September 24, 2026, 8:39 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The Saxon village of Schmilka was among the contenders for the title of Germany’s most beautiful village at this year’s TRAVELBOOK Award on September 22, 2026. What makes this village so special and why it is a worthwhile trend travel destination for 2027–all the info here at TRAVELBOOK.
Schmilka at the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Its location alone makes the 73-inhabitant village of Schmilka a travel destination–the village is situated on the west side of the Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Parks, not only on the German-Czech border but also in close proximity to the impressive rock formations of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Accordingly, Schmilka is an ideal starting point for exploring the two impressive national parks.
Schmilka itself is a former boatmen’s village and a district of the small Saxon town of Bad Schandau in the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district. Located at the foot of the Mühlberg and directly on the Elbe, Schmilka is a special excursion destination that has already been awarded the title of “most beautiful village in Saxony” in the past. But why?
What Makes Schmilka So Special
The quaint village of Schmilka is not large. Only 120 visitors can stay here at once–and yet this number even exceeds that of the villagers. They live in small, picturesque half-timbered houses that cling to the wooded hillside and sometimes offer a beautiful view over the Elbe and the opposite mountain landscapes.
Besides being a tranquil place to live, Schmilka is primarily a sustainable tourist destination, a “true refuge for those seeking relaxation, connoisseurs, and active vacationers,” as the Schmilka Tourism Office explains. The village itself is an “Albergo Diffuso,” a “scattered hotel,” with hotels, vacation apartments, hiking accommodations, and other tourist facilities spread throughout the village and directly on the river.
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What You Can Experience in Schmilka
Those who visit the charming Schmilka often combine it with explorations of the impressive national parks nearby. According to the tourism office, the region between the Elbe and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains boasts more than 1,200 kilometers of developed hiking trails. Popular is the 115-kilometer-long Malerweg, a panoramic route that also passes through Schmilka. In addition to extensive hikes, the region offers numerous opportunities for long bike tours and, of course, climbing in Saxon Switzerland. Boat trips on the Elbe are also part of the active program for vacationers.
Moreover, there are various offerings directly in the village, referred to here as rituals. These include guided hikes, yoga sessions, and concerts. You can also come to Schmilka for a wellness vacation: There are massage offerings and a bathhouse with a panoramic sauna.
All information about the other contenders for the title of Germany’s most beautiful village can be found at TRAVELBOOK.
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
Again this year, we say it: All nominated regions, countries, and the like for the TRAVELBOOK Awards are already winners. Even if they didn’t make it to the overall victory. This also applies to the village of Schmilka in Saxony. Because: Every insider travel destination has already made it to the shortlist in advance, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. For the first time this year, not only TRAVELBOOK readers but also BILD readers voted. In total, more than 150,000 votes were cast to determine the trend travel destinations for 2027.