The capital city of the Free State of Saxony is a gem of a place. Travelling to Dresden is like going back in time due to its Baroque palaces, lavish art and jewellery collections, military museum and gorgeously landscaped lawns. It was the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony. The bombing of Dresden towards the end of the Second World War destroyed the entire city centre but it thrives once again after painstaking restorations to the inner city complex.
Today, Dresden is a cultural, educational and political centre of Germany. Here’s your five-day guide to this glittering place.
Kick off your tour with a visit to Zwinger, the most famous architectural monument in the city. The Baroque building was built in 1709 as an orangery, garden and festival area. Its richly decorated pavilions and galleries lined with balustrades, figures and vases testify to its bygone splendour during the reign of Augustus the Strong. There are plenty of guided tours, classical music concerts and exhibitions for visitors to check out at any given time.
Do not miss the Old Masters Gallery of 750 paintings from the 15th to the 18th centuries, including works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Correggio and Vermeer.
After lunch at any of the nearby cafés or restaurants like the Zum Schießhaus tavern and the vegan- and gluten-friendly brennNessel, check out Dresden Castle. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and for almost 400 years it was the residence of the kings of Saxony. Different architectural styles were employed in the making of the building from Baroque to Neo-Renaissance. It is home to multiple collections of art, furniture and other treasures. The Numismatic Cabinet, the Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, and the Dresden Armory are some of its must-visit exhibitions. Remember to check out the Fürstenzug mural.
We also recommend visiting the Green Vault at the site. It is renowned for having the largest treasure collection in all of Europe and has been around for almost 300 years. Its fairy tale-like interiors were designed by the same architect who created the Zwinger, Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. The Historic Green Vault on the ground floor has approximately 3,000 pieces of jewellery while the first floor New Green Vault has 1,100 selected exhibits behind glass. Tickets need to be purchased according to time slots if you want to see the Historic Green Vault.
Your last stop of the day should be the Semperoper (opera house). It is situated in one of Germany’s most beautiful public squares, the Theaterplatz of Dresden. Catch a classical music concert, an opera performance or a ballet show while you’re here. The experience will be like none other.
This morning will begin with a picturesque visit to the Grand Garden. This is a Baroque-style park in central Dresden with a palace to boot. Its pathways and avenues are arranged symmetrically. Visitors should relax in its many ponds and lovely gardens. Hop on to its narrow-gauge railway which is open during the summer months. The grounds also play host to festive balls and concerts. You can lie in the grass and rollerblade if you want.
Next, visit the Dresden Zoo in the same vicinity. It is Germany’s fourth oldest zoo and houses more than 3000 animals over 400 species.
If the zoo is not to your liking then visit the Hygiene Museum in the same area. The medical museum is a popular venue for events and exhibitions, and is among the most visited museums in Dresden. Its collection consists of everyday objects that were used for personal hygiene and physical treatment, illustrating body-related practices that were typical of their time. The complete inventory, including special collections and exhibits on permanent loan, is around 90,000 objects. The digital collection catalogue currently boasts 60,000 objects, of which the vast majority can be consulted online.
Your next stop is the Brühl's Terrace and the Dresden Fortress. It has lovely views of Dresden’s impressive architecture as you stroll along a tree-lined promenade. Nicknamed "The Balcony of Europe," the terrace stretches high above the bank of the river Elbe and is perfect for sunny afternoon strolls.
We recommend the Festung Xperience, a multimedia tour with 360-degree projections and 3D audio technology which will take you through the history of the Dresden Fortress. The tour takes place under the fortress and is worth every penny.
Cross the Elbe and seat yourself for a movie screening at the Filmnächte am Elbufer. It is the country’s biggest open-air cinema festival and takes place in the summer. Check its website for what’s on and spend a pleasant evening with the magic of cinema.
This morning we will visit a Lutheran church called the Frauenkirche. It was destroyed during the Dresden bombings at the end of the Second World War and was reconstructed between 1994 and 2005. It is an exquisite example of Baroque architecture. The Frauenkirche offers guided tours to the dome as well as the opportunity to attend an organ concert in its premises.
The Dresden Transport Museum is dedicated to all forms of transport including railway, shipping, road and aviation. The museum collects and preserves objects and documents about the history of transportation methods, and tells their stories via exhibits, lectures and publications. Its model railway exhibit is particularly charming and its aviation section features the 152, the first jet airliner to be built in Germany in the 1950s.
Your evening should be spent sampling German cuisine. The Gaststätte Oma, Watzke Wurstküche and Feldschlößchen-Stammhaus are our suggestions for sampling dishes like sauerbraten, maultaschen, döner kebab, schnitzel and rouladen.
Today should begin with a tour of the Dresden Cathedral. Completed in 1751, the building was damaged during bombing raids in the Second World War. King Augustus the Strong is buried here along with the last King of Saxony. Entry is free during the day. Visitors will be able to see the last work of the renowned organ builder Gottfried Silbermann, and a Rococo pulpit.
Your next stop is the Military Museum. It is located in a former military arsenal and focuses on the human aspects of war, while also showcasing the evolution of the German military. The building itself extends over 14,000 square metres and has an inside and outside exhibition area of about 20,000 square metres, making it the country's largest museum. All manner of guns, rockets, firearms, uniforms and an extensive photo archive showing international military history can be found here.
Go to Elbepark for a spot of shopping on your penultimate day in Dresden. It has more than 170 stores including the likes of Harley Davidson, H&M, Kaufland and IKEA. There is also a huge space for leisure activities such as a children’s playground with climbing frames, a bowling centre, a cinema, a casino and more.
Your final morning should begin with a visit to the Kunsthofpassage. This is a unique and beautiful art district in Dresden which has courtyards filled with outdoor cafés, artists' studios and independent boutiques. The Singing Drain Pipes is a particular favourite as it bellows sounds of musical instruments when rain falls in its passageways.
Next, visit the iconic Goldener Reiter (Golden Rider), a gilded equestrian statue of Augustus the Strong. This is one of Dresden’s best known landmarks and stands at the Hauptstrasse, the main pedestrian boulevard in the Neustadt district.
There’s nothing better than spending your last afternoon in Dresden catching up on culture. After lunch, visit the Kulturpalast, also known as the Palace of Culture. It has undergone years of reconstruction and is home to the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. There’s also a library and cabaret theatre. It's currently holding a range of language sessions, musical concerts, choral performances and plays, to name a few.
Next, head to the Neustädter Markthalle. This revamped shopping complex has splendid wrought-iron railings, ornamented iron staircases and lamps. The market hall first opened in 1899 and then again in 2000 after extensive renovation. Visitors love its cosy ambience. Its Saturday flea market is a particular draw for visitors.
Your final stop should be the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The football stadium has a capacity for more than 32,000 spectators. We recommend catching a game here and savouring the electrifying atmosphere of a Dynamo Dresden match.
The Gewandhaus Dresden and the Relais and Château Bülow Palais offer luxurious stays. The Mezcalero Guesthouse and the Aparthotel Am Schloss are budget-friendly stays. Backpackers should consider the a&o Hostel Dresden Hauptbahnhof and the Lollis Homestay Hostel.
Dresden is 192km (two hours and 30 minutes) away by car from Berlin. There are also direct trains between the two cities. Dresden Airport (DRS) is the main airline hub of the city.
