Culture & Pleasure

Not only the bizarre world of rocks around Bad Schandau is an attraction, there is also a lot to see in the city area. Each of the sights enriches a day in the Elbe sandstone as a further highlight. A hike or a bike ride can easily be combined with a tour of the city. This is how nature and culture merge into a unique experience. A visit is worthwhile in every season.

Spa Park

The spa park, laid out in 1873 and redesigned in 1994, is an island of peace and relaxation. Elements such as a fountain made of granite and sandstone, comfortable seating and lovingly designed green areas invite you to linger.

Kirnitzschtalbahn

Since 1898, the historic tramway has been traveling through the wildly romantic Kirnitzsch Valley with incomparable nostalgic charm. Each of the eight stops on the approximately eight-kilometer route is an ideal starting point for hikes in the Saxonian Switzerland.

Johannis Church

The church at the market, which is well worth seeing, was built at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries from Postelwitz sandstone - the baroque pulpit even from a single block. The Renaissance altar, originally created around 1575 for the Dresden Cross church, is remarkable. It found its way to St. John's Church by a tortuous route and was erected in 1927.

Sendig fountain

As early as 1896, the year it was built, this fountain probably helped give the market its flair. It is worth taking a closer look at the elaborate design. Named after its founder and great patron of Bad Schandau, Rudolf Sendig (1848-1928), it is still a beautiful place to pause and enjoy.

Schomburg Castle Ruins

High above the Elbe River on a wooded mountain spur, the Schandauer Schlossberg, once stood a castle that has long since disappeared. The original structure probably dates back to the 13th century. Since 1883, an artificially created castle has stood on this site Castle ruins. From the viewing platform on the tower of the ruin you can look over Bad Schandau and the Elbe valley.

Ostrauer Sendigvillas

Magnificent wooden villas from 1903 stand on the edge of the Ostrauer Scheibe plateau. Like the passenger elevator, they are part of an unfinished project by Rudolf Sendig (1848-1928). The so-called world sports ground was to be created here as an exclusive tourist centre. Today there is a newly designed spa promenade with a viewing platform on Ostrauer Ring.

The Museum Schandau presents exciting history(s) of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. What is the project of the world sports ground all about? Why are there books on climbing peaks? How did indigenous peoples live in the South American rainforest? Two permanent exhibitions provide answers and show objects from climbing sports and from the collection of the explorer Erich Wustmann.

General Information

Opening Hours:

May til Oktober

Tuesday- Friday
14 – 17 o´clock
Saturday/ Sunday
10 – 17 o´clock

November til April
Tuesday- Sunday
14 – 17 o´clock

January closed

Entrance fee:
3,50 Euro/ 2,50 Euro (reduced)

We invite you on a journey of discovery into the history of the city and the region.

Bad Schandau Museum

Badallee 10/11
01814 Bad Schandau

Phone +49 35022 900-59
museum@bad-schandau.de

Leaflet to download!

Climbing worlds in the Elbe sandstone

Climbing has been going on in the Elbe Sandstone since 1864. Since that time, the sport of climbing has changed again and again.

However, the passion for movement in the landscape has always remained the same.

The exhibition approaches the phenomenon of climbing in the Elbe Sandstone from the perspectives of tradition, lifeworld as well as sport and performance.

Large-format photographs bring the fascination of the sport to the viewer. Unique objects show the enthusiasm of individual protagonists.

The exhibition approaches the phenomenon of climbing from three perspectives.

Tradition - continuities as well as changes are reflected in climbing guides, maps and rules.

Living environment - testimonies from personal life and social context illustrate the importance of sport.

Sport and performance - The development of difficulty is characterized by the enthusiasm of the protagonists.

Erich Wustmann Collection

The explorer Erich Wustmann (1907-1994) documented the way of life of indigenous inhabitants of Scandinavia, South America and Africa on his expeditions.

The honorary citizen of the city dedicated his whole life to preserving the endangered environment of these peoples.

Erich Wustmann processed his impressions in almost 60 works in which he described his travels.

He also became known to many through the popular GDR television series Among Indians, Lapps and Beduins.

The exhibition shows a selection from the extensive collection of the explorer.

