Dresden has made Lonely Planet’s list of the world’s Best Places to recharge in 2023, as the World War II bombed-out “Florence on the Elbe” has been transformed into a European cultural hub by its miraculous reconstruction, architectural treasures and artistic treasures. There’s also a vibrant bar district, a water bottle snowglobe lantern, a military history museum redesigned by architect Denis Libeskind, and wine estates and ancient palaces dotted along the Elbe River. If you spend some time here, you will soon understand why Dresden is so multifaceted and fascinating.
Striezelmarkt, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany and the world, has opened in Dresden. Today, follow the special writer of LP to travel around Dresden and feel the ancient and solemn history and culture and the strong romantic festival atmosphere
Seema Prakash
Started his career with a trip to Dresden
Currently, I have been a senior travel guide for more than 10 years
After more than ten years of experience, I know the beauty of Dresden like the back of my hand. It is my motto in life to show visitors Dresden in an interesting, informative and engaging way.
Why Dresden?
Few cities can match the breathtaking beauty of Dresden. The classic view from the north bank of the Elbe river, with its spires and domes of palaces, churches and stately buildings, makes it hard to believe that the city was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1945.
Take a relaxing walk through the historic Old Town, or wander through Dresden’s National Gallery of Art for aesthetic enjoyment. Explore baroque exoticism in the Palazzale Pilnitz, a replica of Versailles, or enjoy a stunning sunset on the wide-open Lingner Terrace.
How to visit Dresden in 4 days?
| 1 day old hiking trip
Roaming the old Town
Dresden’s main attractions are concentrated in the Old Town (Altstadt) on the south bank of the Elbe River, 1km from the central train station and via Prager Strasse, the main pedestrian shopping area. The Augustusbrucke (Augustusbrucke) spans the Elbe River, with one end of the bridge in the Old Town and the other connecting the New Town (Neustadt), which has its own main train station (Dresden-New Town) and the bar and party area in Aussere Neustadt (Outer New Town).
Have a leisurely breakfast before embarking on your Dresden adventure. Elbsalon in the New Town serves pancakes with fresh fruit, waffles, eggs and vegetables, and if you want to eat on the go, you can buy fluffy croissants at Emoi.
After breakfast, take a two-hour walking tour through the cobblestone streets and historic squares of the Old Town to learn how the “Florence on the Elbe” was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt with great pains.
After this unique “interactive history lesson”, head to the palace Anna im Schloss for lunch and don’t forget to try the Eierschecke, a unique Saxony cheesecake.
Begin at 2 p.m. with unparalleled art treasures at the State Art Collection in Dresden. In the Old Masters gallery, you’ll see Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and a room full of Rubens, Rembrandts and Vermeers.
If you don’t like museums, don’t worry. Take the tram and bus to the Panometer and experience the modern art of sound and light.
Stroll back to the Grand Park (Grosser Garten) after admiring the rich museum collection and modern art.
The main attraction is the modern Zoo Dresden in the southwestern corner of the park, and everyone loves the African pavilion and the Lion Garden.
In the northwest corner is the architecturally unique Glaserne Manufaktur (Transparent Factory), where you can see VW’s diverse range of NEVs and electric vehicles. Next to the glass factory is the Botanic garden, which is free to visit.
After visiting the Grand Park, stroll along the Elbe River to the 19th-century Loschwitz Bridge to see what locals call the “blue wonder.” Enjoy the breeze across the bridge and take a seat at the Schiller Garden below for some delicious snacks.
In the late afternoon, before leaving the Old town, check to see if there’s a market going on — as Christmas approaches, Dresden sheds its solemn mantle and transforms into a Christmas-infused city of hospitality. One of the most famous of these events is the Striezelmarkt Christmas Market, also known as the Christmas Cake Market. It originated in 1434 and is one of the oldest and most fascinating Christmas markets in Germany.
To date, the Christmas Market has attracted more than 250 mobile stalls. Every Christmas Eve, Stollen, the famous Dresden fruit cake, is sold here, and all kinds of exquisite handicrafts from Dresden are sold to customers.
At night, stroll through Neustadt, where there are more than 200 bars and restaurants per square mile. If there’s a ball game going on at the moment, head to Katy’s Garage, an open-air bar with a giant TV screen at the intersection of two of the city’s trendiest streets.
As the name suggests, the cavernous gathering place is a former tire shop, and the decor still matches the car theme, with drinks even named after auto parts. It’s a mix of beer gardens, restaurants, bars, cinemas and live music, all Dresdenesque.
2 day | peel, palace
Steamboat, Pilnitz Palace and Loschwitz hanging monorail
The next day, cruise the historic steamboat east along the Elbe River towards Pilnitz, past wine-dotted hillsides and UNESco-recognized lakes and mountains. The steamboat set off from Terrassenufer in Dresden. The ship returns upriver to Dresden at 14:45, but it takes more than three hours, so be sure to book the earliest of the three daily flights for a 90-minute ride.
