Hugging the border with Poland and the Czech Republic, Saxony is Germany’s easternmost state. It encompasses two of the country’s largest cities, Leipzig and Dresden, and the UNESCO-listed mines of the Ore Mountains, with a long history of independence that has resulted in a strong sense of identity.
Things to do in Saxony
Whether you want to be immersed in European art in Dresden or escape to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Saxony offers something for all travellers.
Sightsee in Dresden. With the Elbe River flowing through its heart, Dresden is often referred to as the “Florence of the North” due to its splendid architecture. Marvel at the domed Frauenkirche and explore the landscaped grounds of the Zwinger Palace, a Baroque marvel featuring one of the world’s most impressive collections of European Renaissance art.
Experience Leipzig. Founded in the 11th century at the intersection of two trade routes, Leipzig is a historic city that is having a rebirth at the “new Berlin”. Get your art fix in the cutting-edge galleries that occupy the industrial Baumwollspinnerei or at the glass-cubed Museum der Bildenden Künste, then learn about life in East Germany from 1949 to Reunification at the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum.
Discover medieval Görlitz. Located on Saxony’s border with Poland, Görlitz boasts a beautifully preserved old town that exhibits a diversity of architectural styles. Highlights include the late-Gothic Church of St. Peter and Paul and the Renaissance-style Schönhof, which houses the art and history exhibits of the Silesian Museum.
Get active in Saxon Switzerland National Park. Encompassing 93 square kilometres of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, this beautiful park features intriguing rock formations, lush valleys and photogenic waterfalls. In addition to around 400 kilometres of marked hiking trails, it’s home to a network of cycling routes and is a popular destination for rock climbing.
Getting around Saxony
Dresden Airport and Leipzig/Halle Airport and the main aviation gateways to Saxony, with flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Trains connect to towns and cities across the state while buses serve smaller villages not on the railway network.