Full Breakdown
A Two-Week Journey from Prague to the Sandstone Peaks of Northern Czechia and Saxon Switzerland
By Drooid · · How we work
Starting in the Capital with a Prague Visitor Pass
The itinerary begins with two days in Prague, using a 48-hour Prague Visitor Pass that covers public transit, a ride on historic Tram 42, and admission to major sites such as the Clementinum’s Baroque Library Hall, the Astronomical Tower, and a guided tour of New City Hall’s paternoster elevators. The pass also secures reserved entry to attractions that often sell out, allowing visitors to explore the Old Town, Jewish Quarter, and an underground medieval tour that reveals streets rebuilt after historic floods.
Driving North: Car Rental and the Bohemian Paradise
Leaving the capital, a rental from Europcar Israel—offering an Israeli-resident promotion and an excess-waiver option—provides a Škoda Kodiaq equipped with adaptive cruise control and Lane Assist, useful on the narrow, village-lined roads of Czechia. The first major stop is the Bohemian Paradise (Ceský ráj), where a 3.5 km circular trail through the Prachov Rocks takes roughly two and a half hours and climbs about 250 m. Highlights include the sandstone formations known as The Lovers, The Tooth, The Indian, and The Elephants, as well as nearby Hrubá Skála Castle for a lunch break. An alternative, flatter 3 km route to Mariánská vyhlídka offers a shorter hour-and-a-half walk with castle views. The Adršpach Rock City trail, also 3.5 km, passes a lake, the Gothic Gate, a waterfall, and several narrow gorges, requiring about three hours at a relaxed pace.
Forest Heights at the Treetop Walk in Krkonoše
The Krkonoše National Park adds a different perspective with its 43-meter observation tower accessed via an elevated wooden walkway. The Treetop Walk leads visitors from the forest floor up to the canopy, while the Bear Trail lets guests observe resident brown bears Michal and Alica from an overhead enclosure. Even in rainy weather, the suspended net platforms and interpretive displays provide an engaging experience for families.
Crossing into Saxon Switzerland
The journey concludes across the border in Saxon Switzerland, where the historic Bastei Bridge—rebuilt in sandstone in 1851—spans dramatic cliffs above the Elbe Valley. The nearby town of Bad Schandau offers a historic elevator to a panoramic viewpoint and easy access to the bridge’s viewing platforms, which attract large crowds on clear days. The region’s scenery also served as a filming location for *The Chronicles of Narnia*.
Wellness and Relaxation at Hotel Elbresidenz and Toskana Therme
After several days of hiking, the stay at Hotel Elbresidenz in Bad Schandau combines 19th-century architecture with modern restoration. Guests receive unlimited access to the adjacent Toskana Therme, featuring indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, multiple saunas, and an ice fountain. The centerpiece is the Liquid Sound® experience—a warm salt-water pool illuminated by music and projected visuals, offering a tranquil conclusion to the active itinerary.