Schloss Weesenstein is a very beautiful place to visit and it can be a stop on your visit through Saxony. It is an interesting combination of palace and castle, perched high on a rocky outcrop above the Müglitz river valley in the Ore Mountains and also close to the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The architectural masterpiece with eight floors has evolved each stone for over 800 years, which is why you can find style elements from Gothic to Classic here. One of the few buildings of its kind, it has an extremely well-preserved interior that gives an insight into the lives of the aristocratic inhabitants. These include the 300-year-old gold leather wallpaper that decorates the dining room, the wallpaper made of handmade Chinese paper, and the "Love and Soul" panorama wallpaper from 1816. In addition, the adjoining park with its beautiful layout and impressive views from the park to the castle is a great place to retreat.

The entrance fee to visit the gardens is about $10 and an audio guide is $4 but it is worth it because of the amount of information presented. Besides, it only takes about 30 minutes to walk around Weesenstein's grounds. This is a definite must-visit if you love the architecture of castles.

Location: Am Schloßberg 1, 01809 Müglitztal, Saxony, Germany.

Moritzburg Castle is arguably the prettiest moated castle in Saxony. It is named after Duke Maurice, who built his own hunting lodge near Dresden in 1542. In 1723, Augustus the Strong transformed it into a magnificent baroque castle in the middle of a large pond and park.

Located in Randburg, Moritzburg is a stunning castle amidst a beautiful setting in a small town. From the outside, visitors will be impressed by the unique details such as four large round towers at the 4 corners of the castle with two colors of white and gold. Initially, they were built separately from each other, but by the 18th century, they were connected into a unified whole. That makes the building beautiful from all sides, great location and a very nice view.

The corridors surrounding the palace display many baroque hunting statues. You can find stairs on the castle's west and east sides. Walking around the castle, you can look inside to see the reconstructions of the stone masons. Very worth it. Across the bridge, you can ride carriages of varying lengths. There's also a long line and there's a great restaurant right across the bridge. In addition, close to Christmas, there is a cute Christmas market in front of the castle gate.

Location: Schloßallee, 01468 Moritzburg, Saxony, Germany

The Japanese Palace with decoration presented as a propaganda tool for a Saxon product has the outstanding advantage of originality. The Japanese Palace is a baroque building on the banks of the Elbe River. The structure houses three museums, the State Museum of Prehistory, the Ethnological Museum, and the Senckenberg Natural History Collections. All three museums have impressive permanent collections and temporary exhibitions The sculptures in the building are in classical Chinoiserie style. The porcelain collection was never housed here as originally intended and the palace was used as an electoral library and sculpture museum. The building was completely demolished in 1945 and restored in 1954.

The Japanese Palace is a major tourist attraction in Dresden because visitors can view three diverse collections in three distinct museums within one building. The large building is attractive from the outside as a result of that combination. There have been several museums in the past and traveling exhibits but they no longer are here. It has a small cafe and a lot of vacant unused space. The grounds are nicely maintained and you can't beat the location right on the Elbe. It has wonderful views of the "old town" skyline.

Location: Palais 11, 01097 Dresden, Saxony, Germany

Pillnitz Palace dates back to the 18th century. It used to be the venue for many weddings and festivities back in Augustus the Strong’s time. Museums moved into the Palace in the 20th century and the Palace Park is the city’s most beautiful recreational resort for both Dresdeners and tourists from all over the world. Located only about 15 km from the center of Dresden, the capital of the Saxon state, the Pillnitz Palace & Park is regarded as one of the most important Chinese palace estates throughout Europe. Architectural and landscape complex set against the backdrop of vineyards.

The main reason to visit Pillnitz palace is the fantastic baroque garden. Strolling through the verdant maze of hedges and flower beds is a favorite pastime of locals and tourists alike. The park is quite large, about 28 hectares, and is home to many smaller and larger sights. At the far end of the park, you will find the Chinese Pavillion. Unlike many other constructions of the time, this one is considered to be the best replica of a closed Asian pavilion in Europe. You cannot go inside, although you may catch a glimpse of the Chinese landscapes on the walls of the single room through the windows on the side. With such diversity, it is thought to be a perfect destination for culture and garden lovers and families.

