Rathen is a spa town in Saxon Switzerland, Germany. It is close to the Bastei, the most famous rock formation and spectacular viewpoint in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
- The Bastei. a group of rock outcroppings that form a popular tourist destination in Saxon Switzerland. They offer spectacular views of the Elbe and you can see the remains of an old medieval stronghold. The walk from Rathen is steep, there are about 150 Metres in altitude difference, but well worth it. Paths are signposted and well-maintained and the steeper sections have steps.
There is no direct road route or public transport service from Rathen to the Bastei, although if you don't want to walk uphill you can take the bus routes from other towns mentioned above. The small access road to the Bastei branches off from the Lohmen- Rathewalde road. It is about 3 km from the main road. There is a parking lot about 500 m from the Bastei rock formation (parking fees apply). If that is overcrowded, as can easily happen in summer or any sunny weekend, there is another parking lot at the crossroads from the main road (parking fees). Walk or shuttle bus, 1,50 € pP.
- Felsenburg Neurathen. Using the Bastei rock as a defensive position, the remains of this 13-century-castle are now an open-air-museum.
The Bastei. a group of rock outcroppings that form a popular tourist destination in Saxon Switzerland. They offer spectacular views of the Elbe and you can see the remains of an old medieval stronghold.
Felsenburg Neurathen. Using the Bastei rock as a defensive position, the remains of this 13-century-castle are now an open-air-museum.
- Hiking: Many hiking trails start or pass through the area.
- Felsenbühne Rathen. An attractive open-air theatre in a beautiful natural surrounding. Stagings include Karl May's works (like "Winnetou") and the romantic opera Der Freischütz ("The Marksman") by Carl Maria von Weber, using elaborate stage effects like fireworks and horses.
Hiking: Many hiking trails start or pass through the area.
Felsenbühne Rathen. An attractive open-air theatre in a beautiful natural surrounding. Stagings include Karl May's works (like "Winnetou") and the romantic opera Der Freischütz ("The Marksman") by Carl Maria von Weber, using elaborate stage effects like fireworks and horses.
Souvenir shops have only the typical mass-produced tourist scrap on offer.
Once you step off the ferry various restaurants and small food stands (selling Bratwurst and the likes) line the road up the hill.
- Bastei Berghotel. The hotel runs several places to eat, from the Panoramarestaurat with great views and steep prices, a Hotel restaurant with open log fire to beer garden and snack places. Opening times vary, depending on the season. Contact see Hotel.
Bastei Berghotel. The hotel runs several places to eat, from the Panoramarestaurat with great views and steep prices, a Hotel restaurant with open log fire to beer garden and snack places. Opening times vary, depending on the season. Contact see Hotel.
There is a beer garden on the Bastei opened in summer.
- Königstein, 16th-century mountain fortress, one of the biggest in Europe (7 km to the south)
- Bad Schandau, idyllic spa town (8 km to the southeast, 9 minutes by train)
- By suburban train or car to Dresden (40 km, half an hour by train)
- The Czech Republic is close by. Eurocity-trains connecting to Prague and Brno stop in Bad Schandau as well as in Dresden. Some regional trains also cross the border. The next city on the Czech side is Děčín (30 km, 45 minutes by train)