Discover Saxony: World Heritage, Trails and Landscapes

Saxony offers a wide variety of travel experiences: UNESCO cultural landscapes, museums, striking parks and trails for different activities. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether culture, landscapes or outdoor activities should be its main focus. Your interests can also help guide you in deciding where to look for accommodation.

Discover culture and history

The Dresden Zwinger is home to museums belonging to the Dresden State Art Collections, including the Porcelain Collection and the Old Masters Picture Gallery. Performances and concerts are also held at the Zwinger under the name “Zwinger Concerts.” This gives you a choice of different cultural experiences, from museum visits to a concert programme.

In Herrnhut, the local history museum tells the story of the Moravian Church and features original Biedermeier interiors. A two-hour extended guided tour is available in Herrnhut; it includes visits to the church hall, the local history museum and the cemetery. Check the current tour dates and booking options before your trip.

The Ore Mountains also combine cultural history with experiences on site. The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region is a transboundary UNESCO cultural landscape comprising 22 component parts across Saxony and the Czech Republic. In the Ore Mountains, you can go hiking, stroll through mining towns and visit underground treasure chambers. The variety of options shapes the character of an excursion: the focus could be on outdoor activity, a town stroll or a visit underground.

Parks and landscapes

The 830-hectare Muskau Park is divided by the Neisse River: one part lies in Saxony and the other in Poland. The park has ten bridges and connects Germany and Poland. It has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Homemade Prince Pückler ice cream is served at the café in the Muskau Park castle outbuilding. Check the café’s current opening details before your visit.

The Bastei Bridge offers another striking landscape scene: it spans a 194-metre-deep gorge and affords views of the rugged Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Moritzburg Castle stands symmetrically on an island amid a landscape of woodland and ponds. The two places offer contrasting highlights: views across rugged terrain at one, and an island setting surrounded by woodland and ponds at the other.

Trails for different travel plans

The Saxon section of the Elbe Cycle Route is 180 kilometres long and passes through Saxon Switzerland, Dresden and Meissen. The Painters’ Way crosses the Elbe Sandstone Mountains via narrow paths and ladders between rock crevices. Along the way, you’ll find large rock formations, dense forests, bubbling streams and panoramic views. The comparison highlights the difference between a cycling route and a trail that follows narrow paths and ladders. Check the Elbe Cycle Route’s current conditions before setting off.

For winter, there is also the Kammloipe Erzgebirge/Vogtland, a cross-country ski trail approximately 36 kilometres long. It runs between Johanngeorgenstadt and Schöneck and has been awarded the “Excellent Trail” quality designation. When choosing your destinations, you can also take the season and your preferred activity into account. Be sure to check the current trail conditions before setting off.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saxon Switzerland, Bautzen District, Ore Mountains District, Görlitz, Leipzig District, Meissen, Central Saxony, North Saxony, Vogtland, Zwickau District, Dresden, Chemnitz.