Rathen is a village in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, in Saxony, Germany, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) southeast of Dresden.

[3] The state-recognised climatic spa of Rathen is not only the base for tours in the western part of Saxon Switzerland, but also for the world-famous Bastei rocks.

Other popular destinations in the local Amselgrund valley are the lake of Amselsee and the Rathen Open Air Stage.

Rathen is also a stop for the Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt ships, including historic paddle steamers, operating between Dresden and the Czech border.

There is no direct vehicular connection across the river between the two halves of the village, and the road journey between the two is some 23 kilometres (14 mi) in length.