Bizarre rock landscapes, wild romantic valleys and narrow gullies: the sandstone hills of the Elbe south west of Dresden are a true natural wonder. Their most beautiful section, the National Park of Saxonian Switzerland has a special preservation order placed on it. It has been a well-loved excursion destination for almost 200 years with its primeval landscape of picturesque sandstone rocks, and majestic table mountains. The most famous “mountain” is the Bastei. From its 194 metres high viewing platform, you have a marvellous view over the Elbe, as far as up to the natural rock stage, Rathen, when the weather is clear.

The centre of the sandstone hills of the Elbe is crowned by the largest fortress in Europe, Koenigstein, built on sharply dropping rock walls. There are more than 30 different style buildings on the 9.5-hectare site, showing various exhibitions and documents on the history of Koenigstein.

Also worth a little trip is Bad Schandau, its centre like a painting on the shore of the Elbe, directly below steeply towering sandstone rocks. Our tip: Experience the impressive landscape from the water – in a rowing boat where one can be the captain, the rower or the passenger.

On no account should you fail to take a walk along the Bruehl Terrace. Ten metres higher han the river Elbe, 500 metres long and up to 200 metres wide this “Balcony of Dresden” offers a wonderful view of the Elbe and the new town. One level below you can even see the cannon yards of the old Festung Dresdens (Dresden fortress). In just a few minutes on foot from here to the south-west of the town centre you will find the Grosse Garten (great garden), Dresdens favourite place of relaxation. The former prince elector hunting garden today contains both the Botanische Garten (botanical garden) und the zoo as well as several open air stages, a park railway and the Palais, Saxonia’s oldest baroque building.

You will find one of the most attractive walks to be the one leading up the Elbe from the Marienbruecke along the new town’s riverside to the Loschwitz town sector. Splendid villas and green river slopes spread some southern flair. For the best possible view of the landscape take a walk over the Blaue Wunder (Blue Marvel), the German version of the Golden Gate Bridge. This 100 year old steel construction, weighing 3500 tons, was originally green but very quickly changed to a radiant light blue, and has meanwhile become one of Dresden’s landmarks.

Back at the Koernerplatz in Loschwitz the world’s oldest cable railway will transport you to the Schoene Aussicht (beautiful view), or you can take the funicular railway to the Luisenhof for some refreshment. The tavern is located about 100 metres further up in the exclusive town sector “Weisser Hirsch” (white deer).

The area of Dresden where the city’s in-crowd meets is unnoticed by most visitors. About one square kilometre between the Koenigsbruecker and Priessnitz streets, and between the Bautzen street und Bischofs way - the whole under a preservation order for its beautiful buildings dating from the turn of the century - is almost legendary for its hustle and bustle. Here you find over 250 taverns, cafés, restaurants and bars – all open round the clock. There are also countless very special small stores, original boutiques and numerous galleries that invite you to touch and admire.

The art gallery can be found between the alleyways of the new town at No. 70 Alaun Street – a MUST for every tour of the new town. In five themed inner courtyards Dresden artists shaped a world of fabled beings, animals, elements, metamorphoses and light. A town sector festival has taken place here every year in the third weekend of June since 1990: The “Bunte Republik Neustadt” (Colourful New Town Republic). Originally intended as a demonstration against speculation, exorbitant rents, subversion and dispossession of inhabitants, it has since developed into a neighbourhood and arts festival with a cult character. A visit here is essential!

Don’t worry, this dog doesn’t bite! “Loessnitz Dachshund” is the pet name the locals christened the Loessnitz railway, one of the oldest narrow gauge railways in Germany. It has been following the 16.55 kilometre stretch from Radebeul via Moritzburg to Radeburg every day since 1884. The route through the tight, wildly romantic Loessnitz region with its curvy tracks and rocking movement soon earned the little railway its “Loessnitz Dachshund” nickname. A special treat is a ride in one of the traditional carriages, which travel on certain weekends of the year. You can sit in carriages restored true to their origin with wooden bench seating and real round iron stoves. Railway-staff in historical uniforms invite you on a journey into the past.

This is a business like out of a picture book! Since its establishment about 130 years ago at No. 79 Bautzener Strasse, Pfunds Dairy is regarded as the most beautiful of its type in the world. The walls, floors and even ceilings are under a preservation order. They are tiled from top to bottom with hand painted tiles by Dresden’s famous ceramics manufacturer, Villeroy & Boch. Like a miracle the dairy remained preserved from the bombs of the 2nd World War. If you shop in the Pfunds-Dairy nowadays you can experience exactly the same atmosphere as in the previous century, at the same time as having a selection of several hundred types of cheese. The refreshment hall is available for a drink of Pfunds milk, or buttermilk, freshly poured just as it was a hundred years ago. Popular souvenirs are the Pfunds-specialities, such as the legendary Pfunds-milk soap, Pfunds-condensed milk, or Pfunds-milk grappa and Pfunds-Christmas stollen.