The 9 Best Day Trips from Meissen, Germany

Dresden, often referred to as the Florence of the North, is an opulent city famous for its long history, stunning architecture and rich art and music scene. It will take at least a week to explore its globally reputed museums, lovely riverside and stunning buildings; but a day would certainly give you a feel of the city and leave you determined to come back. When in town for a day, don’t miss the Zwinger, the neo-Renaissance Royal Palace, the art collection at Albertinum and the captivating Frauenkirche.

Distance from Meissen: 18.3 mi /29.5 Km

The super-cool Leipzig is lately trending among travelers as the place for a thrilling city escape. Leipzig’s skyline is made of elaborate, historic architecture like the Federal Administrative Court, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, Gohlis Palace and City Hall, among others. Much like Dresden, Leipzig has a rich music history and hosts world-famous music events and festivals.

Distance from Meissen: 69.5 mi /112 Km

For wine connoisseurs, a day trip from Meissen can’t get more perfect than Radebeul. This beautiful town is the queen of Saxony’s wine region, and its history of viticulture can be traced back to the 1300s. From elegant castles (like Castle Wackerbarth) to small family-run businesses, Radebeul boasts excellent wine-tasting spots as well as lush vineyards to explore.

Distance from Meissen: 9.3 mi /15.1 Km

The Saxon city of Görlitz is the easternmost city of Germany and the shooting location for famous movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Reader and Inglourious Basterds. This charming medieval city is home to a series of architectural gems like the Schönhof, St. Peter and Paul Church, St Marienthal Abbey and Fat Tower and interesting museums such as Senckenberg Museum für Naturkunde, Görlitz Spielzeugmuseum, Schlesisches Museum and more.
Distance from Meissen:75 mi /121 Km

At Bautzen, sitting shyly by the River Spree, nothing much has changed in the last several centuries. Its most famous landmarks are Ortenburg Castle, Alt Wasserkunst, and St Peter’s Cathedral, all of which are beautiful sights worth exploring. Saurierpark Kleinwelka, home to dinosaur replicas, is invariably a big hit for families with children.

Distance from Meissen: 46.3 mi /76.4 Km

The wild expanse of Saxon Switzerland National Park promises a wonderful tryst with nature, plus some mind-boggling architecture. The icon of the national park is the surreal Bastei Bridge, which gives the illusion of being a natural part of the imposing Elbe Mountain Range, and offers panoramic views across the national park.

Distance from Meissen: 47 mi /76 Km

The medieval town of Wittenberg is famous as the birthplace of Martin Luther, the greatest figure in the history of Protestant Reformation. Wittenberg’s pride for its great son is evident in the monuments dedicated to Martin Luther. His residence and place of work is now a museum (Lutherhaus Museum) open to public tours. You can also visit the Castle Church on the door of which Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses in 1517 and the St. Mary’s Church where he once preached. Another highlight of Wittenberg is the beautifully preserved medieval old town, dominated by its stunning town hall.

Distance from Meissen: 117 mi /189 Km

The icon of Chemnitz is the massive heavy-duty 13-meter tall bronze sculpture of the head of Karl Marx. Alongside, the quaint medieval Rabenstein Castle, the excellent Saxon Railway Museum, the fine arts museum Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz and the State Museum of Archeology make Chemnitz a perfect destination for a day trip from Meissen.

Distance from Meissen: 45.5 mi /73.3 Km

The town of Zwickau is rather under-hyped, though it’s a popular destination for automobile enthusiasts (for the famous August Horch Automobile Museum) and admirers of the works of German composer Robert Schumann. However, a day exploring the magnificent St. Mary’s Church, admiring the art collection at the century-old Max-Pechstein-Museum and tracing the life and works of Robert Schumann is bound to be immensely enjoyable.

Distance from Meissen: 69 mi /111 Km