Best castles to visit in Saxony | Our top picks

Germany is the country for fairytale castles, and nowhere proves it better than Saxony. With around 1,000 castles, palaces, and fortresses scattered across the state, often paired with grand parks and landscaped gardens, this borderland with Czechia and Poland is a dream for architecture lovers.

From medieval strongholds to lavish Baroque estates, Saxony’s castles showcase centuries of power, taste, and ego – especially under its most flamboyant ruler, Augustus the Strong, who never saw a ceiling he didn’t want frescoed. His legacy? Castles that still impress today.

Here’s our pick of the best castles to visit in Saxony – ideal stops for a castle road trip through one of Germany’s most historically rich and visually dramatic regions.

What are the best castles to visit in Saxony?

If you’re planning a Germany itinerary that goes beyond the usual big cities, it’s time to look east – Saxony castles are among the most impressive in the country. This is where medieval fortresses sit on cliffs, Renaissance palaces line the Elbe, and Baroque masterpieces rise from perfectly mirrored lakes. And the best part? Many of them are still under the radar for international visitors.

Expect variety. Some castles in Saxony are defensive beasts, like the sprawling hilltop Königstein Fortress. Others, like Moritzburg Castle, are all about flair – built to entertain royals and show off wealth. Then you’ve got Colditz, infamous for WWII POW escapes, and Albrechtsburg, considered Germany’s first proper royal residence.

What makes Saxony castles stand out isn’t just their architecture – it’s their settings. Forested hills, river valleys, and wine-growing villages add to the drama. Plus, many are an easy day trip from Dresden or Leipzig.

For travelers chasing fairytale views, historical depth, and fewer crowds, Saxony delivers. These castles are not just photogenic – they’re some of the best places to visit in Germany if you want real stories behind the stonework.

1. Albrechtsburg Castle

Perched on a hill above the Elbe River in Meissen, Albrechtsburg Castle is a late Gothic showpiece – and one of the best castles in Saxony. Built in the 15th century, it was the first castle in Germany designed purely as a royal residence, setting the tone for centuries of stately living.

It later became the birthplace of European porcelain when Augustus the Strong established the Meissen porcelain factory here in 1710 – a bold move that turned Saxony into a global ceramics player. You can still sense that legacy throughout the castle’s halls and exhibitions.

Inside, restored 19th-century wall paintings tell Saxony’s story room by room. For a deeper dive, grab a HistoPad – a digital guide that brings three time periods to life. It lets you “attend” a 1493 farewell banquet for Frederick the Wise, explore hidden art collections from World War II, and get behind the scenes of 18th-century porcelain production.

A mix of cutting-edge tech and deep history makes Albrechtsburg not just a top castle visit, but one of the more underrated things to do in Germany for culture lovers. It’s where Saxon tradition meets innovation, with killer river views to match.

2. Moritzburg Castle

If you’re after a proper fairytale setting, Moritzburg Castle is the one to beat. Just outside Dresden, this Baroque beauty sits on a symmetrical island in the middle of a lake – and yes, it’s as photogenic as it sounds.

Built as a hunting lodge for Augustus the Strong, it quickly evolved into a palace of excess, perfect for hosting over-the-top parties. Inside, expect luxurious details like gold-embossed leather wallpaper and the bizarre but brilliant Feather Room, where the wall hangings are made entirely from natural and artificial feathers.

Augustus didn’t stop there. The surrounding park holds more surprises – including the Little Pheasant Castle, a miniature palace built just for show, and Saxony’s only lighthouse, attached to a small harbour where mock naval battles once entertained bored aristocrats.

Moritzburg is where Saxon opulence goes full theatrical. For anyone planning a trip to Germany with castles in mind, this one easily earns its place on the list – it’s bold, flamboyant, and completely over the top in the best possible way.

3. Dresden’s Zwinger

It’s impossible to talk about Saxon grandeur without mentioning the Zwinger – a Baroque masterpiece commissioned by Augustus the Strong in 1709. Built from sandstone quarried in Saxon Switzerland, this sprawling palace complex was designed to showcase wealth, power, and art – and it still does.

The Zwinger’s architecture is all about theatrical flair. Interconnected pavilions, sweeping galleries, and ornamental gates enclose a vast courtyard that once hosted courtly festivities. Today, most of the interior houses world-class museums – reason enough to put this on your list of the best castles in Saxony, even if it’s more palace than fortress.

Highlights include the Old Masters Picture Gallery in the Semper Wing, featuring works by Raphael, Rembrandt, and Vermeer, including the iconic Sistine Madonna. The Dresden Porcelain Collection is one of the largest in the world, and the recently restored Royal State Apartments and Small Ballroom bring Augustus’s flair for the dramatic to life.

The Zwinger isn’t your typical castle – it’s louder, richer, and built to impress. If you’re drawn to art, history, and architecture on a grand scale, this place delivers.

4. Colditz Castle

Colditz Castle has nearly a millennium of history behind its walls, but it’s best known today for its dramatic 20th-century chapter. Perched above the Mulde River south of Leipzig, it gained worldwide fame as Oflag IV-C, a high-security POW camp for Allied officers during World War II, and the setting of the classic film The Colditz Story.

The on-site Escape Museum reveals the ingenuity of those imprisoned here, including detailed exhibits on hidden tunnels, disguises, and a full-size replica of the Colditz Glider, secretly built in the attic.

But Colditz wasn’t always a wartime fortress. Before all that, it served as an imperial seat under Emperor Barbarossa, and later as a Saxon royal residence. That long timeline makes it one of the most historically layered spots in the region – and still one of the most atmospheric.

