Jan
10
Dresden Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Germany
A trip to Dresden
The thriving capital of Saxony, Dresden boasts a perfect combination of magnificent architecture, fascinating history and jaw-dropping landscapes. The old town is busting with well-preserved monuments, while walking along the promenades that side the Elbe River offers you a great opportunity to wind down amid beautiful nature. However, there’s more to Dresden than slow-going, nature-clad lifestyle. The younger lot will be happy to know that the favorite pastimes of locals involve eating, dancing and drinking, typical fun-loving characteristics of the Germans.
Flights to Dresden
Dresden has its own airport, Dresden Airport, located within a short drive of the city centre. The airport serves both domestic and international flights, while a suburban rail service is provided to take you to the city centre. There are two main rail stations in Dresden which operate trains to Frankfurt and Berlin regularly. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Dresden try Ebookers.
Walking is popular in Dresden. The historic part of town is easy to navigate on foot, while cycling is the fastest way to get around if you plan to travel within a short distance. However, do prepare a good bike lock as you might come back only to find that your bike is nowhere to be seen.
Dresden
Sightseeing in Dresden
Walking along the Elbe isn’t only a great way to relax but an eye-opening experience allowing you to take in lovely Baroque street blocks and buildings. History buffs will also find Dresden fascinating. The city is home to an array of Baroque-styled architectural marvels including the Blockhaus, Taschenberg Palais and the Frauenkirche church, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Don’t give this tall tower a miss as you will be rewarded with breathtaking city views.
There are many magnificent museums scattered in the city, with the Albertinum Museum being the most remarkable, housing an impressive collection of art pieces and sculptures. If diamonds are your best friend, nip to the world’s biggest green diamond, the crown jewels and the court of Aurengze at the renowned Schloss und Grünes Gewölbe.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Think yummy sour roasts, thick potato soup and doner kebabs. Saxon food is truly sumptuous and Dresden serves it up in great quantities. The Germans are big on food so expect to feast on a big meal after a long day of sightseeing. The best combo for those on a tight budget is a kebab dish that comes with a drink. Italian food is also very popular in Dresden.
Nightlife venues in Dresden seem to cater to the younger bunch, with plenty of discos and big nightclubs with European mega-mix beats. Your best bet is to check out the Outer Neustadt along Alaunstrasse, which is usually swarmed with college kids and hearty tourists when the sun goes down. For more laid-back options, join a concert at the Frauenkirche or a spectacular show at the Opera House instead.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
If you aren’t into jaw-dropping nature, can’t be bothered to look at historic monuments or roaming the city gives your feet blisters, entering Dresden’s world of renowned shops may help you feel better. Several dazzling streets including Prager strasse, Altmarkt and Wilsdruffer strasse bustle with department stores that are sure to delight designer-label freaks.
Martin-Luther-Platz is a unique area not far from the city centre, with a few hip cafés, a theatre and several cultural gems, ideal for those looking for a relaxing time. The active lot can hike up to the Lichtenhain Waterfall in the Saxon Switzerland National Park and enjoy pretty sceneries.
Daytrips
Dresden may be a rapidly transforming city, but there are still plenty of green meadows and historic castles to explore in the surrounding Elbe Valley, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Just outside of Dresden, Radebeul’s famous Hoflössnitz vineyards and Mediterranean surroundings are reminiscent of Italy. The Karl May Museum is a unique Wild West and Native American museum in Europe while the DDR Museum is an interactive display of life in former East Germany.
The nearby city of Meissen is perhaps best known for its famous porcelain factory, originally established in 1710. Meissen’s other main tourist attraction is the Renaissance Albrechtsburg Castle, the earliest German castle built primarily as a residence instead of a fortress and featuring a magnificent spiral stone staircase.
Once a hunting lodge for Saxony’s royalty, beautiful Moritzburg Palace is still surrounded by a moat. Next to the palace is an equally historic horse carriage collection. The Moritzburg stud’s annual stallion parade is the town’s other popular tourist event.
Must-see attractions
The Grosser Garten (Great Gardens) and palace were originally established for nobility to flaunt their wealth. Today, this is not only Dresden’s biggest park, but also features a zoo, botanical gardens, and several stages for outdoor events.
Dresden’s Frauenkirche, one of the region’s most famous Protestant churches destroyed in February 1945, has recently been painstakingly reconstructed in an archaeological reconstruction with financial support by several countries, while the Semper Opera House is another recently restored Dresden landmark. The intricately reconstructed decor inside the opera house proudly reflects Dresden’s strong opera tradition which began during the Renaissance period.
Zwinger Palace, one of Europe’s most renowned baroque structures, is another historic Dresden landmark famous for its tranquil inner courtyard, arched walkways, and signature Crown Gate with golden dome. In addition, the Pillnitz Baroque home and grounds, once the summer home of Saxony’s kings, remain an ideal place for a quiet walk around the surrounding English-style garden and park.
One of Europe’s most beautiful and unique long distance cycling routes lies along the parks, meadows, and vineyards by the banks of the Elbe River, which extends upstream to Saxon Switzerland. Traditional German cuisine blends wonderfully with French pastries and Art Nouveau decor inside the Schillergarten café and restaurant by the Elbe’s suspension bridge.
Best time to go
Dresden typically enjoys warmer summers than the rest of Germany, while winters are usually colder than most German cities although temperatures rarely dip below freezing. The weather in the Klotzsche region, located 227m above sea level and home to the city’s weather station, is usually between 1-3°C cooler than the rest of the city. Most of Dresden’s outdoor events are held in summertime, when temperatures normally remain above 20°C well into the night. Spring and autumn are usually mild and pleasant.
Rainy day suggestions
The vehicles around the Transport Museum, the more than 300,000 currencies inside the Coin Cabinet, and the Münchow ophthalmology history collection and Schwarzkopf collection of personal grooming and beauty items donated to the German Hygiene Museum are just some of the unique exhibits displayed in Dresden’s more than 30 world-class museums. Visitors are encouraged to touch, not just look at, the exhibits within the cabinets and drawers of the Erich Kästner Museum, dedicated to the German author.
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