Winter

Theodor Körner had discovered a "place of power and splendor of nature" in 1806: Schandau. The poet was still a student, but the former boatmen's town was already a popular travel destination. Later, the refuge, charmingly located in the valleys of the Elbe and Kirnitzsch, was ennobled as a "Bad" (spa). Perhaps it is the panorama, perhaps the clear air, perhaps the immediate proximity to the wilderness of the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz (Rear Saxon Switzerland) - the fact is: Bad Schandau does you good. You cannot measure that. Only feel it.

In the hustle and bustle of summer, the wondrous healing power of the famous spa town is almost a little lost. In the peace and clarity of winter, it is all the more effective. During hikes through the nearby core zone of the national park, silence settles like balm on the mind and senses. Thoughts can be thought through to the end and new ideas emerge. Rest, movement and creativity: These are also the themes of the invigorating offers with which Bad Schandau invites you to a winter break. Check in, take a deep breath, recharge your batteries: Bad Schandau looks forward to seeing you!

The views at the Bastei and the Bastei bridge itself are deserted, the first rays of sunlight play around the rocks, the mist billows mystically in the Elbe valley, and nature softly sings its song.
Those who visit the Bastei in the summer months experience this in the morning and evening hours. A real insider tip is the winter season. Here it exists: the other side of the Bastei. This time cannot be beaten for peace and  tranquility. Nature = recharging batteries - there is no faster way to slow down. 

The Berghotel & Panoramarestaurant Bastei offers its guests a "hot and cold" stay: relaxing walks in the heart of the Saxon Switzerland National Park, a panoramic sauna & steam bath, as well as a bath in the cedar wood tub of the wellness area with a concluding pampering menu in the world-famous panorama restaurant. The mountain hotel on the Bastei is the perfect place in the cold season to recharge your batteries and escape the stress of everyday life for a few days. Enjoy the other side of the Bastei for yourself!

Warm light falls from the shop windows of small boutiques onto the cobblestones of narrow alleys wet from sleet. Red and yellow Herrnhut stars shine over romantic courtyards. Chilled city strollers gather in cozy cafes for "a cup of hot coffee and a piece of Eierschecke": Pirna is Saxon coziness turned into stone. The streets and houses of the historic old town tell tales from a time when pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages determined the pace of a city.

Pirna is almost 800 years old, and every corner of the jewel on the Elbe River tells a part of this long and multifaceted history. The city is small enough for a relaxing break and large enough for a year-round offering of culture, creativity, and culinary delights. As the gateway to Saxon Switzerland, Pirna is an ideal place for excursions into the surrounding area. To the west, it is just a stone's throw to Dresden; to the east, it is a short distance to the winter hiking wonderland of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Discover a great little city with heart!

From November onwards, when the swathes of mist drift over the Elbe valley at sunrise, the rocky landscape appears mystically beautiful. The mountain fortress also seems to breathe a sigh of relief. Those who want to take a break will find a mixture of nature experience, culture, and culinary delights here. Those seeking relaxation can discover hidden favorite spots undisturbed, roam through the fortress forest, explore the exhibitions, or warm up in a rustic tavern. A walk along the fortress wall is also highly recommended, offering the visitor a fantastic panoramic view 247 m high above the Elbe. 

The bizarre rocky world now shows itself from its wild and romantic side. Everywhere on the table mountain there are unique photo motifs that are not obstructed by tourists. Only for the historical-romantic Christmas market "Königstein – a Winter Fairy Tale" does the 9.5 ha fortress plateau briefly become lively. Surrounded by a magnificent cultural heritage, it is one of the most beautiful Advent markets in Germany. But Königstein is more than just the fortress. The town, which is a few kilometers away, also celebrates winter. With an ice rink, it invites you to ice skate by the Elbe. Königstein is simply beautiful in winter!

That moment when the crispy cube of white bread sinks into melted cheese and shortly afterwards resurfaces as a steaming, aromatically fragrant little ball; accompanied by fresh mountain air, candlelight, a robust red wine and a tiled stove in which a wood fire crackles: A hut evening with Swiss cheese fondue at the Bergwirtschaft Papststein in Saxon Switzerland is probably one of the most beautiful ways of all to bring a winter hike to a close. The Papststein is the most popular excursion mountain in the municipality of Gohrisch and its rustic mountain inn is a legend.

The region, which lies in the south of Saxon Switzerland, somewhat off the beaten tourist track, is also known as the "Realm of the Stones". Realm of the Stones, because its heart, the village of Gohrisch, is surrounded by half a dozen table mountains. This makes the region a particularly attractive winter hiking area. Dense forest, open countryside and fantastic views alternate. And those who set their minds to it can storm several peaks at once during a hike. The icing on the cake of winter happiness in Gohrisch is a cross-country skiing tour along the foot of the table mountains.

