Saxon Switzerland (German: Sächsische Schweiz) is an area in Saxony, Germany, so named after its picturesque upland scenery.
About 30 km (18 mi) upward the Elbe River from Dresden this is a mountain area made of sandstone. Bizarre stone formations and spectacular views are only a few characteristics of this region that is ideal for hiking, but also for a relaxed day out. For those who like nature, it is surely the most beautiful landscape in Saxony. It can get crowded along the river at summer weekends, if you don't like this, try the colder days. In late autumn or even winter you will nearly be alone outside the villages. There are also many rock castles and caves within the region, most worth a visit. Further up stream along the Elbe/Labe one enters the Czech Republic. However, the rock formations and the natural splendor continue and this region is known historically as the Bohemian Switzerland or "Böhmische Schweiz" in German.
The mountain range was formed after the sea retreated and left (Cretaceous era, roughly contemporary with T-Rex) sandstone as the remains. It was once a wild area, known for robbers and hard to conquer strongholds. Many of those still remain and can be visited. The most impressive is certainly the fortress of Königstein that was used for centuries as jail for high-ranking prisoners.
Like in most other parts of Germany, English is generally well understood by people, in this area especially by people under 50. Some know Russian and some also Czech. As this region is close to the border some signs will be in Czech and/or Polish.
Saxon Switzerland is best accessible from Dresden by suburban train (S-Bahn).
Probably the most comfortable way to get in, even faster than car due to a direct line along the river Elbe. Eurocity trains from Prague (1:45 hours) and Berlin (2½ hours) call in Bad Schandau every two hours. Otherwise you may take an intercity or high-speed train to Dresden and connect to the half-hourly running suburban train line S1, direction Bad Schandau, that stops in several towns of Saxon Switzerland (incl. Pirna, Rathen, Königstein), taking between 20 and 45 minutes from Dresden main station. Every other S1 (i.e. hourly) continues until Schöna on the Czech border (55 minutes from Dresden).
It may be a little tricky to find the roads out of the city Dresden if you're not used to it. Follow the signs to Czech Republic (Dečin) or Bad Schandau. Be aware of traffic jams at hot summer weekends. A good bench mark is the Elbe River. Simply follow it to the east (i.e. upstream).
If you have some time, try this. Old beautiful steam ships (there are modern diesel too, so take care when you buy tickets) bring you up the river through the beautiful Elbtal. Relaxing trip. You will have a good look to the engines! Before 1990 they were fired with coal, now oil is used, but it's still a steam engine.
There is a good bicycle way along the Elbe River, take the right river (northern) side if you go up.
Best option is a car, although there is public transport (question is not if you get there, but when).
To get a good overview over all destinations, visit the site of the regional management (available in German, English and Czech).
There are a number of inns along the hiking trails and small restaurants in every town.
It is a very safe region and there should not be any problems (you still have to lock your car). If you've read in a newspaper about the election results of extreme right wing parties in this area, yes, they are true, but in touristic areas they won't do anything to you. If you are visibly or audibly "foreign", it might be wise to exercise caution at night or when alone as violent incidents with Neo-Nazis are rare but do happen and have happened here as well.
Related Wikipedia article: Sächsische Schweiz