The Bastei / Bastei Bridge

The most famous rock formation in Saxon Switzerland – THE most popular excursion destination in the region

Robber barons once wreaked havoc here. Then came the Romantics. Today, the Bastei is the most popular attraction. The Bastei viewpoint offers a unique panorama overlooking numerous landmarks, such as the Lilienstein and Königstein. A 76.5m-long bridge runs through the rock formation. The Bastei Bridge in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains also affords fantastic views. Other impressive vantage points, such as Ferdinandsfels and Kanapee, offer spectacular vistas across the Elbe Valley and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The best way to reach the Bastei is on foot; you will find suitable suggested routes at the very bottom.

Opening hours, travel, admission prices

How much does admission to the Bastei cost?
The highlight of Saxon Switzerland is free to visit.

When is the Bastei open?
There are no opening hours either; the Bastei is accessible at all times throughout the year.

Bastei – travelling by public transport:

Route 237 (Pirna – Bastei – Rathewalde – Hohnstein – Sebnitz)
Stadt Wehlen – Bastei
Königstein – Bad Schandau – Hohnstein – Bastei
239 – Stadt Wehlen – Uttewalde – Bastei (– 237 Pirna) (On all weekends and public holidays during the summer season)
254 – Bad Schandau – Hohnstein (– Heeselicht) – Bastei – Pirna (On all weekends and public holidays during the summer season)
Park and ride – Rathewalde – Bastei

Viewpoints around the Bastei / Bastei Bridge:

Bastei panoramic viewpoint (reopened on 3 February 2023)
Pavilion viewpoint overlooking the Bastei Bridge (above the Schwedenlöcher)
Wehlstein viewpoint (on the left, shortly before the Bastei Hotel)
Ferdinand's viewpoint (on the right before the Bastei Bridge)
Bastei Bridge with various viewpoints
Tiedge viewpoint (on the right along the route towards Rathen)
Kanapee (on the right along the route towards Rathen
The Bastei Bridge also leads to the renowned ruins of Neurathen Rock Castle. It is the largest medieval rock castle in the region. Owing to essential restoration work, it will only be possible to view it from the outside for the foreseeable future.

Bastei viewpoints on the map

Can you drive to the Bastei?

Bastei – travelling & parking by car

Access to the Bastei and the route to the Bastei Berghotel lead through the small town of Lohmen. Simply enter 01847 Lohmen into your satnav as the destination address, or use the GPS coordinates:
Latitude: 50.9665139
Longitude: 14.0657333

There are two parking options on the approach to the Bastei. Firstly, there is a car park in the immediate vicinity of the Bastei. From there, wheelchair users wishing to explore the Elbe Sandstone Mountains can also conveniently begin their excursion to the Bastei. Secondly, there is another car park at the beginning of Basteistrasse, from which a shuttle bus service to the Bastei is also available.

Car park no. 1 is located directly by the junction and, as an overflow car park, offers ample space. Day tickets are available for cars / coaches / motorhomes (the latter may park for a maximum of 24 hours). From this car park, visitors can either walk (approximately 3.5 km) or take the Bastei shuttle bus to the Bastei. The shuttle bus operates only from 1 April to 31 October.

Car park no. 2 is closer to the Bastei and is therefore also slightly more expensive. Different charges apply to motorhomes. These are determined according to the vehicle height detected by the light barrier. This allows small motorhomes (e.g. a VW Caravelle), which require only a car-sized parking space, to be charged differently from larger campers that take up more space.

What is the best way to reach the Bastei on foot?

A visit to the Bastei can easily be incorporated into a day trip through Saxon Switzerland. Numerous hiking routes lead around the Bastei. One popular Bastei hike runs from Stadt Wehlen via the Bastei to the spa resort of Rathen (or in the opposite direction). Along this hiking route, also known as the “Golden Triangle”, you can discover sights such as the Stadt Wehlen castle ruins, the Bastei Bridge and the Schwedenlöcher gorge.

Do you enjoy hiking? You can find a wide range of hikes around the Bastei and hiking routes in Saxon Switzerland on our interactive hiking map.