It is a magical moment: Slowly and almost silently, the historical reaction ferry glides across the Elbe. Driven solely by the power of the water, it takes the passengers right into a postcard setting of rocks, forest, and a handful of houses. The river sparkles peacefully in the winter sun. Like a wall, the Bastei massif rises into the sky on the other bank. And the crossing is not just a necessity. It is also a ritual – an invitation to shift down a gear.  

Felsenbühne, Amselsee, "Schwedenlöcher" on the one hand, the Rauenstein with a wonderful ridge walk on the other: Kurort Rathen, with its two districts separated by the Elbe, is a tourist hotspot in the summer. Tourism in the region began here over 200 years ago. And to this day, the smallest municipality in Saxony is a must-see. As a refuge in the cold season, the health resort is still an insider tip. Here, the lovers of tranquility and winter romantics are among themselves. Magical winter hiking trails on both sides of the Elbe, breathtaking panoramas, crystal-clear air, and relaxed hosts – Kurort Rathen keeps what its ferry promises: deceleration. 

The crystal-clear Gottleuba peacefully babbles coming from the Eastern Ore Mountains towards the Elbe. It has made itself beautiful over the millennia: Its valley is a romantic hiking area with ever new impressions. Iron ore mining brought life and prosperity. Healing springs brought a flourishing spa industry. The twin health resort Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel lives and tells of this fascinating past.

Elbe Sandstone Mountains or Ore Mountains, Saxony or Bohemia, health or hiking holiday, wellness or culture, above or below ground: The small town with its two historic town centers and the visitor mine "Marie Louise Stolln" offers the choice. Even in winter. A dense network of well-signposted hiking and terrain cure trails invites you to explore the varied landscape even in the cold season. And music night, miner's Christmas shifts (Mettenschichten), Advent markets, carnival events, piano evenings, readings, diverse evening concerts as well as restaurants with excellent regional cuisine shorten long evenings.

A bit of jerking and squeaking is to be expected when the elderly lady leans into the curve. Legitimate at her age. What hasn't she witnessed! The German Empire, world wars, floods, rockfalls, mudslides, film productions. The world and the fashion of the excursionists have changed since the maiden voyage of the Kirnitzschtalbahn in 1898. What has remained is the stunning charm of the valley and its cozy means of transport. Both invite you to slow down, especially in winter.

On both sides of the Kirnitzsch river lies one of the most beautiful and versatile winter hiking areas of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Schrammsteine, Kuhstall, Bärenfangwände, Hinteres Raubschloss, and Großer Zschand: Some of the region's most spectacular destinations are accessible from here. Numerous lovingly run inns, guesthouses, and hotels offer tired and hungry hikers a warm welcome all year round. A true insider tip for city escapists!

Petal by petal, a rose blossom grows in loving hands in a matter of minutes. There are only a few places left in the world where one can observe this fascinating process. One of them is Sebnitz. The art of silk flower making has been cultivated here since 1834. The Deutsche Kunstblume Sebnitz manufactory provides exciting insights into this rare craft. This, in combination with interesting museums and the SoliVital sports and leisure center, makes the city a worthwhile destination in any weather. 

Always during Advent, a beautiful and little-known local Christmas folk art enchants children and adults here: the Sebnitz shadow plays. Candlelight brings filigree silhouette scenes to life. The tranquil Christmas market on the second weekend of Advent is also entirely dedicated to this tradition, which is unique in Germany. But the city's real trump card is its location. The "German Hiking Capital 2016" is an ideal starting point for winter exploration tours to particularly quiet nooks and crannies of the National Park region. You won't find more of Saxon Switzerland anywhere else!

This panorama! In the foreground, rocks and wooded valley slopes, behind them plateaus with fields and small cottages as splashes of color, in the distance a backdrop of mighty table mountains. The natural beauty of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in hibernation presents itself majestically from the Brand near Hohnstein. Its spectacular 180-degree panorama has earned the viewpoint the nickname "Balcony of Saxon Switzerland." The path from the castle town here is one of the most popular routes for winter hikers: easy to reach, well developed, and featuring a cozy lodge where a log fire crackles.

Hohnstein and the surrounding area attract visitors all year round with this and other fantastic tours. The main hiking attraction is the Saxon Switzerland National Park, which begins here, with idyllic gorges and valleys as well as the mysterious Gautschgrotte, where a huge pillar of ice forms in some winters. The local puppet carving and puppetry tradition surrounding the famous Kasper is also worth seeing. Wilderness and craftsmanship lie close together in Hohnstein.

Is there a treasure slumbering beneath Neustadt in Saxony? Quite possibly! For centuries, miners and soldiers of fortune have searched for gold here, on the border between the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the Lusatian Highlands – and sometimes they even found it. But the work was arduous and the yield was low. To this day, no one has struck the gold vein suspected to be here. That also had its good side: the tranquil small town was able to maintain its peace.

