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Experience Water

Small but fine is the selection of water-based activities in Saxon Switzerland. Along the Elbe, there are several boat rentals and tour operators.

Stony shores, green meadows, dense forests, behind them rugged cliffs and mighty table mountains: The 30 kilometers of the Elbe between Schmilka and Pirna are among the most scenically impressive sections of the entire river. Taking a raft, canoe or boat ride through this majestic scenery is one of the highlights of a vacation in the region.

River landscape of the Elbe with green banks, a paddle steamer on the water, wooded hills and the distinctive Lilienstein table mountain in the background.

Sedate: Steamboat and Motorboat on the Elbe

The classic way to experience the Elbe and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a trip on a historic paddle steamer. As early as 1837, a steamship departed from Dresden for the first time with Rathen as its destination. To this day, the tour is one of the highlights in the summer schedule of the Saxon Steam Navigation Company, the oldest and largest paddle steamer fleet in the world. The landscape experience here is complemented by an encounter with historic technology.

Relaxing day trips through the Saxon Switzerland region with onboard catering are also offered by Oberelbe Passenger Shipping with the MS »Sächsische Schweiz«, built in 1979, and MS »Bastei«, built in 1983. From early May to late October, there is a daily scheduled trip from Tuesday to Saturday from Pirna to Hřensko (Herrnskretschen) and back.

Close to Nature: Paddling & Canoeing on the Elbe

A sense of freedom and adventure, as well as an intense experience of nature: this is what active exploration tours with a canoe or dinghy promise. Along the Elbe today, paddlers will see a healthy ecosystem with fish, ducks, wild geese, gulls, and gray herons. Sometimes you can even observe a beaver or a kingfisher. It's hard to imagine that just thirty years ago, this body of water was one of the most polluted rivers in Western Europe. The Elbe flows at about three kilometers per hour. Those who paddle along will travel downstream at four to five kilometers per hour. Along the route, there are numerous opportunities for picnics on the green meadow. In the villages, cafés and beer gardens also invite you to stop by, so the daily stages should not be planned too ambitiously. Local providers offer kayaks, Canadian canoes, dinghies, life jackets, and waterproof packsacks. On standard routes within the region, boat transfer is usually included in the rental price.

Aerial view of two people in orange packrafts floating on calm water, paddles in hand, and looking up at the camera.
A boatman paddles tourists in an Upper Lock Boat Trip boat through a verdant, wooded gorge with rocks and calm water.

Crossing Mystical Gorges: The Upper Lock Hinterhermsdorf

Even the shady gorges and valleys of Saxon Switzerland, the moss-green realms of eternal twilight, are full of secrets. The most mystical of all gorges in Saxon Switzerland is the Kirnitzsch Gorge near Hinterhermsdorf, which can be experienced during a boat ride from the hiking destination Obere Schleuse. On both sides, steep, high rock walls rise up. Curious rock formations covered with mosses and lichens, as well as trees clinging to the rock wall with their roots, inspire the imagination. The canoeing season at the Obere Schleuse runs from Easter to the end of October.

The “Wanderschiff” excursion boat travels along the tranquil River Elbe, surrounded by green trees and steep cliffs.

Water Taxi: Hiking Boat Saxon Switzerland

The hiking boat follows the Elbe for ten kilometers. Each docking point is an attractive starting point for hikes. It runs up to four times a day from Bad Schandau via Krippen/Postelwitz and Schmilka to Hřensko (Herrnskretschen) and back.

Ferryman hol über: Ferries Saxon Switzerland

The Elbe winds through the valley in the Saxon Switzerland and divides the region into its left and right bank areas. To conveniently reach and explore both sides, there are a total of 10 ferries in the region that connect the Elbe banks - and at the same time allow for a moment of rest on the water. The change of perspective is always worth it. Tip: All ferries (except the cable ferry in Kurort Rathen) can be used free of charge with the guest card mobile.

Landscape with grapevines in the foreground and a village on a hill in the background at sunset.
A father and son sit on a lakeside jetty fishing, surrounded by nature.

Fishing Joys

In Sebnitz, Polenz or Kirnitzsch, trout, grayling or small salmon fry live everywhere. In addition to the existing fishing license, a permit is required, which can be obtained in the region.

Outdoor pools & swimming pools in Saxon Switzerland

Refreshment not only on hot days! 

