There's no better way to discover the beauty of the Saxon landscape along the embankments of the river Elbe than to take a day tour on a vintage paddle steamer, either eastwards towards the unique rocky landscape of Saxon Switzerland or westwards towards the wine-growing district of Meissen and Diesbar-Seusslitz.
Dresden's pier on the south embankment of the Elbe beneath the famous Bruhlsche Terasse is the right place where delightful trips begin. The paddle steamer fleet comprises 8 century-old wheel steamboats that were so beautifully and faithfully restored as to provide a major attraction even when moored to the pier between Dresden's two central bridges. Powered by original steam engines, they offer a full range of excursions which include full day tours to Meissen, Pirna and beyond, shorter tours to Radebeul and Pillnitz, summer evening tours accompanied by music and entertainment and festival tours to mark a special feast or occasion.
Whichever excursion you choose, a fascinating journey on a side-wheel steamboat combined with the beauty of a captivating shoreline is as unforgettable as the architectural beauty of Saxony's capital. If you opt for the eastbound tour, you will have the opportunity to view some of the most rugged rocky terrain in the area and the sandstone mountain peaks with which nature has adorned Saxon Switzerland. Discover for yourself numerous freestanding sandstone formations that alternate with deep fertile valleys and majestic forested plateau. On reaching the small town of Pillnitz, you will be given time to visit its untouched historic center which is endowed with a graceful church and a wonderful medieval palace. Further southeast, the town of Pirna is also well worth a visit. Not to be missed are the late Gothic monastery church of St. Mary, the local history museum and the famous vineyard terraces which produce some of the best wine in the region. From here, you can continue through the whole stretch of Saxon Switzerland towards the Czech Republic.
Visitors who opt for the westbound trip from Dresden to Meissen will be given the opportunity to explore the regional viticultural traditions that stretch back to the Middle Ages. The first stop along the route is Radebeul, a town that boasts extensive vineyard terraces and a wonderful hilly park topped by the small picturesque Wackerbarth Castle. Some distance further west, the city of Coswig endowed with a small medieval church is surrounded by more vineyard terraces, impressive landscapes and sloping terrain.
The highlight of the westbound tour is definitely the romantic city of Meissen, considered to be Saxony's birthplace. Perched on a hill in Meissen's center is a restored Gothic Cathedral with the remains of Saxon rulers and numerous invaluable works of art. Nearby, Albrechtsburg Castle noted for its interior's ribbed vaulting is a prime example of late Gothic architecture. The city's principal attraction that no visitor should miss however is the State Porcelain Manufactory which besides displaying the world's largest 3 thousand piece collection of Dresden china is the place to be if you want to see the whole interesting process involved in making fine artistic porcelain. Much restoration work is currently in progress throughout the whole city of Meissen and when completed in a few years' time, Meissen's former glory will be clearly evident. End your visit in Meissen by looking quickly around one of the city's inner courtyards or centuries-old arched cellars where probably you will be given the opportunity to taste one or more of Meissen's excellent wine varieties. 'Gold Riesling', 'Muller-Thurgau', and 'Blue Late Burgundy' are all equally aromatic, fruity and rich. From Meissen, you can continue on the steamboat further northwest to Diesbar-Seusslitz, a wine-growing district with an impressive landscape of steeply terraced slopes.
Taking a steamboat excursion is perhaps the most entertaining way to get acquainted with the shoreline landscape along the river Elbe. However, this is not the only viable option. Dresden's sporty visitors who feel fit enough to cycle will find along the stretch of the Elbe from Pirna to Diesbar-Seusslitz an extensive network of marked first-class cycling paths. Cycling eastwards, these paths offer a good panorama of the entire mountain range around Saxon Switzerland while westwards, they provide an equally good scenic route along wine-growing districts. Before embarking on such a cycling tour which rewards you from the start with fantastic views of river meadows and rocky landscapes, buy a cycling map from Dresden's Tourist Office at Pragerstrasse 10. Cyclists are advised to keep to the signposted routes, particularly when travelling across the Elbe sandstone mountains which may have deep fissures and dangerous rock crevices. Besides giving you the chance to enjoy the rewarding sights of the region at leisure, cycling gives you the added benefit of choosing worthwhile stops along the way.
One other option that is however time consuming is to take a bus or train from Dresden to a particular destination and then hike around the area at leisure along marked hiking trails. The small town of Pillnitz east of Dresden for example, has an excellent hiking trail across the mountainous area of Koniglicher Weinberg while Radebeul, 10kms west of Dresden has longer trails which lead further west towards Coswig. The hiking trails south of Diesbar-Seusslitz take you around extensive meadows and enormous vineyard terraces which stretch towards Meissen.
If you have more time to spare, another rewarding option is to travel from Dresden to the small town of Radebeul-Ost from where a narrow-gauge old-timer train goes uphill amidst steep vineyard terraces before passing over a dam through a romantic valley towards the town of Moritzburg. It continues through an impressive scenic route before reaching the bigger town of Radebeul from where you can travel back easily by bus to Dresden.