'Most beautiful' European region is an underrated gem with a 'fairytale' bridge
Germany has so much to offer visitors all year round.
During the summer months, popular cities like Berlin come alive with riverside swimming spots and canal-side clubbing, while autumn sees Munich's Oktoberfest in full swing, and winter ushers in Christmas markets galore in Cologne, Düsseldorf, and beyond.
But step away from the cities and you'll find a whole other side to the country – with one area in particular, Saxony, being hailed as 'the most beautiful place' in Germany.
The state, in Eastern Germany and bordering Czechia, looks like something out of a fairytale – with some palaces and castle dating back to the Middle Ages.
It's brimming with history, too – it was the epicentre of events during some of the most decisive points in European history, including the Reformation and Napoleonic Wars.
It might only be the 10th biggest of Germany's 16 states, but there's plenty for visitors to explore…
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
With Conde Nast Traveller previously hailing numerous places in Saxony as some of the 'most beautiful in Germany', you're spoiled for choice on where to go.
Perhaps the region is best-known for its stunning Baroque capital city, Dresden, where many historic buildings were rebuilt after WWII.
Top attractions in the city include Frauenkirche Dresden, a reconstructed Lutheran church, as well as Zwinger – a complex of gardens around a Baroque palace building that now houses museums including the Old Masters Picture Gallery and Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (a collection of clocks and scientific objects).
Not far away is Meissen, a small town famous for its porcelain, which it has produced since 1710.
The city of Leipzig is also a magnet for culture lovers, with a rich musical history (it's the birthplace of composer Richard Wagner), vibrant galleries, and magnificent landmarks such as St Nicholas Church.
The quaint town of Görlitz, on the Polish border, should absolutely be on your list, having won the 'European Location Award' in 2017. It was one of the rare well-preserved towns to have survived WWII in Eastern Germany, as a result you'll wander past picturesque buildings and through charming streets.
Rakotzbrücke, hidden in Kromlau's Rhododendron Park in the north of the state, is also a must-visit. Also known as Devil's Bridge, the 19th-century structure creates the perfect stone circle when reflected in the water below.
Another must-visit place in Saxony is Bastei, a rock formation that towers 194 metres above the Elbe River, offering epic panoramas of various local landmarks.
A bridge, built in 1851, also crosses through the rock formation, acting as a lookout point over the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
It's located in Saxon Switzerland National Park, a hiking haven known for its rugged terrain and huge valleys – which is also home to the 400-year-old Königstein Fortress.
One Tripadvisor reviewer said Bastei was 'truly one of the most amazing places I've ever been in my life'.
'I'd seen pictures in advance, which is why we went, but it exceeded all my expectations.'
Another Tripadvisor commenter added: 'It was spectacular! Must visit this place when you go to Saxon Switzerland National Park.'
While there are no direct flights from the UK to Dresden or Leipzig, you can reach either with a stopover – with the quickest flight from the latter being around three hours, 30 minutes long.
However, you can reach both cities from Berlin – with direct return flights from London airports starting from £48.
From there, you can reach either Dresden or Leipzig by car (one hour, 50 minutes and two hours, 30 minutes respectively) – but a quicker option is by train. Journeys take around one hour, 15 minutes with one-way tickets costing as little as €5 (£4.19).
Onwards to Bastei, the journey from Dresden takes around 50 minutes by car or one hour via public transport.
While you might expect the peak summer months to be the best time to visit the region, this isn't necessarily the case.
Lots of people visit Saxony during the winter months – with January being a popular month for winter-sport enthusiasts. This comes down to the fact that Saxony's Ore Mountains boasts 70 ski runs, over 60 drag lifts, around 621 miles (1,000 kilometres) of cross-country skiing trails, plus toboggan runs and ice-skating rinks.
Being in Europe, it's hardly a surprise that January is the coldest month too – with an average maximum daytime temperature of 4°C. More Trending
For those who don't like winter sports, the Christmas Garden Dresden transforms Pillnitz Palace and Park into a magical winter wonderland between November and January every year.
However, anyone visiting during the summer can enjoy the greenery of the region in full force.
The weather is incredibly pleasant during the peak summer months, with temperatures ranging from 20°C and 25°C – and July being the sunniest.
