Saxon Switzerland
A hilly sandstone area and national park southeast of Dresden, known for the Bastei lookout, rock castles and hiking trails.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz) is a hilly sandstone area and national park southeast of Dresden in Saxony, Germany. The area lies on both sides of the Elbe and adjoins Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic. Its rock formations, called Steine locally, include the Königstein, Lilienstein, Gohrisch and Papststein. Königstein Fortress, described as the largest hill fortress in Europe, is the best-known landmark. Rock climbers come for about 14,000 routes on more than 1,100 rock pinnacles.
Hiking is a main reason to visit. The Bastei lookout near Rathen, with the Neurathen rock castle, is one of the main sights of the national park, and the Schrammsteine ridge in the Hinterland has a well-known viewpoint. Steep stairways with steps, ladders and railings climb the high rocks. Boat trips run from the Obere Schleuse near Hinterhermsdorf, and the Rathen Open-Air Stage is set among the rocks.
Saxon Switzerland in five
- Take the S-Bahn from DresdenThe S1 line follows the Elbe to Rathen, Königstein and Bad Schandau in roughly 30 to 50 minutes. The train is the easiest way to link the trailheads, and the regional day tickets cover it.Plan transport
- Cross the Elbe by ferry at RathenThe station at Kurort Rathen is on the opposite bank from the village, so a short ferry carries foot passengers across. It is also the start of the climb to the Bastei.
- Reach the Bastei before 10 a.m.The rock bridge and its viewpoints fill with tour groups by late morning. Walk up from Rathen for the views, and leave the bus-and-car access to others.
- Ride the Kirnitzschtal tramA historic tram runs from Bad Schandau up the Kirnitzsch valley to the Lichtenhain waterfall area. Check the timetable and season before you plan a hike from it.
- Carry ID for the Czech sideThe park adjoins Bohemian Switzerland National Park across a Schengen border. Carry your passport if you plan to cross, and use the Czech guide for logistics.Czechia travel guide
Need to know
- Airport
- Dresden (DRS); S-Bahn from the main station about 45 min to Bad Schandau
- Getting there
- S1 from Dresden to Rathen, Königstein or Bad Schandau
- Getting around
- S-Bahn, Elbe ferries, the Kirnitzschtal tram and hiking
- Best base
- Bad Schandau or Rathen for hikes; Dresden for rail-based days
- Time needed
- 1 long day; 2–3 for the Malerweg stages
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow14 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh2°Low-3°Snow, icy trailsJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, icy trails
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low1°Cool, muddyMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, muddy
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Spring, trails openAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, trails open
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Green, hikingMayRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, hiking
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Hot, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Hot, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Best hikingSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Best hiking
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Fall colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Fog, short daysNovemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, short days
- DecemberRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh3°Low-1°Quiet, coldDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
Average daily high and low in Bad Schandau, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Saxon Switzerland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Saxon Switzerland
09:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today7°2°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue7°3°3%Tuesday: Rain. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed8°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°0°0%Thursday: Fog. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°0°0%Friday: Clear. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat7°0°0%Saturday: Clear. High 7°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun4°0°8%Sunday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 09:40 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Dresdenabout 45 min by S-BahnRebuilt baroque center, museums and an Elbe riverfront.Read the guide
- Bohemian Switzerlandabout 30 min by bus or trainThe Czech half of the sandstone park, with the Pravčice gate.Read the guide
- Pragueabout 2 hours by trainA city trip from Bad Schandau on the Elbe rail line.Read the guide
Before you go to Saxon Switzerland
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Saxon Switzerland, checked
- Many non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Check entry rules before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for fire or an ambulance and 110 for police anywhere in Germany.
- Boofen, sleeping under a rock overhang, is allowed only at marked sites set by the national park authority. Illegal campfires and damage to young trees have caused repeated disputes.
- Climbers follow the Saxon Rules: no chalk, no nuts or friends, and ropes and bolts only for safety, never for moving up.
Plan around Saxon Switzerland
The Elbe city, 45 minutes by S-Bahn
Read the guideSpreewald travel guideA flat canal landscape, as a second nature stop
Read the guideLeipzig travel guideA Saxon city, about 1.5 hours from Dresden
Read the guidePrague travel guideAbout 2 hours by train
Read the guideAll of GermanyRegions, trains, entry rules and money for Germany
Read the guideEES and entry rulesWhat border registration means for a Germany trip
Read the guideSaxon Switzerland FAQ
How do you get to Saxon Switzerland from Dresden?
Take the S1 S-Bahn along the Elbe. It reaches Kurort Rathen in about 35 minutes and Bad Schandau in about 45 to 50. Check which station suits your hike, because the Bastei and the Schrammsteine are on different stops.
Is Saxon Switzerland worth visiting?
Yes for hikers. The sandstone formations, narrow gorges and rock bridges are unlike other German parks. It is a poor choice if you dislike steps, ladders or crowds on summer weekends.
How long do you need in Saxon Switzerland?
One long day covers the Bastei and a hike from Rathen. Two or three nights let you walk a section of the Malerweg trail, add Königstein or the Schrammsteine and avoid weekend crowds.
Is the Bastei bridge worth the crowds?
Yes if you go early or late. The view over the Elbe bend and the rock towers is the park's best known, but the viewing areas feel packed by late morning.
Can you do Saxon Switzerland without a car?
Yes. The S-Bahn, Elbe ferries and the Kirnitzschtal tram link the main trailheads, and most walks start at stations. A car helps only for remote villages and early starts.