Take a boat ride from Dresden to the Pilnitz Palace, which sits between vineyards and the Elbe river, 14 kilometers from the center of Dresden on the upper Elbe River.
The whole palace is pleasing to the eye, very baroque exotic, embedded in the Chinese style of pendant flower carving, unique. It was once the summer home of the rulers of Saxony, who spent the long summers of Dresden.
Take the next boat back to town, or take bus 63 through the small villages and charming old-fashioned estates between Pilnitz and Dresden. Loschwitz is an old fishing village that has become an affluent residential area, where you can take the world’s oldest suspended monorail to the top of the hill and see the city from a different perspective.
Walk through the Weisser Hirsch neighborhood, then take tram No. 11 at Plateleite to Elbschlosser, through the gardens to Lingner Terrace, where you can enjoy dinner overlooking the river, The stunning sunset will be the most impressive feature of this picture of lakes and mountains.
In the evening, head back to the old or new Town and pick your choice among the many bars and restaurants.
The 3rd | meisen
The cradle of Saxony and the birthplace of hard porcelain in Europe
Today, we head to the “cradle of Saxony” : the medieval city of Meissen.
On the way to Meissen, make a stop at Schloss Moritzburg. Militzburg Palace is about 14 kilometers north of Dresden. Take the No. 326 and 457 buses at Dresden Newtown Railway Station (€4.20, 30 minutes).
Militzburg Palace is incredibly romantic, yellow and white surrounded by a vast moat of lakes and parks that are both wild and artistically constructed. The baroque building was once a popular hunting lodge for Saxony’s rulers and the place where King August held lavish parties after hunts.
If bypassing Militzburg, take the train S-Bahn to Meissen Triebischtal. Be sure to grab a seat on the right side of the train, where you’ll get a clear view of Albrechtsburg and the Gothic spires of Dom as the train crosses the Elbe River.
Meissen, 25 kilometers up the Elbe River from Dresden, was the birthplace of European porcelain manufacturing. The Albrecht Castle Museum, on the other side of Meisen, was the first German castle built for residential purposes. The exhibition on the second floor Chronicles the development of porcelain craft in Europe. You can “create” your own porcelain through the computer.
Stepping off the train into Meissen, we come to the heart of today’s tour, the Meissen Manufaktur porcelain factory. To this day, the European hard porcelain that Dresden invented is made by hand. Travel around the workshop with an audio interpreter and you can see how each piece of porcelain is made. Then, wander the museum and witness the amazing craftsmanship of the one-of-a-kind Meisen porcelain.
A small city bus ride will take you through town to Castle Hill. Enjoy lunch on the terrace of the (550-year-old) Domkeller or Burgkeller. Among them, Domkeller is famous in Meissen, outside the church, where it has been selling food and drink since 1470.
The specials are a variety of Saxony classics, including beef stew with bread bowls and beer and skewers for the table. The roof terrace has stunning views – go early at lunchtime to get a seat.
In the evening, have dinner at the romantic Vincenz Richter restaurant. This 16th-century eatery is decorated with historic guns and armor, but it’s also romantic — the service is homey, with upscale traditional Saxony cuisine and freshly brewed white wine. The rooftop terrace also offers views of Markt, the market square.
©Radler59, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The fourth day | castle ruins
Saxony Little Switzerland
Today, the mountains call. Take S-Bahn1 to Bahnhof Pirna, then transfer to Bastei’s bus to so-called “Saxon Switzerland”. From here, it’s only a few minutes to the cliffs and several lookout points in the Elbe Valley; Several hiking trails also start or end here. After taking in the view, descend the stone steps to Bastei Bridge, and remember to take in the scenery as you cross the sandstone bridge, which is connected by man-made stones.
Further down is the entrance to the ruins of Neurathen Castle. It’s a series of caves carved in the Middle Ages and today connected by crumbling wooden Bridges.
After browsing, return to the summit for lunch at Panorama Restaurant, which offers an almost 360 degree view.
Take the S-1 and shuttle bus along the Elbe River to Konigstein Fortress, built in the 13th century and one of Europe’s largest hilltop fortifications.
Take a walk along the walls of “Kings Rock” to take in the ever-changing views, then use the voice interpreter to learn about the fort’s history and its famous prisoners.
After a satisfying day of exploring, it’s time to head back to Dresden for a 40-minute train ride along the Elbe River through scenic valleys. Back in town, walk to the Carola Bridge for a spectacular night view of Dresden.
The Christmas market in Dresden
This year is the 588th edition of Dresden’s Striezelmarkt Christmas Market, which began in 1434. One of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany and the world, the Striezelmarkt also boasts several “world firsts”, including perhaps the world’s largest candle arch and the most fantastical Ferris wheel
This year’s fair opened with a grand opening on November 23 and runs until Christmas Eve on December 24. There are more than 200 stalls selling colorful Christmas food and hand gifts, while singing and dancing performances are put on every day.