Hiking with a tour planner

TIPS

Tip 1: Visit the Bastei in winter!
A Babylonian confusion of languages in summer – heavenly tranquillity in winter. During the colder months, only a few holidaymakers venture to the Bastei. There is a good chance that you will have even the most beautiful views all to yourselves. There, you can enjoy not only the panorama, but also the infectious serenity of the hibernating national park.
Tip 2: Hike against the flow!
Solitude is not merely a question of the season, but also of the time of day. Even the busiest hiking days during peak season begin and end on a meditative note at the Bastei.

Anyone who has witnessed the sunrise over the Bastei from the Pavillonaussicht or Ferdinandaussicht viewpoints will never forget the sight. In summer, of course, this means getting up very, very early. It is easier to catch the evening atmosphere.
Tip 3: Enjoy a sauna with a view!
There cannot be many saunas worldwide that offer views into the core zone of a national park while you unwind in the heat. One of them is located in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Through a large window in the panoramic sauna at the Bastei, you can look directly out over the treetops and the striking rock formations of the wildly romantic Wehlgrund valley.
Tip 4: Discover new perspectives!
The river also offers fascinating perspectives. Viewed from here, the rock face of the Bastei, rising behind the spa resort of Rathen, appears impossibly steep and almost menacing. Passing the formation aboard a paddle steamer is a particularly nostalgic experience. Since the 19th century, these historic vessels have travelled from Dresden into Saxon Switzerland – and to this day, they operate regularly between Pirna and Bad Schandau during the season.
Tip 5: Bastei Hotel & Panoramic Restaurant
From the panoramic restaurant of the Berghotel Bastei, visitors to Saxon Switzerland can enjoy a magnificent view from 194 metres above the Elbe. Guests can savour delicious food in the restaurant.

Hotel guests benefit from the location and have the Bastei entirely to themselves before and after the daily influx of visitors. The 4-star Berghotel Bastei features modern, lovingly furnished rooms and a relaxing wellness area.
Tip 6: Alternatives to the Bastei
The Kleine Bastei – the famous Bastei has a lesser-known namesake. Just a few kilometres upstream along the Elbe, the “Kleine Bastei” near Schmilka offers a surprising, sweeping panoramic view. The sunset here is particularly beautiful.

Belvedér in Bohemian Switzerland! Less well known but equally enchanting is the view from Belvedér in Bohemian Switzerland near Labská Stráň (Elbleiten), just 30 kilometres from the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland. A viewing terrace towers above the valley, 130 metres above the Elbe.

All hiking routes with GPX/PDF downloads

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A look back at history

The development of the Bastei as a tourist destination began modestly. In 1797, the Bastei was mentioned in travel literature for the first time. This period also saw the launch of the first simple refreshment service: an enterprising businessman sold food and drinks to visitors from a carrying basket.

1812 marked another milestone: the first "bark huts" were built a short distance from the main viewpoint. These primitive lodgings, run by Pitsch, a butcher from Lohmen, provided travellers with basic food and accommodation.

As the Bastei grew in popularity, so did the need for better infrastructure. In 1826, the first permanent inn was finally built. This was a significant step in the development of tourism in the region.

A highlight in the history of the Bastei is undoubtedly the construction of the Bastei Bridge. The first version was built of wood in 1824. Just a few years later, in 1851, it was replaced by the stone bridge, which is still admired today as an engineering monument. Measuring 76.5 metres in length, it connects the rock formations and offers spectacular views.

Over the course of the 19th century, the infrastructure at the Bastei was continually expanded. Further buildings were constructed, including an observation tower and additional accommodation for the growing number of visitors.

The impressive landscape of the Bastei not only attracted tourists but also inspired numerous artists. Particularly well known is Caspar David Friedrich's painting Rocky Landscape (1823), which depicts the Neurathen Rock Gate and captures the Romantic fascination with this landscape.

The history of the Bastei is a testament to how an originally unspoilt place developed into a popular destination without losing its natural charm. From modest beginnings to a well-developed tourist infrastructure, the Bastei has evolved into a landmark of Saxon Switzerland over the course of two centuries.

More about Caspar David Friedr