As the capital city of Germany’s Saxony State, Dresden was always the royal residence for the Kings of Saxony, who lavished the city with art, culture, and Baroque architecture. This has earned the city the nickname of the Jewel Box. While much of the city was destroyed in World War II, the historic city center has been lovingly restored to its original splendor.

While many tourists flock to Paris, Rome, and even Munich in the summer months, Saxony was pleasantly uncrowded. Most of the tourists I came across were local German tourists getting away for the weekend. Visiting Saxony without crazy summer crowds was definitely one of the highlights of my summer travels.

Big Sightseeing Tour (Hop On Hop Off)

Another great way to orient yourself to the city is to take a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Dresden. There are 22 stops where you can “hop off” and explore Dresden. While I am all about traveling like a local, these bus tours really are a helpful way to get to know the layout of the city, not to mention an easy way to reach attractions that are not within walking distance of the town center. The main starting point is at Zwinger / Postplatz, but you can board at any of the 22 stops. The tour is offered in nearly 20 different languages as well.

As you make your way around Dresden, there are some excellent stops to check out. I recommend hopping off at these stops:

#10 Gläserne Manufaktur VW. This Volkswagen factory opened in 2002. It now produces Volkswagen’s electric cars, and the production floor is open to visitors, although no photos are allowed. There is also a museum and cafe on-site.
#11 Großer Garten or Greater Garden is another Dresden attraction worth visiting. Known as the Green Heart of Dresden, this is the largest park in the city. The Baroque-style park includes the Dresden Zoo and the Dresden Botanical Garden.
#14 Blaues Wunder / Grundstraße or the Blue Wonder Bridge is the oldest suspension railway in the world. The bridge crosses the Elbe River, connecting the districts of Blasewitz and Loschwitz.
#16 Schloss Albrechtsberg is another Saxon Palace, set on the hill above the Dresden district of Loschwitz; enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding valley.

Your base ticket includes an Old Town Walking Tour and access to many other Dresden attractions can be bundled together in one ticket price. Many of the destinations listed here can be reached on the Hop On Hop Off bus.

Frauenkirche Dresden

If you look at the Dresden skyline, the one building that sticks out above all others is Frauenkirche Dresden, or Church of Our Ladies. It was originally built in the 18th century and like much of Dresden, was destroyed during WWII. While the rubble was left for 50 years as a reminder, a massive rebuilding campaign was begun in the 1990s. Aside from the dome, the church was rebuilt using all original materials and plans, and funded by private donations from around the world. You can learn more about the history and reconstruction at the Stadtmuseum in Dresden.

Today, the bell-shaped dome of the church is a major destination for visitors to Dresden. You won’t find a better aerial view of Dresden, so make this one of your first stops when you arrive. It will help you get a sense of the layout of the town, and help you plan your next moves. Just be ready for the climb up 281 stairs! The view is worth it, I promise!

Dresden Zwinger

Another iconic Dresden building is the Zwinger, a stunning display of Baroque architecture. What began as an orangery for August the Strong in the early 18th century is now one of the most popular attractions in Dresden. Within the palatial building, there are several museums including a Porcelain Collection, Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments, and the Old Masters Picture Gallery.

Dresden Castle

The Dresden Royal Palace is one of the oldest buildings in the city and was the official residence for the Saxon royals for nearly 400 years. While the majority of the castle was destroyed in the War, the Gruenes Gewoelbe, or the historic green vault, was spared. The rebuilding of the remainder of the palace began in 1986 and continued for many years. The majority of rooms were recreated as museum rooms, many of which are open to the public.

Loschwitz

Occupying a coveted section of Dresden along the Elbe River, Loschwitz is a rural town that truly has a German village feel. Take the Blue Wonder Bridge to reach Loschwitz, where you’ll find half-timbered buildings housing gift shops, antique stores, and art galleries. You can easily spend at least a half day exploring the shops, beer gardens, and historic monuments. Wippler Bakery is a great stop for coffee.

Schwebebahn Dresden

Loschwitz is also where you’ll find the Schwebebahn or the Dresden Suspension Railway. The historic funicular has connected Loschwitz and Oberloschwitz since 1901. At just 6 Euros for a round-trip ticket, this is one of the best things to see in Dresden. Just steps from the Blue Bridge, you can board the funicular for a 274-meter ride up the hill to a lookout point on the upper station. You’ll have amazing views of the river and surrounding areas!

Elbe River Mini Cruise

While overnight river cruises are extremely popular in Germany, you can also take a “mini cruise” from Dresden. I had the opportunity to take a cruise on a passenger steamer with the Saxon Steamship Company. They operate one of the oldest and largest paddle steamer fleets in the world. This is also a great way to explore the Saxon Wine Route.

