SAXON TRIANGLE
A land of Baroque splendor, musical heritage, and dramatic sandstone mountains. This guide unveils the history-rich cities of Dresden, Leipzig, and Chemnitz, alongside the wild beauty of Saxon Switzerland, a German heartland of culture and nature.
Why Visit The Saxon Triangle?
Cultural Hubs: Explore Dresden’s Baroque architecture and Leipzig’s music history, home to Bach and the St. Thomas Boys Choir.
Dramatic Nature: Hike and climb in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, featuring the iconic Bastei Bridge and Königstein Fortress.
Art and Heritage: Discover a thousand years of history in castles, palaces, and a unique tradition of world-famous porcelain in Meissen.
Smart Travel
Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October): Ideal for city sightseeing, hiking in the national park, and wine tasting along the Saxon Wine Route with pleasant weather.
Deep Off-Season (November-March): Experience traditional Christmas markets (especially the famous Dresden Striezelmarkt) and find the best value on hotels.
Peak Season (June-August): The warmest months are perfect for outdoor concerts and festivals, but expect higher prices and crowds, especially in major cities.
Main Areas & Places to Explore
Dresden
The state capital, often called “Florence on the Elbe,” is famed for its stunningly reconstructed Baroque old town (Altstadt), including the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger Palace, and the Semper Opera House. It is a city of high culture and art.
Your Smart Tip: To save money and avoid lines, consider purchasing a Dresden Welcome Card for discounted admission to museums and free public transport.
Leipzig
A vibrant city with a youthful, creative energy and a profound musical legacy, including its association with Bach, Mendelssohn, and Wagner. It is a hub for trade fairs and features the historic St. Thomas Church and the Monument to the Battle of the Nations.
Your Smart Tip: The city center is compact and walkable. For the best atmosphere and local prices, explore the cafés and shops of the Gohlis or Plagwitz neighborhoods outside the main tourist zone.
Saxon Switzerland National Park
This region of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains offers spectacular hiking and climbing among bizarre rock formations, gorges, and table mountains. The Bastei Bridge is the most famous viewpoint, offering unforgettable panoramas.
Your Smart Tip: Visit the smaller, less-crowded Schrammsteine rock formations for equally breathtaking views and more challenging hiking trails away from the main Bastei crowds.
Handy Tips
Weather & Climate
The climate is generally temperate. Summers are warm and often rainy; winters are cold, with a higher chance of snow in the Ore Mountains and surrounding hills.
Local Customs And Etiquette
Language: German is the official language. English is generally spoken in tourist areas, but learning a few basic German phrases is appreciated.
Dining: Punctuality for dinner reservations is expected. Tipping is customary; rounding up the bill or leaving a tip of 5-10% is standard.
“Kaffee und Kuchen”: The German tradition of coffee and cake in the late afternoon is particularly strong in Saxony. Don’t miss out!
Budgeting For Your Trip
Accommodation: Hostels ($35–$60), mid-range hotels ($80–$140), luxury ($160+). Prices are often higher during major trade fairs and the Christmas market season.
Food: Fixed-price lunch menu ($15–$25), dinner at a mid-range restaurant ($30–$55 per person), fine dining ($70+).
Transport: Local Day Ticket (public transport in Dresden/Leipzig, $8–$12), regional train ticket (e.g., Dresden to Leipzig, $20–$40), Car rental ($40/day).
Activities: Museum entry ($10–$15), Semper Opera ticket ($30+), Bastei Bridge (free to view).
Daily Budget:
- Budget: $70–$110 (hostels, market food, public transport).
- Mid-range: $120–$190 (hotels, restaurants, attractions).
- Luxury: $220+ (boutique hotels, gourmet meals, private tours).
Getting Around
By Public Transport: Saxony has an excellent and comprehensive network of local trains (S-Bahn and regional), trams, and buses connecting major cities and tourist spots like Saxon Switzerland.
By Car: A car is ideal for exploring the rural areas, castles, and the Ore Mountains, but driving and parking in the city centers can be difficult and expensive.
By Train: Major cities (Dresden, Leipzig, Chemnitz) are well-connected by fast Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains, and often to each other by cheaper, efficient regional lines.
Must-Try Food
Sächsischer Sauerbraten: A pot roast (often beef) marinated for days in a mixture of vinegar, spices, and herbs, served with a sweet and sour sauce.
Leipziger Allerlei: A vegetable dish made of carrots, peas, and asparagus, often with crayfish tails and small meat dumplings, considered a delicacy.
Quarkkeulchen: Small, fried dumplings made from potato, quark (curd cheese), flour, and egg, typically served dusted with sugar and cinnamon.
Bratwurst/Currywurst: Grilled sausage, a staple of German street food, or with curry ketchup (Currywurst).
Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe: A hearty Saxon potato soup, usually with sausage or bacon.
Klitscher: A variety of potato pancake, often thicker and heartier than others.
Plinse: Thin pancakes, similar to crêpes, served either savory or sweet.
Dresdner Eierschecke: A famous, three-layered baked cake consisting of a yeast dough base, a quark layer, and a top layer of a creamy egg-and-butter mixture.
Dresdner Christstollen: A world-renowned Christmas fruit bread made with dried fruit, nuts, and spices, typically dusted with powdered sugar.
Leipziger Lerche: A small, shortcrust pastry filled with marzipan and jam, traditionally made to commemorate the banning of lark hunting.
Must-Try Drinks
Sächsische Weine (Saxon Wine): Wines from the Saxon Wine Route, particularly local specialties like Goldriesling and Müller-Thurgau.
Radeberger Pilsner: A famous German Pilsner, one of the best-known beers from Saxony.
Freiberger Bier: Another popular beer brand from the region.
Schwarzbier: A dark lager with a mild, sweet flavor.
Pilsner: A light, hoppy German pale lager, universally popular.
Sekt: German sparkling wine, with the Saale-Unstrut region bordering Saxony producing quality varieties.
Glühwein: Traditional German mulled wine, essential for visiting the Christmas markets.
Kaffee: Coffee is a very important part of Saxon culture, often enjoyed with “Kuchen” (cake).
Apfelschorle: A refreshing mix of apple juice and sparkling water, a very popular non-alcoholic drink.
Meißner Fummel: A very thin, brittle pastry puff, often eaten with wine to prove the drinker is sober enough not to break it.