Hohnstein Castle is the only surviving fortress on the right bank of the Elbe in Saxon Switzerland — and standing before it, you immediately understand why it became the landmark of this small Saxon town. Perched 140 metres above the Polenz Valley on a solid sandstone rock, it commands sweeping views over one of Germany's most dramatic national park landscapes.

The setting changes with every season. In spring, the wooded Polenz Valley below bursts into fresh green; summer brings hikers from across Europe exploring the sandstone rock labyrinths nearby; autumn wraps the cliffs in warm amber and red; and in winter, the castle takes on an almost fairy-tale quality in the frosty stillness. The views from the castle walls over the valley and the surrounding sandstone hills are rewarding at any time of year.

• Town of Hohnstein (market square parking) — access to the castle is only possible via the market square, a short easy walk of a few minutes
• Polenz Valley trails — hiking paths from the valley floor lead up to Hohnstein, moderate difficulty

• The castle houses a youth hostel with around 160 beds
• A natural history museum (geology, botany, zoology) is located within the castle grounds
• A major renovation began in August 2024 — some areas may be restricted; check before visiting
• The castle courtyard is publicly accessible; verify current opening hours in advance

Here's a curious fact: the famous German puppet theatre tradition 'Hohnsteiner Kasper' held its very first performances within these castle walls back in 1928 — and the tradition lives on to this day.