Bad Schandau

It is the most famous painting of German Romanticism: "The Wanderer above the Sea of Fog". At dusk, a lone hiker gazes at a mountain landscape half obscured by fog. Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) created this iconic work around 1817 based on sketches from Saxon Switzerland. The introverted master, who spent most of his life in Dresden, loved the wild and romantic rocky landscape not far from the city. He repeatedly wandered through nature, seeking solitude and sketching rocks, mountains, trees and ruins. In his studio, he created fascinating, metaphorical pictorial worlds, faithful in detail, free in composition and intense in effect. On the Caspar David Friedrich Trail and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Painters' Trail, visitors can follow in his footsteps through the region and discover the mystical places that inspired him. Now, for the first time in Saxon Switzerland, there is an exhibition on the famous Romantic artist, who would have celebrated his 250th birthday in 2024. The immersive show "CDFriedrich inspires" in the rooms of the former tourist information office on the market square is both a multimedia memorial and a virtual gallery. With room-filling video projections, it invites visitors to encounter the painter and his work, to see the landscape through his eyes and to understand the creative process - from the sketch to the painting. "Close your physical eye so that you can first see your picture with your mind's eye. Then bring to light what you have seen in the dark, so that it may reflect on others from the outside in," is how Caspar David Friedrich f

Join us for a special hike that nourishes the body, mind, and soul in equal measure. On this mindful sensory hike, you’ll experience Saxon Switzerland in all its scenic diversity—vast, unspoiled, and touchingly beautiful. We’ll enjoy impressive views of the region’s distinctive rock formations. As we pass through the villages of Altendorf and Mittelndorf, we’ll be surrounded by open landscapes, meadows, and forests—and time and again, moments of stillness that invite us to pause and be fully present. The route is characterized by sweeping views, soft ground, and quiet trails—perfect for slowing down your pace and fully immersing yourself in the moment. Attentive listening, feeling, and smelling turn the hike into a sensory experience of nature. Small moments of inspiration, mindful pauses, and observations of nature deepen the experience—without any pressure to perform, but with open senses and an alert heart. Our trail ends in the picturesque Kirnitzschtal valley, where we arrive at the “Forsthaus” hotel—a place that’s perfect for winding down the day and taking a break. You have the option to take the Kirnitzschtalbahn to the Lichtenhain Waterfall or return directly to Bad Schandau via the Kirnitzschtalbahn. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [Book a vacation rental in Saxon Switzerland](http://saechsische-schweiz.de/unterkunft-buchen) through the Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From November 13–15, 2026, the nature and landscape photography community will gather in Bad Schandau for the HerbstlichT photo camp. More than 100 photographers will gather in Saxon Switzerland to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and go out together in search of subjects. The program features sessions, workshops, and photo walks in an autumnal atmosphere. The photo camp is considered a special gathering place for anyone who wants to share their passion for photography with like-minded people in an inspiring setting.

Spend a cozy evening with colleagues and friends at the Braumanufaktur Schmilka! Take a tour of the brewery and take a look behind the scenes - including crazy stories about Schmilka beer! A Christmas gourmet buffet awaits you in the rustic brewing hall with Saxon cuisine classics made from regional ingredients - refined with home-brewed beer! Of course, a freshly tapped beer from the Schmilka brewery should not be missing from the hearty buffet! Beer and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Other specialties, such as beer cocktails, wine, long drinks and our Schmilka brandies, are available at our brewery bar. No wishes remain unfulfilled!

Flour on your hands, the scent of Christmas in the air, andat the endyour very own, homemade stollen: The stollen workshop at the Schmilkaer Mhlenbckerei brings Saxon baking traditions to life. Under expert guidance, youll create your own Christmas stollen step by step. The historic mill bakery provides the perfect setting for an enjoyable afternoon centered on traditional baking craftsmanship. Coffee is included in the workshop price. Each participant receives a stollen they baked themselves. Pickup is available the following day; alternatively, the stollen can be shipped for . Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from November 21 to December 20, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Price: per person, including coffee and a homemade stollen. Maximum of 10 participants per session. Advance registration is required: marketing@schmilka.de or info@schmilka.de.

Look forward to our atmospheric Advent stroll in the middle of wintry Bad Schandau! Creative craft activities for young and old, handmade gift ideas and live music to create a real Christmas atmosphere await you. There will also be mulled wine, waffles and many other winter treats - perfect for enjoying and lingering.