Location: August-Böckstiegel-Straße 2, 01326 Dresden, Saxony, Germany.

Zwinger, also known as Zwinger Palace, is a historical landmark complex in Dresden, Germany. It also houses parts of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden State Art Collections). Located in the heart of the Saxon state capital, the Dresden Zwinger ranks among Germany’s most well-known Baroque buildings. Besides, apart from the Church of Our Lady, it is undoubtedly the most famous monument building in Dresden. It accommodates internationally renowned museums and hosts musical and theatrical performances. It's a massive building with multiple attractions. The place combines a baroque palace, museums, art gallery, park, and terrace, with fountains, and stairs sculptures. A beautiful place to discover, learn and relax. An absolute must-see in Dresden.

Everybody seems to know that, there is no doubting the popularity of this palace. On a nice sunny day, pick up a book and read or watch people going around! The fountains are lovely and there are museums to visit if you get bored sitting in the sun or going to a classical concert in the Wall Pavillion. It is no exaggeration to say that Zwinger is a definite must-see on your itinerary to visit the architecture related to palaces and castles in Saxony.

Location: Sophienstraße, 01067 Dresden, Saxony, Germany

Royal Palace (i.e.Dresden Castle) is one of the oldest buildings in Dresden, Germany. For almost 400 years, it was the residence of the electors and kings of the Kingdom of Saxony from the House of Albertine of Wettin as well as the kings of Poland.

Strolling around Dresden city center, in general, is magic in itself considering the architecture and the vibe of the city, and then one stumbles upon this beautiful building. Each building has its own character and Royal Palace is no exception. It contains interesting exhibits and visitors should visit inside. The castle exhibits are extensive and enormous. It took over many hours to just go through one floor. Visitors can listen to the free audio guide because of the information overload. There are exhibits of armory, weapons, clothes, money, coins, and treasures. It is truly mind-boggling and your brain stops processing after a while. All the interesting, visually appealing, bilingual exhibits and great audio guides are a lot of fun.

The wonderful museum bookstore with several rooms. There is a massive collection of historical books, photographs, and cards. Lots of souvenir items. A person can spend hours here. Afterward, visitors can stop at the coffee shop to relax and enjoy a coffee. Lots of pastries are also available. While waiting to join the tour, you can take the time to take pictures of the beautiful Royal Palace with its lush green landscape.

Location: Taschenberg 2, 01067 Dresden, Saxony, Germany

Hartenfels Castle is a true masterpiece of the early Renaissance, beautifully hidden in Torgau, one of the German Renaissance's prettiest towns and the Reformation's political center. One of the most modern palace complexes in Europe was erected on the foundations of a castle in the 16th century when the Large Spiral Staircase was built and the Castle Chapel was consecrated by Martin Luther himself.

Hartenfels Castle was fortified on the bank of the Elbe River. The spiral staircase in the courtyard, like a centerpiece of the castle, is breathtaking. In addition, visitors can marvel at the castle church, the first Protestant church, the background in the lower courtyard, and the exhibition "Traces of Unrighteousness" by the Documentation and Information Center (DIZ) Torgau. Besides, the famous residents of the castle are brown bears. During the 16th century, the owner of the castle wanted to hunt bears in his yard.

This is considered to be the world’s first-ever Protestant church. In the late 18th and 19th centuries, the castle became part of the Saxon-Napoleonic fortifications and later served as a barracks for the Prussian Army. The multimedia exhibition at Hartenfels Castle offers precious insights into everyday courtly life in Torgau. You can round off your day with the glorious view from the Hausmann Tower and a pleasant visit to the castle café.

Location: Schloßstraße 27, 04860 Torgau, Saxony, Germany