Schloss Pillnitz

I disembarked my mini cruise at Schloss Pillnitz, or Pillnitz Castle. This was once the summer palace of Saxon royalty. The palace and the surrounding gardens are an amazing place to spend an afternoon. I noticed a lot of locals here, but not many international tourists. From here, you can take another boat trip back to Dresden. You can also rent a bicycle in Dresden and ride along the river path to reach Schloss Pillnitz.

Dresden Christmas Markets

If you happen to visit Dresden during the holiday season, you will ten different Christmas markets to choose from, including Dresdner Striezelmarkt. Allegedly the oldest Christmas market in the world, until 2019, it was the longest-running without interruption.

To maintain Saxon heritage, items sold at the market must be of Saxon origin, or from very close by. Wooden crafts come from the Ore Mountains, and the pottery is made in Eastern Saxony.

Perhaps the best reason to visit Dresden in the winter is the chance to try the original Dresden Stollen. Stollen is like a better version of a fruitcake and it was invented here in Dresden. There are strict requirements to be labeled an original Dresden Stollen. It must be made with butter and not grease, and there is a special seal to show it’s been produced in Saxony. Local bakeries undergo an annual inspection to ensure they are still worthy of the official seal. Dr. Quendt and Quendteri are two of the best brands of Stollen.

Pfunds Molkerei

Widely renowned as the most beautiful dairy shop in the world, this Dresden destination is even on the Guinness World Records list! Founded in 1880 by the Pfund brothers, this gorgeous shop miraculously survived the WWII bombings. The walls, ceilings, counters, and even the floors are covered in hand-painted ceramic tiles that feature dancing angels and woodland creatures. You can purchase milk, cheese, and chocolate in the shop, or have lunch upstairs at their restaurant. Photos are not usually allowed, so be sure to soak the scenery into your memory before you leave!

Day Trip to Meissen

Just 30 minutes outside of Dresden is the town of Meissen, home of Meissen porcelain, the Albrechtsburg castle, the Gothic Meissen Cathedral, and the Meissen Frauenkirche. Meissen is world-renowned for porcelain and is the largest producer of porcelain outside of China. Buying porcelain in Meissen is like purchasing blown glass from Borneo.

The porcelain starts with a white clay called kaolin. The local mine is so small that only two people can work there at one time. The resulting products are exquisitely detailed. While they are not cheap, a porcelain piece from Meissen is an excellent souvenir from your Dresden trip.

Dresden-Neustadt

Dresden’s Neustadt, or New Town, is a fun part of the city to explore. This once Bohemian area has been gentrified and is now known for nightlife, as several older industrial buildings have been converted to nightclubs. During the day, you should check out the Kunsthofpassage Singing Water Wall, also called the Courtyard of Elements. The drainage pipes and gutter system have been constructed to play music when it rains. If you have a rainy day in Dresden, be sure to swing by!

Saxony Wine Route

One of the highlights of my trip to Dresden was a stroll along the Saxon Wine Trail. The Wine Route follows the Elbe River and has several charming vineyards along the way. While the entire trail extends for nearly 60 kilometers, there are several within walking distance of each other, so you can walk from one to the next.

I particularly enjoyed Schloss Wackerbarth, which is the smallest and most northern vineyard and one of the top 20 winery locations in the world. Perhaps it was because in all of my time visiting vineyards around the world, this was the first time I got to actually see grapes on the vine. The atmosphere here is fantastic, with music, views and good wine! The gorgeous palace on the grounds also offers fantastic photo opportunities.

Hoflossnitz was my favorite vineyard, with a cozy, authentic feel at this 600-year-old estate. Enjoy a romantic stroll through the wine garden under the hillside covered in grape vines. Villa Sorgenfrei also has a very romantic vibe; with these river valley views and lush hillsides, it’s hard to pick just one favorite!

Where to Eat & Drink in Dresden

I had some pretty great, and unique meals during my time in Dresden. Here are a few highlights that I recommend you check out when you visit Dresden!

Restaurant Sophienkeller offers a unique experience that will whisk you back to the Baroque Ages. Located across from the Zwinger, this underground cellar once stored wine for the palace. Specialties include suckling pig, freshly baked bread, and Saxon beer.
Katy’s Garage is a great spot to enjoy a refreshing cocktail during your tour of Dresden. The strawberry punch there is a must-try! By day, Katy’s is a mellow spot with a relaxing beer garden, converting to a nightclub after dark.
Frank’s Bar Dresden is another spot for quirky cocktails. I had the Black Forest Cake Cocktail and it tasted just like the famous Black Forest Cake. Yum!

Getting to Dresden

While Dresden is far removed enough from major cities to keep the crowds at bay, it’s not difficult to get to Dresden. Dresden has an airport, with flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, London, and other major European cities. If you are visiting Dresden as part of a larger Central European tour, you can also take a train directly from Berlin or Prague, which is just over two hours away.

Ultimate Guide to Dresden Germany