About the trip
On the border between Bohemia and Saxony, two national parks share one extraordinary landscape: a world of towering sandstone cliffs, deep river gorges, ancient pine forests, and natural rock formations that rank among the most dramatic in Central Europe. This day trip takes you through the best of both sides — the Czech Bohemian Switzerland and the German Saxon Switzerland.
The centrepiece on the Czech side is Pravčická Gate (Pravčická brána) — the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe. Standing 16 metres high and spanning 26 metres, it crowns a dramatic ridge above the Elbe canyon with views stretching across forest and rock formations to the horizon. The hike to the gate passes through the Falcon’s Nest restaurant complex, perched dramatically at the cliff edge, and opens onto viewpoints that have been drawing artists and travellers since the Romantic era. Caspar David Friedrich painted this landscape. It still looks like one of his canvases.
The afternoon crosses into Germany to Bastei, one of the most photographed rock formations in Europe. A 19th-century stone bridge connects a series of sandstone pillars 194 metres above the Elbe River, offering views that are genuinely impossible to forget. Below, the ruins of Neurathen Castle, built directly into the rocks, add a further layer of drama to what is already a spectacular location.
This tour works equally well for hikers, photographers, and anyone who simply wants to stand somewhere extraordinary.
You might also enjoy: Adrspach-Teplice Rocks & Kuks, Bohemian Paradise, Liberec & Jested Tower.
Pricing: Car tour — price per kilometre, stops, and waiting time. Vehicle: Hyundai Staria (up to 8 passengers). Entry to Pravčická brána area: approx. 100 CZK/person. Bastei: no entry fee for the bridge viewpoint; Neurathen Castle ruins approx. €3.
Tips: Good walking shoes required — the path to Pravčická brána is uphill (approx. 45 min each way, moderate difficulty). Early morning departure recommended to avoid crowds at Bastei. The area is spectacular in all seasons: autumn colour, winter frost, and spring greenery each offer a different atmosphere. Bring a camera.
Stops
Pravčická Gate 3 h
Pravčická Gate (Pravčická brána) is the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe — 16 metres high, 26 metres wide, and set at the top of a dramatic ridge in Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The approach trail from Mezní Loučka winds through ancient pine forest and past weathered rock formations before opening onto the arch and its clifftop panoramas. The nearby Falcon’s Nest (Sokoloví hnizdecko), a romantic restaurant built into the rock face below the arch, was constructed in 1881 and is one of the most atmospherically located dining spots in Bohemia. From the gate itself, views extend across the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in both directions. The hike is approximately 4 km round trip from the car park, with modest elevation gain, and takes 90–120 minutes at a comfortable pace.
Bastei Bridge (Germany) 1 h
Bastei is the most famous viewpoint in Saxon Switzerland National Park (Germany) and one of the most recognisable rock formations in Central Europe. The Bastei Bridge, built in 1851, connects a series of free-standing sandstone pillars 194 metres above the Elbe River, offering vertiginous views across the canyon and surrounding forest. The ruins of Neurathen Castle, the largest rock castle in Saxony, are integrated directly into the rock pillars — accessible from the bridge by a short walk through the cliff passages. Artists of the German Romantic movement, including Caspar David Friedrich and Ludwig Richter, painted Bastei repeatedly in the early 19th century, cementing its iconic status. The site is busy in summer; your private guide knows the best timing and viewpoints to avoid the crowds.
Price per vehicle with driver (max. 8 persons)
Frequently asked questions
Planning your trip with Private Tours Czech is simple:
- 📍 Choose your pick-up location.
- 🗺️ Plan your route and stops.
- ⏱️ Select the length of each stop or 🛏️ overnight stay.
- 📍 Set your final destination (which can be the same as your starting point).
- 👶 Choose additional services – child seats, a tour guide, 📸 a photographer, or a special photography tour with a photography course.
🚐 Travel in comfortable, spacious vehicles and complete your booking easily online.
💡 If you don’t want to plan the entire trip yourself, you can choose from our Popular Tours section with recommended routes and then customise them to suit your needs.
💳 Payment is made directly to the driver – you can pay in cash or by card in your chosen currency (CZK / EUR / USD upon request).
✅ The price includes everything listed in your confirmed booking – for example, transportation in a comfortable vehicle, professional driver services, and selected additional services.
❌ The price does not include expenses such as parking fees, entrance tickets, local guides, meals, overnight stays, or other personal expenses.
⚠️ Please cancel at least 12 hours before the scheduled pick-up time. For quick cancellation, use the cancellation link in your confirmation email.
🔄 There are two ways to change your booking:
- ❌ Cancel your existing booking using the cancellation link in your confirmation email and create a new one.
- 💬 Contact our customer support via email or chat – our team will make the changes for you.
🚐 We use fully equipped Hyundai Staria 4×4 vehicles for up to 8 passengers, with a fixed price and large luggage capacity.
Perfect for airport transfers, transporting multiple passengers and luggage, weddings, families with children, and trips.
All vehicles feature:
- 🛋️ Leather seats
- 👶 Britax Römer child seats
- 💧 Vittel water
- 🚪 Electric doors
- 🕶️ Tinted windows
- 🛡️ Modern safety systems
- 📶 USB and air conditioning
👨✈️ Drivers are carefully selected, follow strict quality codes, and are regularly checked.
✍️ If you have special requests – such as assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, transport of sports equipment, specific vehicle equipment, or route adjustments – include them in the “Notes” field when booking.
💬 You can also contact us via email or chat for personalised advice.
📌 Don’t want to plan from scratch? Choose from our range of Popular Tours with carefully designed routes and itineraries.
You can customise each one – change the order of stops, adjust the length of visits, add services, or include your own stops.
