Things To Do
Dresden Altstadt│Old Town
The center of it all! Don't miss the Zwinger Palace, the Residenzschloss (Royal Palace), the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), Brühl's Terrace, the Semper Opera House, walking along the Elbe River, and so much more.
Innere Neustadt
Innere Neustadt (Inner New Town) is an elegant area and neighborhood within Dresden by the Elbe River, with parks and beer gardens on the waterfront, plus a baroque quarter with art galleries, posh fashion boutiques and global eateries with courtyard tables.
Local Nightlife: Neustadt
Neustadt, and especially Äussere Neustadt (Outer New Town), is the premier nightlife hub where you can find a wide variety of bars, clubs, and live music venues.
Traditional German/Saxon Cuisine: Coselpalais
Elbe River Boat Tour
A boat tour on the Elbe River in Dresden offers a scenic way to experience the city's historic landmarks and natural beauty.
Free Walking Tour
A free (tip-based) walking tour was always one of the first things Mary Grace would do when she traveled to major cities across Europe. You pay your local tour guide whatever amount you wish, but the tour itself is free. The guide also provides special, lesser known recommendations on where to eat, what else to see, etc. Dresden offers a handful of free walking tours you can explore, as well as other major cities you end up visiting! Highly recommended.
Dresden with (or without) Kids
Recommendations include exploring the Altstadt, the Dresden Zoo, the Transparent Factory of Volkswagen & Dresden Transport Museum for little and big car enthusiasts, the German Hygiene Museum, exploring the Grand Garden of Dresden, and a boat tour on the Elbe River. Consider some day trips below as well :)
Day Trip: Saxon Switzerland National Park (Bastei)
Located about 40 minutes outside of Dresden via public transport or car, Saxon Switzerland is a refreshing nature break from city scenery and is great for hiking! The Bastei Bridge at Saxon Switzerland is a must-see and also serves as a good point of reference for travel and directions. This place is a breathtaking favorite of Mary Grace's and Marco's :)
Day Trip: Königstein Fortress
One of the largest hilltop fortresses in Europe and one of Saxony's most popular tourist attractions. Can also be combined with a visit to nearby Saxon Switzerland National Park.
Schloss Wackerbarth + Radebeul Vineyards & Wine Tours
The perfect place for wine and castle connoisseurs! Radebeul is a direct suburb of Dresden, about 30 minutes away by train. Schloss Wackerbarth is a major wine-growing estate in Radebeul and is Germany’s 2nd oldest facility producing sparkling wine. Wine and sparkling wine tours available. Can also be easily paired as a full day trip with Moritzburg & the Moritzburg Castle, as they are close to Radebeul (more info below).
Half Day or Longer Day Trip: Moritzburg Castle, Little Pheasant Castle & Surroundings
Located 30 minutes outside of Dresden, the Moritzburg Castle is a fairytale-style castle on a lake that was famously featured in the Czechoslovak-German movie "Three Wishes for Cinderella." Audio guides for castle tours are available in English. There is a walking path around the lake you can take after visiting to get stunning views of the castle. If you have time, you can also visit the Little Pheasant Castle, which is located in the same estate/area as the Moritzburg Castle. Tours of the Little Pheasant Castle are only available in German, but you can still get an info booklet about the castle in English. Book in advance!
Day Trip (or More): Prague
Prague is a major city you do NOT want to miss! It is located only 2 hours away from Dresden and is one of Mary Grace's and Marco's most favorite cities in Europe. Consider taking a free walking tour of Prague, as well as visiting the Old Town Square, the Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, seeing the famous Astronomical Clock, and enjoying local Czech cuisine and Czech beer!
Day Trip: Meissen, Germany
If you're looking to explore a charming yet smaller, less touristy German town, consider Meissen. Located a 35-minute direct train ride from Dresden, Meissen is world-famous for its production of porcelain. Here you can visit their 300+ year-old Porcelain Factory, explore the Old Town, get panoramic city views from the Albrechtsburg Castle, and see the Meissen Cathedral. More details in the link below.
Day Trip (or More): Berlin
Berlin is located about 2 hours away from Dresden by train. You CAN pull off Berlin in one day, but be aware that you'll need to start your journey really early and prioritize seeing the main sites. If you have more time, it's better to just incorporate Berlin into your overall trip and stay longer for a few days to avoid rushing through your time there :)
Day Trip: Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig is a medium-size, university city that is located an easy one-hour train ride away from Dresden, and offers a mix of rich musical history, beautiful architecture, and modern creative culture. This is where the famous musical composer Johann Sebastian Bach spent the last 27 years of his life in. Main attractions in Leipzig include the Bach Museum, St. Thomas Church, the massive Monument to the Battle of the Nations, and the trendy Plagwitz district.
