Things to do in  Saxony

With its dramatic topography of tumbling canyons, table mountains, and untamed forests—spliced down the middle by the mighty Elbe River—Saxon Switzerland National Park (Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz) is a wild playground for adventurers. Straddling the Germany–Czech Republic border, the vast park offers hiking and cycling trails and hundreds of rock climbing locations.

A church dating back to the early 18th century, the Frauenkirche in Dresden was damaged during World War II bombings in 1945. After its dome collapsed, the ruins of the church were left as a war memorial. But after the reunification of Germany, the church was reconstructed and completed by 2005.

One of Dresden’s most important historic landmarks—and renowned for its ornate baroque design—the Zwinger was built in 1719 as a place of regal recreation. Later, in 1855, the more austere Semperbau was added to the Zwinger complex. Today, both are home to art collections featuring works by the old masters, plus antiquities.

Built between 1838 and 1841, this historic opera house in central Dresden is known across Germany for its beautiful architecture. It's also the home of the celebrated Saxon State Orchestra and the Saxon State Opera. Although the opera house was destroyed in World War II, it has since been rebuilt to its original glory.

Explore a Renaissance castle that dates back to the late 1400s during a visit to the Dresden Royal Palace. Once home to Saxony’s kings, today the palace houses the Dresden State Art Collections including the acclaimed Green Vault. Plan a visit here to learn about the building’s history, including damage from World War II bombings, and see a wide variety of art and antiques.

Leipzig's St. Thomas Church, dating back to the 15th century, is known for its musical history. As the final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach, who served as its music director, the church attracts admirers of his work. It’s also home to the St. Thomas Boys' Choir, established in 1212 and one of Germany's oldest and most renowned boys' choirs.

Housed in a former gas storage tank, the Leipzig Panometer was created in 2003 to display the artworks of panorama artist Yadegar Asisi. Today there are two Panometers showcasing his unique, immersive work (the other is in Dresden), and Asisi’s pieces can be seen on display around the world.

St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) holds a special place in Leipzig's history. Built in the 12th century, the German city’s oldest church hosted weekly Prayers for Peace that spearheaded the Peaceful Revolution of 1989, and—in a nod to Leipzig’s classical music heritage—once appointed Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach as its musical director.

Located within the Dresden Royal Palace, the Green Vault is one of the city museums featuring a collection of historical art and antiques. Go inside this treasure chest to see precious objects made of ivory, gemstones, gold, and silver. The museum offers the opportunity to admire art and artifacts up close.

Dresden’s Albertinum hosts the Galerie Neue Meister (New Masters Gallery), a large art collection that starts with the Romanticists of the early 1800s. The Renaissance Revival building is a former arsenal in Dresden’s historic center, and many visitors to Dresden walk past the grand building. Going inside and checking out the collections is a must for art enthusiasts.

One of Central Europe’s major rivers, the Elbe River runs through the heart of Dresden. It has played an important role in Germany’s history, forming part of the border between East and West Germany during the Cold War. Today the Elbe River is a popular spot for boat tours and views of landmarks like the Dresden Opera House.

Officially named the Loschwitz Bridge, the Blue Wonder Bridge in Dresden stretches across the Elbe River. The bridge was painted a bright blue color and earned the nickname it’s known by today. While much of Dresden was destroyed during bombings in World War II, the Blue Wonder Bridge survived.

Home to over 850 animal species from around the world, Leipzig Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Leipzig) is a leader in animal-welfare and -breeding programs. From jungle paths and treetop trails to river cruises and Germany’s largest indoor tropical rain forest, the sprawling zoo has something to entertain all ages.

See airplanes, helicopters, and air defense systems in this open-air museum in Dresden. Learn about the history of aerial warfare, with a focus on the Cold War years, and hear stories about important figures from pilots to military leaders. Explore exhibits that delve into the impact of the military on German culture.

Dresden hosts several markets around the holidays, but the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, or Dresden Christmas Market, is the oldest and most popular, dating back to 1434. If you happen to be in the city in December, you can’t miss shopping, eating and drinking, and soaking in the atmosphere at the market. In fact, it’s worth planning a whole Germany trip around visiting.