Anyone looking to cool off in summer is guaranteed to find what they are seeking in Saxon Switzerland: Numerous outdoor pools and water parks offer opportunities to swim, splash about and relax. Whether you prefer a natural bathing lake, a family-friendly leisure pool or thermal spa wellness with panoramic views – here you can find the best swimming pools in Saxon Switzerland at a glance. Find your favourite pool now!

  • An outdoor pool with a yellow water slide, a large pool and a red elephant slide, surrounded by grass and trees under a cloudy sky.
    Rathewalde Water Park
    Open-air swimming pool
    Schulweg 4, 01848 Hohnstein (OT Rathewalde)
  • Forest swimming pool surrounded by trees in the sunshine.
    Polenz forest pool
    Open-air swimming pool
    Flämmigtweg 3, 01844 Neustadt in Sachsen (OT Polenz)
  • Outdoor pool surrounded by green trees and meadow, next to a house.
    Hohnstein municipal swimming pool
    Open-air swimming pool
    Am Stadtbad 1, 01848 Hohnstein
  • A calm lake with a jetty and a curved wooden bench in the foreground, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
    Outdoor swimming lake Neustadt
    Open-air swimming pool
    Rugiswalder Weg, 01844 Neustadt in Sachsen
  • Outdoor pool with yellow benches, sunflowers and a water slide, surrounded by trees and flowering plants under a blue sky.
    Outdoor pool Stadt Wehlen
    Open-air swimming pool
    Saarstraße 5, 01829 Stadt Wehlen (OT Pötzscha)
  • Outdoor pool with clear water surrounded by trees and snack bar terrace
    Outdoor pool Goßdorf
    Open-air swimming pool
    Bergstraße 35, 01848 Hohnstein (OT Goßdorf)
  • A woman in a blue top massages another woman lying on a green table in a comfortably lit spa room.
    Wellness park in the Toskana Therme
    Thermal bath/health spa
    Rudolf-Sendig-Straße 8a, 01814 Bad Schandau
  • Three children sit laughing on a black swimming tire in a blue pool; an older man sits on a bench in the background.
    Stolpen municipal swimming pool
    Open-air swimming pool
    Bahnhofstraße 14 a, 01833 Stolpen
  • Toskana Therme Bad Schandau: Bright indoor pool with blue water, surrounded by yellow sun loungers and large windows; modern, airy atmosphere with wooden ceiling.
    Toskana Therme Bad Schandau
    Thermal bath/health spa
    Rudolf-Sendig-Straße 8 a, 01814 Bad Schandau
  • Two people in swimwear sit at the edge of an indoor pool, surrounded by tropical plants and a glass roof that lets in natural light.
    Mariba Freizeitwelt Neustadt
    Indoor swimming pool/water park
    Götzingerstraße 12, 01844 Neustadt in Sachsen
  • Geibeltbad Pirna: Modern indoor pool with glass roof, blue water and several people swimming; bright, airy atmosphere with plants and deckchairs.
    Geibeltbad Pirna – Indoor swimming pool
    Thermal bath/health spa
    Rottwerndorfer Straße 56 c, 01796 Pirna
  • Calm lake with a blue water surface, a small island in the background and a cloudy sky.
    Natural swimming lake Birkwitz-Pratzschwitz
    Water sports
    Pratzschwitzer Straße 199, 01796 Pirna (OT Birkwitz)
  • A young man splashes into the water of an outdoor pool with slides and swimmers in summer fun.
    Billy leisure pool
    Open-air swimming pool
    Am Oberhammer 1, 01816 Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel (OT Berggießhübel)
  • A laughing child with curly hair plays happily in the water as it splashes; blurred green trees can be seen in the background.
    Hertigswalde outdoor pool
    Open-air swimming pool
    Albert-Kunze-Weg 30- 36, 01855 Sebnitz (OT Hertigswalde)
  • A man and a woman relax smiling in a bubbling whirlpool in front of a gray stone wall.
    Herbal vitality bath Sebnitz
    Thermal bath/health spa
    Hammerstraße 1, 01855 Sebnitz
  • A laughing toddler plays in the water, surrounded by splashing drops of water, in sunny weather with a green backdrop.
    Outdoor pool at the Kräutervitalbad Sebnitz
    Open-air swimming pool
    Hammerstraße 1, 01855 Sebnitz