From late April to October, the historic paddle-steamers of the Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt run scheduled services along the Elbe between Dresden and Bad Schandau, stopping at Pirna, Wehlen, Rathen (for the Bastei), and Königstein along the way. The fleet consists of nine vessels, several dating from the 1880s and 1890s, all driven by original or restored steam paddle-wheel mechanisms.
Pirna's landing stage is on the Elbe bank below the old town. Upstream from Pirna the river enters the sandstone gorges of Saxon Switzerland; downstream it opens into the wider Dresden valley. A return trip on the steamer — up to Rathen or Königstein and back — takes most of the day, but the river scenery justifies every minute. Tickets are sold at the landing stage and online at saechsische-dampfschifffahrt.de. The ships carry a bar serving beer and coffee; food is limited. On summer weekends book ahead, especially for the most popular upstream runs.