This article was originally published on January 23, 2024.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: UK airport gets new TUI flights to quirky European capital dubbed the 'city of baths'
MORE: European city begs for 'respect' as tourists keep stealing bizarre souvenir
MORE: 'It's magic': Your favourite French holiday spots that aren't Paris, Cannes or Nice
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
UK holidaymakers will be fingerprinted each time they visit EU – with lengthy checks taking 6 minutes
Scroll to see if you will be affected NEW RULES UK holidaymakers will be fingerprinted each time they visit EU – with lengthy checks taking 6 minutes BRITS heading to Europe this year will face lengthy checks as fingerprinting is issued each time they cross the border. The manual ID checks will be rolled out in November and affect thousands of motorists driving from the UK to Europe. Advertisement 1 Brits could face delays when crossing the border Credit: PA Those driving across the border will be asked to get out of their vehicle to be photographed and fingerprinted, adding up to six minutes to journey times. The big change will be phased in from November and will see "significant infrastructure" being built to support the thousands of people getting out of cars and buses. Operators say the system is a way of getting rid of stamping passports and keeping visitors' information digitally recorded. The manual checks come as Dover waits for the launch of an app being developed by Frontex, the European border agency. Advertisement Read more on Travel BLOW BY BLOW My son was called an idiot when cocaine fell out passport… but he was SET UP The app will eventually minimise queues and won't require passengers' to get out of their vehicles. Border control will be given a tablet which they will pass through cars to verify individuals' identity. But according to Doug Bannister, the chief executive of the Port of Dover, the app won't be ready "any time before November". This means second, third, fourth time travellers still need to have a biometric captured at the border, he told The Guardian. Advertisement This comes as the UK government confirmed a new deal that will allow UK holidaymakers to use the much faster e-gates when visiting Europe. The talks mean Brits can join other EU tourists in the shorter queues. The New EU entry-exit system and EuropeTravel Visa (ETIAS) explained The Prime Minister said: "We will be and are pressing to get on with this straight away. "Because for holiday makers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily, without delay and chaos." Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to see the deal done "as soon as possible" claiming there was now no "inhibition" to it getting done. Advertisement He said: "Today's deal will also help British holidaymakers, confirming that they will be able to use e-gates when they travel to Europe, ending those huge queues at passport control. "And I call on all EU members to help make this a reality without delay.' The government said: "British holidaymakers will be able to use more e-gates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control." Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, added: "This is excellent news for British holidaymakers and will enable an even smoother passenger experience for families travelling to the EU."
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The unusual European island that swaps nationality twice a year
Despite it's name, there are no actual pheasants on the island DOUBLE IT The unusual European island that swaps nationality twice a year DEPENING on what time of year you are near Pheasant Island, could change what country you are actually in. Only 200 metres long and 40 metres wide (making it the world's smallest condominium) it is jointly governed by both France and Spain. 4 Pheasant Island is jointly governed by France and Spain Credit: Alamy 4 The island is only 200 metres long and becoming smaller due to erosion Credit: Alamy The island changes nationality every six months, being under Spanish control from February 1 to July 31, and then French territory from August 1 to January 31. This was an agreement made on November 7, 1659 by the signing of The Treaty of the Pyrenees. The treaty was signed on Pheasant Island and consequently ended the Franco-Spanish War and established a border between the two nations. To honour the occasion, there was even a royal wedding. In 1660, French King Louis XIV married the daughter of King Philip IV, Maria Theresa of Spain, on the spot of the declaration. Their marriage was a key provision of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, and aimed to solidify the peace and reconciliation between the two countries. In the middle of the island there is a monolith, which is a commemorative stone in the centre of the island. The monolith's inscription is in Spanish on one side and French on the other. Despite its name, there are no pheasants on the island, but there is other wildlife like migratory birds, wild animals, and green crested mallards. The island can sometimes be reached on foot from the Spanish side at low tide. The little-known French island near the UK - with 60 beaches, Mediterranean-style climate & turquoise waters 4 Every six months there is a ceremony to mark the switching of sides Credit: Alamy Despite this, visitors are not allowed on the island, apart from during a few days, but this is limited to military personnel. It does open occasionally on heritage open days although these are rare. European Heritage Days (or Heritage Open Days in the UK) are an annual event where lots of historic sites, some of which are inaccessible, open their doors to the public for free. For anyone wanting have a peak at Pheasant Island, make a note of the third weekend of September as that is when France hold their Heritage Open days, called Journées du Patrimoine. It's possible, but not guaranteed that Pheasant Island will be open to the public then. On February 1 and August 1, the French and Spanish authorities conduct a formal handover of the island. Both sides perform military dress parades around the monolith before peacefully switching governance. There are still lots of areas to explore outside of Pheasant Island. It's surrounded by the Basque Country in northern Spain and is known for its mountainous terrain and rugged coastlines It's also close to the Camino de Santiago, a network of ancient, spiritual pilgrimage routes in Spain. Here's another tiny European holiday island that used to be a spa resort and cars are banned. And the unusual European city that looks like it's made entirely out of Lego.
Metro
12 hours ago
- Metro
Could London be the next city to introduce a tourist tax?