Club culture meets bathing culture: always on the first Saturday of the month, water-loving DJs present a live mixed program of aquatic dream sounds, chilled beats and spherical ambient sounds at Toskana Therme. The repertoire ranges from established scene greats to dedicated newcomers with a focus on electronic music. The host of the evening is artist-in-residence [micro:form] alias Stachy.DJ, whose work and guests always ensure the highest quality sound experiences. Thanks to the unique Liquid Sound® concept, the music can be heard not only above, but also under water. Once a quarter there is "Liquid Sound Club PLUS" - DJ-meets-live music, electronic music from the DJ and live musicians in dialog. That's clubbing in swimwear! Retreats The monthly event is particularly appealing to bathers who want to combine the pleasures of a relaxing wellness break with an atmospheric club visit. Those who prefer to immerse themselves in the familiar sounds of the Toskana Therme will find an island of tranquillity in the [Sauna World](https://toskanaworld.net/toskana-therme-bad-schandau-de/ausstattung/saunawelt/). Liquid Sound Club online [www.liquidsoundclub.com](http://www.liquidsoundclub.com) [www.facebook.com/liquidsoundclub](http://www.facebook.com/liquidsoundclub) [www.soundcloud.com/liquidsoundclub](http://www.soundcloud.com/liquidsoundclub) The water-filled concert hall The Elbe flows here, the climbing rocks of Saxon Switzerland loom there and spa guests relax in the middle with a panoramic view of the adventure panorama: Toskana Therme Bad S

We experience the sunrise on this photowalk at the fantastic view of the Breite Kluft and on the upper terrace path. The Breite Kluft is known for its wide panorama over the Schmilka basin, to the Rauschenstein and into the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz. At this time of year, the sun rises directly behind us, casting a special light on the fresh greenery. This offers the opportunity to capture landscape photography without direct backlighting and therefore have more time to capture interesting perspectives and the grazing light over the Elbe valley. The ascent requires a good level of fitness and surefootedness. Under professional guidance, the SIGMA Photowalk will give you a refresher on the basics of photography and, of course, numerous tips and tricks on composition rules. The use of different focal lengths will also be discussed. All participants of the SIGMA Photowalk are picked up where they are photographically. The photowalk leader will accompany you on your photographic journey with his know-how and exciting tasks. There will also be plenty of time to ask individual questions! During the photowalk, you will have the opportunity to try out various [SIGMA lenses](https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/sigma) on site under supervision. The SIGMA lens loan is included in the price. There is a limited selection of rental lenses available! Start is at 03:30 at [Wanderparkplatz Holzlagerplatz](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uMYKtGHeEzT7EKqC9) (direction Schmilka).

The baroque castle from the 17th century provides the atmospheric setting for what is probably the smallest Advent market in Saxon Switzerland, which is the result of a private initiative by the friends of the castle. The third year of the event also offers lovingly designed stalls and a multitude of touching Christmas moments. The historic rooms themselves tell exciting stories and are open to you for a tour on this day.

The Christmas brunch will take place at the StrandGut organic restaurant in Schmilka. The brunch buffet features organic dishes made with regional ingredients. The selection includes a variety of breakfast and lunch items as well as beverages. The peaceful surroundings and the winter season provide an atmospheric setting for this communal brunch. Price: €59.00 per person.

## The longest bathing night of the year! Half dreaming, half dancing, bathers enjoy a program of live and electronic music, light and video projections from Saturday evening to Sunday morning. For a whole long night, the three exceptional thermal baths will be the setting for this unique festival. The program starts on Saturday, 1 November at 18:00 and ends on Sunday at 09:00. On the stage above the water, there will be concert highlights, fantastic video art, the nightly Liquid Sound Club acts and early morning fog music between the last dream in the deckchair and the first espresso in the bistro bar. ## Festival program There are premieres to marvel at at the Liquid Sound Festival: - Visual installation FLUID_M by [Jo Siamon Salich](https://josiamonsalich.jimdofree.com/) from Dresden. The description says "Visitors enter an immersive image and sound environment, a spatial perception that melts into itself, which is also supported by the ambient sound. A meditation space is created in which the audience can withdraw and be absorbed." Enriched by interactive FlowDance by [ANDY IX](http://www.enlightainment.de/cyberkinetix.html). - Earthbound journey to Europe's north, Swedish folk sensitively played by [Sveriges Vänner](https://soundcloud.com/sverigesvaenner). - The Liquid Sound Temple is home to artists who create soundscapes for those floating in the water as part of the Liquid Sound Residency series - with Lasch & Shannon Soundquist (DE), mʊdʌki (phonon~ crew, CZ/BLR), Zedernbuche (DE), (ID)-entity work in progress (CZ), Seljuk Rustum (IN), Tatjana Bikic (DE), Hart

Together with the Salon-Streichorchester Dresden, we warmly welcome you to the new year - now traditionally on the third Sunday in January. In the historic Kaminsaal well-known and lesser-known "Schlager" from the 1930s to 1950s will be played. Many of these classics are actually film scores - the films have often been forgotten, but the music seems to remain forever young. Founded in 1996, the twelve musicians of the Dresden orchestra delight audiences with danceable salon music in a classical string line-up - complemented by piano, drums and vocals. In addition to the Viennese waltz, they play foxtrot, slow fox, tango and Latin American music. Convince yourself of the versatility and virtuosity of the artists, let yourself be enchanted by their music and start the new year in high spirits!