Dresden Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Dresden showing a square or plaza
This lovingly redeveloped German city charms with its history, culture and streetscape. Discover its architecture, thriving festival scene and picturesque river.

In 2006, Dresden celebrated its 800th year as a city. Before being devastated by World War II bombs, it was a hub of art, classical music and glorious architecture. Gradually, the city has regenerated and today it’s home to more than 40 museums, 13,000 cultural monuments, and a host of concerts and events throughout the year.

Dresden’s great buildings continue to rise from the ashes. The lavish Katholische Hofkirche church was reconstructed in the mid 1980s. So too was the early Renaissance and Baroque-style Semperoper opera house. In 2005, rebuilding of the magnificently domed Dresden Frauenkirche was completed. Other photogenic highlights include Zwinger Palace and the city’s Baroque Quarter.

Dresden is one of Europe’s most important museum cities. Delve into the city’s past at the Dresden City Museum. Marvel at the invaluable collection of European treasures in the Green Vault. Learn more about who you are at the German Hygiene Museum, which has exhibitions about the human body. Gaze at the paintings, spanning from the Romantic period to now, which hang in the Albertinum.

Dresden knows how to throw a party. May’s Dixieland Festival is one of the biggest jazz gatherings in Europe. In the summer, the Filmnächte season screens cinema on the banks of the Elbe. Dresden’s Neustadt area comes alive in June with the Bunte Republik Neustadt street festival. Winter brings the Striezelmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets.

Dresden nightlife is perennially buzzing, especially in Neustadt. For local crafts, souvenirs and antiques, hit the Altmarkt, Hauptstraße, Heinrichstraße or  Königstraße.

For a break away from the city centre, head for Dresdner Heide. This municipal nature reserve borders the northeast fringe of the city. It consists of 15,155 acres (6,133 hectares) of forestland  plenty of space to hike or cycle.

Peak season in Dresden is between June and August the average high is about 72 F (22 C). Because there’s so much to do indoors, a visit in the off-season still guarantees plenty to do.  

Dresden Airport is located about 6 miles (10 kilometres) from the city centre. Probably the fastest, and certainly cheapest, way to make the journey is by the S-Bahn from the station. Trains depart regularly, and take about 20 minutes to reach Dresden’s central station. 

Where to stay in Dresden

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Altstadt Dresden

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Green Vault to Dresden Cathedral – discover Altstadt Dresden, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Altstadt Dresden
Neustadt featuring street scenes

Neustadt

Museums, shopping and historical sites highlight some notable features of Neustadt. Make a stop by Saxon State Chamber or Alter Schlachthof while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Waldschloesschen Station or Nordstrasse Station to get around town.

Neustadt
Dresden which includes a small town or village

Blasewitz

4/5(1 area review)

Check out the historical sites while you're in Blasewitz. Hop on the metro at Gottleubaer Strasse Station and Altenberger Strasse Station to see top sights like Grosser Garten and Dresden Elbe Valley.

Blasewitz
Saxony which includes farmland

Innere Altstadt

If you're spending time in Innere Altstadt, check out sights like Altmarkt or Old Market Square and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Altmarkt Station or Postplatz Station.

Innere Altstadt
New Market Square featuring a square or plaza

Innere Vorstadt

5/5(4 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Innere Vorstadt. Spend some time visiting top spots like Movie Nights at the Elbe, and catch the metro at Carolaplatz Station or Neustaedter Markt Station to see more of the area.

Innere Vorstadt
Blue Wonder Bridge featuring a bridge

Loschwitz

You might enjoy the historical sites while in Loschwitz. Dresden Suspension Railway is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Mordgrundbruecke Station or Plattleite Station to see more of the city.

Loschwitz
ibis Dresden Zentrum
ibis Dresden Zentrum
3 out of 5
Prager Strasse 5, Dresden, SN
The price is Rp944.567 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
Rp944.567
Rp1.071.327 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Nov - 21 Nov
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Dresden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
Nice
"Staf are friendly Mattress veryyyyy hard Room needs a bit renovation to look more clean even near everything (shopping, dining, train station, public trasportations and all city atractions) are maximum 10 minuts walk away from hotel Good for its price"

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2024

ibis Dresden Zentrum
Dormero Hotel Dresden Airport
Dormero Hotel Dresden Airport
Karl Marx Strasse, 25, Dresden, Saxony
The price is Rp800.920 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
Rp800.920
Rp908.459 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Nov - 9 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Dresden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
7.4/10 Good! (182 reviews)
"I like the free mini bar"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2024

Dormero Hotel Dresden Airport
Dorint Hotel Dresden
Dorint Hotel Dresden
4 out of 5
Grunaer Str. 14, Dresden, SN
The price is Rp1.387.716 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
Rp1.387.716
Rp1.573.998 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Dresden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Comfortable pleasant room. Clean. Attentive staff apart from the Barman who needs to smile... No coffee/tea/kettle in room. Excellent range of foods for breakfast. Great Gym attached to hotel for free. Good location. 15 minutes walk from Zentrum. 5 minutes walk from Ralf Harbig Stadion to see Dynamo ..."

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

Dorint Hotel Dresden
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Felix Suiten am Zwinger
Felix Suiten am Zwinger
Kleine Brüdergasse 5, Dresden
Stay at this aparthotel in Dresden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (245 reviews)
"Location is terrific, room was awesome. Long hallways are depressing and tired looking. Nobody ever picks up the phone line and everything is so it yourself. Only 2 towels for 2 ppl in the room. Cannot find housekeeping. Morning attendant was strange and rude. We asked for towels, never got ..."

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2024

Felix Suiten am Zwinger
Aparthotel Münzgasse
Aparthotel Münzgasse
Muenzgasse 10, Dresden, SN
Stay at this aparthotel in Dresden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Church of Our Lady and Semper Opera ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,029 reviews)
"I don't like being forced to make comments in writing, I would like to just mark the questions they ask without having to spend time writing."

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

Aparthotel Münzgasse
limehome Dresden Wallstraße
limehome Dresden Wallstraße
Wallstr. 10, Dresden, SN
Stay at this apartment in Dresden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, satellite TV channels and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (44 reviews)
"Awesome we loved it."

Reviewed on 18 Sep 2024

limehome Dresden Wallstraße
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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