Thanks to its location on the edge, Neustadt is one of the insider tips among winter holiday destinations in Saxon Switzerland. Those looking for peace and quiet will find it on one of the lonely winter hiking routes through the idyllic surroundings. Popular tours include trips to the Unger (538 meters) or the Götzingerhöhe (425 meters). Regional visitor magnets include the tropical Mariba sauna and bathing paradise and the Neustadthalle with its multifaceted cultural program. There is also one of the few ski slopes with a lift in the region. And the story of the gold? That is told in the Gold Museum located here.

What fascinating formations! Two massive rock pillars soar into the winter sky like weathered statues, slightly lopsided and with heads that seem far too heavy. As a result, they appear strong and fragile at the same time. The "Hercules Columns" are among the most spectacular rocks in Saxon Switzerland. They are not only popular climbing peaks, but also the landmarks of a winter hiking paradise that is still an insider tip: Rosenthal-Bielatal.

The municipality is located in the south of the region, almost in the Czech Republic, somewhat off the beaten tourist path. Those seeking silence will find it here. You can often hike for hours without encountering a single soul. In the process, the landscape reveals itself to be as diverse as in hardly any other place in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Open hill country, a wild world of rocks, and deeply carved valleys with murmuring streams repeatedly create new picturesque scenery. There are also adventurous paths with steps and ladders high up to uplifting views. And those who have their accommodation in Rosenthal-Bielatal can start walking right from their front door. So lace up your hiking boots and step into winter hiking bliss!

Stolpen is fascinating. Everywhere in the town, the angular columns made of a black and hard material from the depths of the earth can be found. They are the relics of a massive volcanic eruption many millions of years ago. It was here that the rock was researched for the first time and named "basalt". The 800-year-old settlement with its curiously crooked market square and handsome townhouses would have countless other exciting stories to tell: of Slavs, Hussites, French and Prussians, of plague, city fires and sieges. Most guests, however, are only interested in one: the tragedy of Countess Cosel. Her moving fate is the main theme of the castle museum.

But Stolpen is not just geology and history. Stolpen is also arts and crafts. It is one of the most important places for traditional Ore Mountain folk art in the region. In the Ratags show workshop, delicate fretwork and wood-turning work is transformed into filigree candle arches, pyramids, incense smokers and much more. Every day except Mondays, visitors can watch the craftswomen create imaginative, three-dimensional, unique pieces from countless individual parts. In the factory outlet, the entire variety of the traditional company is then available to choose from.

Majestically, Weesenstein Castle rises on a mighty rock above the romantic Müglitz Valley, which is considered the most beautiful valley in Saxony. Especially in the winter months, this place holds a special magic. While sleeping on the outside, life pulses within the castle walls. Many events and guided tours attract numerous visitors. Readings and concerts during Advent, the children's New Year's Eve popular with the whole family, the Weesenstein witches' carnival, and exhibitions and matinees provide cultural highlights on the edge of Saxon Switzerland and the Eastern Ore Mountains.

The fire crackles cozily in the fireplace of the former horse stable that has been converted into a guest room. The hot chocolate steams temptingly in the mug between your hands. How good that feels after an extensive winter ramble! Reinhardtsdorf-Schöna, somewhat secluded on a plateau, about 200 meters above the Elbe valley, is an insider tip for winter connoisseurs, and the fireplace room in the Ehrlich family's Zirkelstein inn is perhaps the coziest place in town to warm up.

Reinhardtsdorf-Schöna is also called the "Municipality of the Five Stones". This refers to the table mountains Zirkelstein, Kaiserkrone, Großer Zschirnstein, Kleiner Zschirnstein, and Wolfsberg. Every single one is a worthwhile winter hiking destination. The Malerweg Elbe Sandstone Mountains runs directly through the village. In addition, there is a magical peasant baroque church here. Reinhardtsdorf-Schöna is a destination for individualists who know exactly what they want: peace, vastness, authentic village life – and honest hospitality.

In winter, the miniature park in Wehlen shines in a very special light! Changing lighting moods with impressive color variations give the sculpturally crafted model landscape, planted with bonsai trees, a very special effect. Light and shadow take on a completely new meaning through color in the dark season. Riding the park railway, one can comfortably glide past and enjoy a unique bath of color in the miniature landscape. Culinary delights are also provided! In the workshop, new sandstone models are handcrafted for the miniature park. In addition, unique decorative and art objects are constantly being handcrafted from our local sandstone and can also be customized with personal requests.

The special charm of Rammenau Baroque Castle lies in the harmonious coexistence of baroque architecture and neoclassical decoration in interaction with the idyllic landscape. Even in the cold season, the baroque castle has numerous offers ready. Gourmets will get their money's worth at breakfast and brunch in the historical ambience or at cooking evenings. Little visitors can look forward to children's castle tours and baking offers. At the annual St. Nicholas Manufactory, the castle invites you to a Christmas market with merchants from the region. 

But a visit is also worthwhile outside of events: The artfully painted rooms of the castle invite you to discover and explore – especially in the Chinese Salon of the castle, you can always discover new details in the elaborately painted canvas wallpapers. Afterwards, you can enjoy delicious cake and coffee in the historical dining salons of the castle café.