How to Spend Summer in Saxony

Saxony is Germany’s easternmost state and one of the least known to travelers. Until the early 1990s it was locked behind the Iron Curtain, then it took years to rebuild from World War II bombing and decades of neglect under Russian occupation. But today’s Saxony is an exciting place to explore, especially for family travelers.

Summer and fall are the perfect seasons, with lively festivals and street life, beautiful parks, and gardens in full bloom. And even though December is months away, you’ll always find Christmas in Saxony.

Castles and Palaces
It’s hard to choose among the several castles open to the public, but, for kids, favorites are Koenigstein Castle and Weesenstein, both free with SchlösserlandPASS, which includes one adult and two children. Enter Koenigstein across a bridge and through a tunnel to find models, life-sized costumed figures and media stations telling the castle’s story. Get the audio guide in English for ages 6–12.

Weesenstein is an interesting mix of palace and castle with a curious upside-down feeling; the dark and spooky medieval cellar is at the top and the Baroque palace is below. You won’t want to miss the over-the-top collections of gold and jewels in Dresden’s Royal Palace, where kids also enjoy seeing royal clothing (including children’s) and the collection of armor.

Zoos and Parks
In the center of Dresden, Great Garden has plenty of room to run. Kids can also ride the miniature railway to watch Humboldt penguins at Dresden Zoo. One of Europe’s best, Zoo Leipzig features natural habitats that include a Siberian landscape for rare Amur tigers and a eucalyptus forest for koalas. Take the Treetop trail through a jungle canopy and ride a boat through a rain forest.

Christmas Towns
Saxony is known for its beautiful painted Christmas decorations, from tiny angels and Santas to boldly colored nutcrackers and elaborate carved carousels that turn from the heat of candles. The center for these is in the Ore Mountains, not far from Dresden, and two colorful museums are dedicated to the craft. These museums are not just fun for young kids; at Manufaktur der Träume, our teen was entranced watching the intricate animated scenes inhabited by tiny carved figures.