What to do and see in Saxony, Germany: The Best Places and Tips

February 9, 2018 Esmeralda Fenner

The Free State of Saxony (German: Freistaat Sachsen [ˈfʁaɪ̯ʃtaːt ˈzaksn̩]; Upper Sorbian: Swobodny stat Sakska) is a landlocked federal state of Germany, bordering the federal states of Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, and Bavaria, as well as the countries of Poland (Lower Silesian and Lubusz Voivodeships) and the Czech Republic (Karlovy Vary, Liberec and Ústí nad Labem Regions). Its capital is Dresden, and its largest city is Leipzig.
Restaurants in Saxony

1. Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Saxon Switzerland National Park | An der Elbe 4, 01814 Bad Schandau, Saxony, Germany +49 35022 90060
Excellent
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5 based on 226 reviews

Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Reviewed By PeterAZ - Scottsdale

This is almost like being in another world as there are these high jagged peaks rising from the valley floor far below. They have built a paved walkway so it is very easy to walk from one peak to another with a constantly changing view and each one brilliant. The trail goes all the way down to the valley but be warned there are lots of steps and it is far easier going down than coming back up.

2. Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister

Theaterplatz 1 | Semperbau am Zwinger, 01067 Dresden, Saxony, Germany +49 351 49146679
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1 reviews

Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister

This art museum is jam packed with masterpieces by the likes of Rubens and Titian, but it is most famous for Rafael's Sistine Madonna.

Reviewed By cameronjflint - Sydney, Australia

We spent a very enjoyable two hours here, on a rainy December day in Dresden. If it weren't for the kids (in particular, our 6yo boy) getting a little tired, we could easily have spent several hours more. A well laid-out gallery, containing several masterpieces by the Old Masters... yet not overwhelmingly immense, and pleasingly devoid of big crowds.
I particularly enjoyed seeing Titian's 'The Tribute Money', Vermeer's 'The Procuress', Liotard's 'The Chocolate Girl' and Rubens' 'Old Lady with a Basket of Coal'. Plus several winners from Cranach, Rembrandt and Botticelli. Oh, and there's a little painting called 'The Sistine Madonna' by Raphael here... famous for it's two cheeky cherubs.

3. Horch Museum

Audistr. 7, 08058 Zwickau, Saxony, Germany +49 375 27173810
Excellent
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5 based on 192 reviews

Horch Museum

Reviewed By pore - Goldau, Switzerland

The Horch Automuseum (car museum) is located in the old factory of Audi cars which were produced here before WWII. It shows all makes of Auto Union (Horch, Wanderer, DKW, Audi) and also some cars which were produced after the war at Zwickau (Trabant also called Trabi).
In summer 2017 this museum will even be more interesting as they are adding the Trabant collection of the old Trabant workers which is actually based on an other exhibition.
As Zwickau was the main car making city in Germany (there is still a VW factory) this is the best place to show such a collection of cars.
This museum is recommended to people of all ages who are interested in cars.
pore

4. Leipzig Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Leipzig)

Pfaffendorfer-Strasse 29, 04105, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany +49 341 5933500
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1 reviews

Leipzig Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Leipzig)

Reviewed By guldestebasak - Istanbul, Turkey

Leipzig zoo is located in the heart of the city. Animals are kept in their natural habitats with plenty of space to roam around.The zoo features a wide variety of animals from different regions and continents of the world. You need to spend a couple hours to see all the animals.There are many cafes and restaurants to spend time in the zoo. Tram No:2 will take you directly to the tram stop "Zoo" which is 3 stops away from the central station.The entrance fee to the zoo is a reasonable price. There are different pavilions including , Gondwana pavilion in which you can stroll through it or take a boat trip. Gondwana , the tropical world of Leipzig Zoo,is home to many exotic animals and plant species.You can explore the rain forest or jungle trails there.Inside a vast dome you feel like you are in the tropical rain Forests. Komodo dragons, Caiman crocodiles, orangutans, chimps, gorillas and pandas can be explored in this huge zoo by following a jungle path or treetop trail. The greenhouse with its exotic plants and the aquarium with its fish,amphibians,reptiles and sharks are also worth seeing. You should not miss kaola bear, big cats (tigers, snow lepoard, African leopard, lions, cheetas) and Pangealand where where monkeys live in their natural habitats.The map of the zoo is very useful to explore all these attractions.

