Picture a slender Art Nouveau steel tower rising above the rooftops of Bad Schandau — and instead of hiking up, you simply take a lift. The Ostrauer Aufzug is one of the quirkiest attractions in Saxon Switzerland: a historic passenger elevator from 1905 that whisks visitors up to a scenic plateau called Ostrauer Scheibe in a matter of seconds.

The reward at the top is a sweeping view over the Elbe valley, the rooftops of Bad Schandau, and the surrounding hills of Saxon Switzerland National Park. The tower itself stands over 52 metres tall and overcomes an elevation gain of nearly 48 metres — an impressive sight up close. In summer the viewing platform gets busy with visitors, while spring and autumn offer quieter moments and equally lovely colours across the landscape. It's well worth combining with a walk along the nearby Ostrau trails.

How to get there

• Bad Schandau town centre — on foot, a few minutes, easy
• The lower station is right in town; the upper station opens onto Ostrauer Scheibe, connected by a footbridge to the cliff edge

Practical information

• There is an admission fee
• Tower height: 52.26 m, elevation gain: 47.76 m
• At the top there's a viewing platform linked by a 27.80 m bridge to the rock face
• Listed as a protected historic monument since 1954

The elevator even had its moment on the big screen — it appeared in Wes Anderson's 2013 film 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', adding a touch of cinematic charm to a visit.