Saxon Switzerland

A national park south-east of Dresden, known for its sandstone rock formations, deep gorges, and the Bastei viewpoint high above the River Elbe. A network of walking trails winds through the distinctive rocky landscape that has inspired German painters and travel writers for centuries. From Berlin this is a lengthy full-day excursion — roughly 180 km each way — so it requires an early start and considerably more time in transit than destinations such as Potsdam or Spreewald.