An der Peterskirche, Gorlitz, Saxony, Germany +49 3581 4287000
Excellent
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4.5 based on 154 reviews

Peterskirche Gorlitz

Reviewed By Andrew O - Paphos, Cyprus

I went to see the famous Sun Organ and was not disappointed. It cost €1,500,000 to refurbish it recently and it looks magnificent so I couldn't resist making a small contribution. Unfortunately there was no performance that day but I will return to bear this huge beast!

6. Colditz Castle

Schlossgasse 1 | Colditz, 04680 Colditz, Saxony, Germany +49 4934 38143777
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4.5 based on 389 reviews

Colditz Castle

Reviewed By Marion H

You can see the castle from far enough but finding the car park is not quite so easy. The whole experience was brilliant from start to finish. We didn't pre-book a tour but didn't have to wait (this was end of October). Our English speaking guide Alex (complete with Yorkshire accent) really knew his stuff. There are two tours one takes you up the stairs to see the replica glider the other has less stairs so more suited if you have mobility issues. There is as you would expect not really any room to adapt for wheelchair access as there are steps everywhere I wouldn't advise as a disabled visit.
The museum is fascinating with loads of the original highly inventive tools made by the prisoners even a sewing machine made from wood!
The town square next to the castle is worth a visit lots of coffee and food shops and plenty of parking. Also worth noting the Blue Badge is valid in Europe at least for now.

7. Furst-Puckler-Park Bad Muskau

Orangerie, 02953 Bad Muskau, Saxony, Germany +49 35771 5200
Excellent
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4.5 based on 128 reviews

Furst-Puckler-Park Bad Muskau

Reviewed By Andie G - Berlin, Germany

At his home in Bad Muskau, Hermann Fürst von Pückler-Muskau has conceived and achieved a natural looking landscape garden that continues the tradition that 'Capability' Brown started in England. Walking around the grounds of his Schloss at Bad Muskau you could be convinced that you'd somehow wandered into the parkland around Blenheim palace or Chatsworth House.
Though artificially planned and constructed, the park feels harmonious with nature, with thoughtfully balanced features. Following the paths around the park reveals both suddenly revealed aspects and vistas of rolling meadows. Great for an afternoon stroll and picnic, or a guided tour in a horse-drawn carriage. All very civilised!
Once the battle-line between German and Soviet forces, then the barrier between Poland and East Germany, since re-unification the Schloss and park have been meticulously renovated. The park has been justly recognised by UNESCO as an example of Poland and Germany working together post-unification, and with the EU borders now free to wander across the park show-cases the implementation of the European Union vision.
The Gardens of Blenheim may be equally as gorgeous, but you don't enter a different country just by crossing the small River Glyme!

8. Saxon Switzerland National Park

01814, Saxony, Germany +49 35022 900600
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5 based on 355 reviews

Saxon Switzerland National Park

Reviewed By Gregory D - New Lambton

We really didn't know a great deal about this national park, but we ended up riding through it over two days of our bike ride. However, we did visit the superb national park information centre and were completely impressed by the quality of presentation and information on lots of aspects of the park, including lots in English in a written guide and films. Certainly, it has inspired us to come back to hike in and explore this amazing region. Certainly the scenery we saw from our bikes was spectacular.

9. Bastei

Bastei 12, 01847 Bad Schandau, Saxony, Germany +49 3501 470147
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4.5 based on 758 reviews

Bastei

A spectacular lookout point providing breathtaking views of the Elbe River and the surrounding countryside.

Reviewed By TallTraveller274 - Worcester, United Kingdom

Not a comfortable experience for those with a fear of heights, but unquestionably a dramatic natural phenomenon. You can take good pictures without going too near the edge, while for those with nerves of steel there is the narrow bridge between the sandstone cliffs.

10. Green Vault

Taschenberg 2, 01067 Dresden, Saxony, Germany +49 351 49143231
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1 reviews

Green Vault

Reviewed By Rita R - Thousand Oaks, California

This is my favorite museum which has two sections. I recommend both as each one is unique and you can buy a combined ticket which is valid for the day. I find the combination of technical prowess, artistry, the details involved in the exhibits are astounding. I found the clock room amazing. The scene from Indian Emperor Akbar's court is breathtaking when you examine all the details, particularly since was created based on conversations with traders who described the scenes of the Orient. A must see while in Dresden.

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