It also doubles as a youth hostel, so you can sleep in the castle. And if you’re into hiking in Saxony, the surrounding countryside offers scenic routes along the Mulde Valley – a quieter but rewarding slice of Saxon landscape to explore.

5. Hartenfels Castle

For pure Renaissance elegance, Hartenfels Castle in Torgau is hard to beat. Overlooking the Elbe River about 90 minutes northwest of Dresden, it was once the power base of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, and a key player in the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther preached here and even consecrated the castle chapel – the first newly built Protestant church in the world. That alone makes it a must-see for Reformation buffs. But history keeps piling on: the castle later served as a Napoleonic fortress and a Prussian army barracks.

The architecture is just as compelling. Don’t miss the Grosser Wendelstein, a sweeping spiral staircase in the inner courtyard that looks like it was built to impress royalty (spoiler: it was). Climb the Hausmann Tower for panoramic views over Torgau and the surrounding countryside.

Of all the castles in Saxony, Hartenfels stands out for its unique mix of political, religious, and military history, wrapped in one seriously photogenic Renaissance shell.

6. Weesenstein Castle

Built into the rock above the Müglitz Valley, Weesenstein Castle is a fascinating mash-up of styles – part fortress, part palace. Located between the Ore Mountains and Saxon Switzerland National Park, it’s well-positioned for those exploring places for outdoor activities in Germany, especially in the southeast.

Over more than 800 years, the castle expanded from a medieval stronghold to an aristocratic residence, stacking itself into eight levels of architecture that span Gothic to Classicism. The result is both chaotic and charming, and surprisingly well preserved.

Inside, the rooms give a real sense of how Saxon nobility once lived. There’s a dining room lined with gold-leather wallpaper over 300 years old, and another decorated with hand-painted Chinese paper – both rare survivors.

The castle’s adjacent park is perfect for a relaxed wander, especially with kids in tow. If you’re visiting Germany with kids, Weesenstein is a low-key gem – educational without being dull, with enough outdoor space to stretch legs and imaginations.

It may not be the most famous, but Weesenstein is one of Saxony’s most intriguing historic sites – a layered timeline in stone.

7. Königstein Fortress

Set 240 meters above the Elbe River on a sandstone plateau, Königstein Fortress is an absolute giant. With 42-meter-high outer walls and a sprawling layout of more than 30 buildings, it’s the largest mountain fortress in Europe – and easily one of the best castles in Saxony.

Its position above the Elbe Valley in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains offers some of the most dramatic views in the region, especially over Saxon Switzerland National Park. Despite its size and visibility, the fortress was never taken – a testament to its clever design and sheer scale.

There’s more to Königstein than epic views and thick walls. In 1725, Augustus the Strong decided to outdo everyone by commissioning the world’s largest wine barrel – with a capacity of 238,600 litres. While the original is long gone, you can visit a modern glass-and-steel replica in the fortress’s old wine cellar, complete with sound and light installation.

This is a full-day destination – part museum, part fortress, part scenic lookout. It’s not just a fortress you walk through, it’s one you feel. For castle-lovers, history buffs, and anyone with a camera, Königstein doesn’t disappoint.

8. Pillnitz Palace and Park

On the banks of the Elbe River, just outside Dresden, Pillnitz Palace and Park served as the Saxon royal family’s summer retreat – and it’s easy to see why. This elegant riverside estate combines Baroque showmanship, Chinese-inspired architecture, and sprawling landscaped gardens in one peaceful package.

Commissioned by Augustus the Strong, the palace complex includes three distinct buildings, two of which are styled with East Asian flair, reflecting the 18th-century fashion for chinoiserie. But it’s the gardens that steal the show.

You’ll find a palm house, winding chestnut avenues, more than 2,000 trees and shrubs, and a 250-year-old Japanese camellia that still blooms each spring. In total, over 35,000 blossoms make this one of the most colorful castle parks in Saxony – ideal for a lazy afternoon of wandering or a riverside picnic.

For extra flair, arrive by paddle steamer from Dresden – a scenic and stylish way to start your visit. While it’s more pleasure palace than fortress, Pillnitz earns its place with grace, history, and picture-perfect charm.

9. Kriebstein Castle

If you were to draw the perfect medieval castle from memory – towers, drawbridge, perched on a cliff – it would probably look a lot like Kriebstein Castle. Rising dramatically above the Zschopau River, this is one of the best-preserved and most picturesque Saxony castles, and it’s straight out of a fairytale (or a dark German legend).

Built in the 14th century, Kriebstein’s original Gothic structure is still largely intact. Inside, you’ll find a knight’s hall, historic living quarters, and wall paintings that haven’t lost their bite. The tour takes you through tight staircases, creaky wooden galleries, and viewpoints that put the surrounding valley on full display.

It’s also one of the few castles where you can get the sense of medieval life, not just aristocratic elegance, but also defensive grit. Keep an eye out for the working drawbridge and steep drop-offs on all sides.

For travelers seeking Saxony castles that feel authentic, atmospheric, and a little off the mainstream tourist trail, Kriebstein is a must.

10. Gnandstein Castle

Gnandstein Castle might not have the grandeur of Saxony’s baroque showpieces, but what it lacks in flair, it makes up for in solid medieval muscle. Built in the 13th century and sitting quietly near the Thuringian border, it’s one of the most complete castles in Saxony from the Romanesque period.

This is a proper stronghold – thick walls, narrow windows, and a fortified tower you can climb for a commanding view of the countryside. Inside, the museum gives a raw and real glimpse into medieval everyday life, from weaponry to rudimentary living quarters.

Its lesser-known status means fewer crowds, which adds to the charm. You’ll likely have much of the site to yourself – just you, the stone walls, and centuries of stories.