotel or Meissen guesthouse. Approx 60 to 150 euros.
Top Tips
1. Schloss Augustusburg motorcycle museum: the finest MZ and DKW collection in the world. Extraordinary for car fans.
2. Meissen Porcelain Manufactory: the hand-painting demonstration is extraordinary. Book the English tour ahead.
3. Erzgebirge craft workshops: buy direct from the Seiffen village workshops. The nutcrackers and smokers are finest here.
4. Saxon Switzerland hiking: the Malerweg painters trail is 112km of extraordinary sandstone landscape. Download map.
5. Leipzig Passage arcades: the Maedlerpassage at Christmas with its extraordinary decorations is the finest in Germany.
6. Karl Marx Monument Chemnitz: the selfie with the bronze head is obligatory. The monument is free and extraordinary.
Total Budget
60 to 295 EUR/day