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Saxony

Placed where northern plains abut mountain ranges and German efficiency meets Slavic flamboyance, packed with elegant hilltop castles and lavish baroque palaces, Saxony is the definition of Central Europe. It was also at the centre of events during the most decisive points in European history, such as the Reformation, Napoleonic Wars, and velvet revolutions that dismantled Communist regimes in the late 1980s.

It's likely you've seen some of Saxony's most striking sights on classical paintings, be it Canaletto's views of Dresden's captivating baroque cityscape or Friedrich's depictions of Saxon Switzerland, a breathtakingly beautiful passage cut through the mountains by the Elbe River. You've most definitely heard musical masterpieces written in Leipzig by Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner.

But there is more to discover – from quaint baroque towns to centuries-old industrial heritage. Halfway between Berlin and Prague, Saxony is a perfect introduction to what awaits you east of Germany.

Explore Saxony

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Saxony.

  • Palace

    Zwinger

    A collaboration between the architect Matthäus Pöppelmann and the sculptor Balthasar Permoser, the Zwinger was built between 1710 and 1728 on the orders…

  • Palace

    Residenzschloss

    Dresden's extraordinary Renaissance city palace, home to its Saxon rulers from 1485 to 1918, now shelters multiple precious collections – including the…

  • Church

    Nikolaikirche

    This church has Romanesque and Gothic roots, but since 1797 has sported a striking neoclassical interior with palm-like pillars and cream-coloured pews…

  • Museum

    Militärhistorisches Museum Dresden

    Even devout pacifists will be awed by this engaging museum, housed in a 19th-century arsenal bisected by a bold glass-and-steel wedge designed by Daniel…

  • Museum

    Terra Mineralia

    Occupying a greater part of the 16th-century Freundenstein castle, this astounding collection of minerals makes human-made art seem insignificant compared…

  • Museum

    Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister

    This astounding collection of European art from the 16th to 18th centuries houses an incredible number of masterpieces, including Raphael's famous Sistine…

  • Gallery

    Albertinum

    The Renaissance-era former arsenal is the stunning home of the Galerie Neue Meister (New Masters Gallery), which displays an array of paintings by some of…

  • Museum

    Erlebniswelt Haus Meissen

    Next to the historic porcelain factory south of the Altstadt, this museum is the place to witness the astonishing artistry and artisanship that makes…

  • Museum

    Museen im Grassi

    The university-run Museen im Grassi harbours three fantastic collections that are often overlooked, despite being a five-minute walk from Augustusplatz…

  • Museum

    SMAC

    Occupying a converted department store, this state-of-the-art museum is a brave attempt to celebrate all those crocks, bones and pieces of primitive…

  • Museum

    Museum der Bildenden Künste

    This imposing modernist glass cube is the home of Leipzig's fine art museum and its world-class collection of paintings from the 15th century to today,…

  • Museum

    Völkerkundemuseum

    Even before they started travelling the world, the Hernhutters were so obsessed with exotic lands they purchased items brought from Australia by Captain…

  • Museum

    Historisches Grünes Gewölbe

    The Historic Green Vault displays some 3000 precious items in the same fashion as during the time of August der Starke, namely on shelves and tables…

  • Gallery

    Museum Gunzenhauser

    A former 1930 bank building, built in austere New Objectivity style, is now a gallery of 20th-century art, most famous for its expressionist works by such…

  • Fortress

    Festung Königstein

    Festung Königstein is the largest intact fortress in Germany, and so imposing and formidable that noone in history has ever even bothered to attack it,…

  • Palace

    Schloss Weesenstein

    A magnificent sight on a rocky crag high above the Müglitz River, Schloss Weesenstein is an amazing alchemy of styles, blending medieval roots with…

  • Palace

    Schloss Moritzburg

    An impossibly romantic vision in yellow and white surrounded by an enormous moat-like lake and a park that is at turns wild and formal, baroque Schloss…

  • Palace

    Schloss & Park Pillnitz

    Baroque has gone exotic at Schloss Pillnitz, a delightful pleasure palace, festooned with fanciful Chinese flourishes. This is where the Saxon rulers once…

  • Castle

    Albrechtsburg

    Lording it over Meissen, the 15th-century Albrechtsburg was the first German castle constructed for residential purposes, but is more famous as the…

  • Church

    Frauenkirche

    The domed Frauenkirche – Dresden’s most beloved symbol – has literally risen from the city's ashes. The original church graced the skyline for two…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Saxony.

  • Activities