In many European cities, paying a tourist tax is nothing new. If anything, it's expected. From Paris to Barcelona to Amsterdam, the majority of our favourite hotspots come with an extra fee, whether we pay it at our accommodation or the airport. Its purpose is simple: to provide the city with money for things like general upkeep, sustainability initiatives, and an increased demand on public services. And as many places grapple with the effects of overtourism, taxes are increasing, and new ones are being introduced. For example, Venice doubled its tax for daytrippers earlier this year, while the Azores implemented one on January 1. Recently, there's been talk of London joining the club. Last month, the Centre for London released a report called Arts for All, urging the Greater London Authority to 'explore the implementation of a tourist tax' to help invest in the capital's arts and cultural scene. Last year, Mayor Sadiq Khan voiced his potential support, too. In October, he told The Standard he'd be 'happy to look into' whether a tax for overnight stays would be feasible. But, while the arts do need funding – the report says that physical engagement with arts and culture in London sits below or close to the national average – what would a potential tourist tax mean for the wider community, including daytrippers from the UK? 'Tourists are going to be more accepting of the tax if they can understand where it is being spent,' explains travel expert, Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pearl Lemon Adventures, a London-based travel and tourism company, to find out. Essentially, if the money tourists pay goes towards upgrading infrastructure and transportation, as well as financing and upgrading major attractions, we might all get on board with it. There's no denying London feels the effects of overtourism. Visitor numbers to the UK are on the up: VisitBritain estimates that there were 41.2 million visits to the UK for the full year 202, 1% up on 2019, with most of them heading to the capital. London has also been described as the 'Wild West' of Airbnbs. In Westminster in particular, councillors said more than 10,500 homes were used as holiday lets, and residents claim that one mansion block close to Hyde Park hosts more guests per night than The Ritz. With rent prices in the capital already eye-wateringly high, short-term lets only serve to make living in the city even more expensive. London also has the most congested roads in Europe, with analysis by analytics company Inrix finding drivers in the capital spent 101 hours sitting in traffic in 2024. Though there is some merit to the idea, Shukla adds that a tourist tax is 'not without its problems.' He says that the success of a tax depends on various factors, with the volume of tourism being a big consideration. Currently, around 30 million tourists flock to London every year. Should the same number still come with a tourist tax, it will ensure a steady flow of income. However, if the tax deters tourists, it could lead to fewer visits and less income than expected. Another concern is London's competitiveness compared to other global locations. Currently, Spanish cities like Madrid and Valencia (which boast better weather than the UK) don't have a tourist tax. Neither do up-and-coming European city break destinations like Helsinki or Tallinn. 'If an additional expense like tourist tax is imposed, travellers may opt to visit places that do not have these costs, impacting London's tourism sector,' states Shulka. Similarly, Mayor Sadiq Khan noted that the money raised would need to be strictly monitored. If it were spent elsewhere, with people not seeing the benefits locally or regionally, it wouldn't be fair. He said: 'It's really important to give that reassurance to the [tourism] sector, because they've had a tough few years, particularly post-pandemic. 'If we can reassure the [tourism] sector that we can work on a scheme that benefits inward tourism, it benefits more tourists to come, I think they'd be supportive of it as well.' Officials estimate that a levy could raise significant amounts of cash for local services and the tourism industry. For example, should the UK follow in the footsteps of Paris, which charges visitors up to €16 per night in premium hotels, or Barcelona, which adds up to €4 a night plus a regional fee, an extra £240 million could be generated annually. This is on the basis of adding a 5% tax to overnight stays, according to Euro Weekly. In short, no. English local authorities can't introduce their own tourist taxes,it needs to go through Parliament instead. Legislation to Parliament would have to be introduced for this to happen. However, some UK local authority areas, including Manchester and Liverpool, have established Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) which cover tourism-related businesses. These are legal loopholes, and are operated by local organisations, meaning they can collect levies in their areas. 'If London were to impose a tourist tax, it would probably be similar to the charge on overnight stays currently implemented in places like Manchester,' says Shulka. So even though an overnight fee could be charged, day visitors are unlikely to be affected. Like we mentioned earlier, to prevent overtourism, cities like Venice have imposed fees for day visitors. But in London's case, Shulka says the main motivation would likely be different, specifically generating funds to improve tourism infrastructure upgrades and city services. Shulka adds: 'I think one of the reasons why day-trippers don't typically pay a tourist tax is that they spend only a few hours in the city and therefore use fewer public resources compared to overnight visitors.' Since they don't stay in paid accommodation, they aren't charged through the usual channels. Finally, for day-trippers to be affected, Shulka states that policies targeting them would need to be implemented. This includes things like tourist passes, access fees or visitor registrations. Over on Reddit, there's a huge discussion about the idea of a tourist tax, and as you would expect, the reviews are mixed. More Trending Many Londoners are for a tax, making the point that they have to pay it in other European cities, so why not here? 'Some visitors are surprised when they find out they don't owe tourist tax,' one person adds. 'Yes please. And then ring fence that money to go back into benefiting the local economy. Some new trains for the Bakerloo Line would be nice! Or some new cycle lanes,' another says. A Barcelona resident was also positive about a London tax: 'As a tourist, I wouldn't mind that extra fee.' They continued, saying that their Spanish city has it, and 'regardless of the real use of the money that it generates, it's not a barrier for tourists.' Another tourist agrees: 'I would pay it gladly every time I visit London (and I try to do it a couple of times a year at least). Others were a little more sceptical, saying they would support it if they could guarantee that the money would benefit Londoners. However, some were straight up against it, citing that hotels are 'already overpriced', so 'the answer isn't to drive them further away.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Man unleashes smoke grenades and sledgehammer in raid on Mayfair hotel MORE: Heaven nightclub bouncer cleared of rape charge MORE: British flight attendant 'in tears' in court accused of smuggling 46kg of drugs