In three themed rooms, visitors can learn many details about the way of life of indigenous peoples such as the Sami, Crao or Xingu.

Impressive objects, photos and film recordings provide insights into living environments that, with a few exceptions, are lost today.

Built in 1904 in the Art Nouveau style and 50 meters high, the steel lattice tower impresses not only with its elegance. During the ride, there are always new perspectives of the city. The wide, majestic view from the observation deck will surpass that. The panorama over the Elbe Valley stretches from the Großer Winterberg to the Lilienstein.

The mountain station is a good starting point for walks to the higher-lying district of Ostrau and for hikes into the Schrammstein area. If you want to walk the way back down to the valley, you can get directly to the spa park on the Kirnitzsch River via the Luther Trail.

Daily travel times:

April/ October 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

May to September 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

November to March 9 am - 5 pm

Ticket prices (single trip/ round trip):

Adults 1,80 Euro / 2,80 Euro

Childs under 16 1,40 Euro/ 2,20 Euro

Families 4 Euro/ 7 Euro

© Bad Schandauer Kur- und Tourismus GmbH

A green labyrinth full of blossoms and leaves, special plants and trees awaits the visitor of the botanical garden. Winding paths lead through this little paradise on the northern slope of the Kirnitzsch valley. Names like knotweed - a mountain forest plant, forest honeysuckle - the character plant of Saxon Switzerland or crowberry - a rock plant sound like something out of a legend.

Since 1902, the plant has been home to plants from the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the Alps, as well as similar climatic conditions of Asia and North America. From mid-May to September, guided tours provide interesting details about the native flora every Thursday from 5 p.m. onward.

Opening hours:

April to October: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Entrance: 2,50 Euro

Map of the botanical garden

An Ocean of Books welcomes the reader when entering the Library in the Haus des Gastes Bad Schandau. The stock of approximately 25,000 media can be researched in the Web OPAC, reserved and then picked up directly. Well sorted, a wide range of products is available for young and old, for Onleihe bibi-on service offers digital media such as eBooks, ePaper and eAudios for lending.

All access data is available directly at the library during opening hours:

Monday 9 am - 1 pm

Tuesday 9 - 12 h and 1p.m - 5p.m.

Wednesday 12 - 17 h

Thursday closed

Friday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

© Bad Schandauer Kur- und Tourismus GmbH, Julia Häntzschel

If you know a little more about the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, you will see details on your next hike that remained undiscovered before. This is not the only reason why a visit to the National Park Center is worthwhile. There, a lot of information about the peculiarities of the natural area and the concerns of the national park are presented in an interesting way.

The interactive exhibition tells about the formation of the mountains from a primordial sea, about life on the rocks, the changes in nature and the kingdom of animals. There is even an ant zoo and an exciting night walk. In the film hall you will get a real cinema feeling. A multivision show presents impressive images and perspectives of the Saxon Switzerland National Park.

© Nationalpark Zentrum Sächsische Schweiz

The best way to explore a city is with an insider. Exciting stories, funny incidents, historical highlights turn a city tour into a pleasure tour. The Tourist Service team arranges guided tours of Dresden, Prague and Decin.

Our guided walk through Bad Schandau is a special recommendation. The ride in the historic passenger elevator and the fantastic view of the medieval town center alone are worth it. The entertaining details allow a glimpse into the heart of the town. A glass of Saxon wine at the end invites you to share and have interesting conversations.

book a guided walk through Bad Schandau

Events and concerts, active offers and guided tours, lectures, readings and much more - in Bad Schandau and its districts, smaller or larger events offer entertaining, exciting, active things for interested guests.

© Bad Schandauer Kur- und Tourismus GmbH, Romy Geißler

show events

The urban area of Bad Schandau includes a total of seven districts. Each offers playgrounds and corners for a cozy picnic. Sometimes there is also a bowling alley or opportunities for sports. There is no time for boredom!

Our map shows everything at a glance:

After an active day in the beautiful landscape, restaurants, pubs and taverns in and around Bad Schandau welcome their guests with their culinary creations. In most cases, a down-to-earth culinary art with tasty dishes is offered, which are characterized by a seasonal and regional reference. Treat yourself to pleasurable moments of variety and quality.

Landbäckerei Schmidt