Your Essential Travel Guide To Dresden
Discover Things To Do In Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the German state of Saxony. Located on the Elbe River, it’s a centre of culture and industry, famous for its Brühl Terrace, promenade and historic Old Town. Spend your time admiring the spectacular Baroque architecture, exploring modern districts and tasting delicious local cuisine.
Strolling around the city gives you an insight into its history. Dresden is in the former German Democratic Republic, and architecture from this period is still visible. It’s also one of Europe’s greenest cities, with green spaces and forests making up 63% of Dresden.
This destination is perfect for city lovers, with historic sights, picturesque river views and a blend of old and new. Our travel guide explores the top places to visit in Dresden, the best restaurants and where to stay.
Find a host of exciting activities in Dresden on GetYourGuide.
History of the city
The earliest traces of settlement in today's Dresden date back to 7,500 BC. Throughout the centuries, Dresden belonged to Saxony and the Holy Roman Empire.
The city is synonymous with regeneration. For a long time, it was considered Germany’s most beautiful city and known as ‘Florence of the North’ thanks to its Baroque-style architecture.
Unfortunately, a significant part of Dresden was destroyed during World War II. After the war, the rebuilt Frauenkirche (The Church of Our Lady) became an international symbol of reconciliation. Most of the city has returned to its pre-war splendour. Since the reunification of Germany in 1990, Dresden has become a centre of culture, education, politics and economics.
DFDS PICK: History and Heritage of Dresden – Private Walking Tour
How to get to Dresden
Dresden is located in southeast Germany, near the Polish border. Getting there is easy with DFDS.
Travelling from the UK? Our Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk and Newhaven to Dieppe crossings give you great access to France. You can easily reach Dresden by car or train from our French ports. Bring your vehicle onboard for convenient onward travel.
Alternatively, travel on our Newcastle to Amsterdam crossing. From Amsterdam, it’s around an 8-hour drive to Dresden. It’s easy to get to Dresden by car as the city is located along the E40 highway.
Getting around Dresden
When travelling around Dresden, you have a few options. The city centre is relatively compact, so exploring on foot is an easy way to flit between attractions.
Dresden also has a reasonably priced public transport network, including trams, buses and S-Bahn trains. You can purchase tickets onboard and from designated ticket machines. Night connections are available but can be infrequent.
DFDS PICK: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tickets
The fastest transport option for short and medium distances is bicycles. You’ll find designated bicycle lanes – some separated from motorised traffic. The city’s ‘MOBIbike’ bike-sharing system offers an environmentally friendly travel method. The bikes can be picked up and dropped off at specific points around the city. There are also bicycle taxis that mainly move around Dresden Old Town.
What to see in Dresden?
A city packed with cultural gems and beautiful Baroque architecture, here are the best things to do in Dresden.
Visit Brühl's Terrace
Brühl's Terrace is one of Dresden’s most popular attractions, often called the ‘Balcony of Europe'. Built along the city’s fortifications, this 500-metre-long terrace offers beautiful views of the Augustus Bridge, the Elbe River and other highlights.
DFDS PICK: Shared Small Group Walking Tour
Explore Zwinger Palace
Discover Zwinger Palace, one of Germany’s best-known Baroque palaces. Admire the second-largest porcelain collection in the world, the Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments.
DFDS PICK: Ticket + Tour Gallery Old Masters
Marvel at Dresden Cathedral
Dresden Cathedral is the city’s youngest Baroque structure and the burial site of several Saxon rulers. It was constructed during the 18th century in the traditional Baroque style.
Other attractions
Other must-visit attractions in Dresden include:
The New Synagogue – this building is found in Dresden’s Old Town. It was built on the site of the former Semper Synagogue, which was destroyed in 1938 during the Crystal Night
The Great Garden – this is a beautiful place to spend time outdoors. Walk along picturesque, landscaped paths and admire the botanical gardens. The park also has a small palace, one of the earliest examples of Baroque architecture in Germany
Schwebebahn Dresden – visit the world’s oldest suspended railway. The Schwebebahn is over 200 metres long and offers spectacular views from the upper station
Kunsthofpassage – head to Neustadt to find a web of colourful courtyards home to small shops, cafés and bars
Frauenkirche – this Dresden church was initially built as Roman Catholic but became a Protestant church during the reformation. The temple is considered a perfect example of Protestant architecture and has one of the largest domes in Europe
Where to eat and drink in Dresden
Dresden has a thriving restaurant scene, offering delicious regional cuisine. Here are some of the best restaurants and pubs across the city, with something for every budget.
Restaurant Genuss-Atelier
For a memorable fine dining experience, head to Restaurant Genuss-Atelier. This cosy cellar restaurant is housed in a picturesque villa. Choose from a selection of authentic dishes prepared using top-quality ingredients. The restaurant also has a curated range of wines from eastern Germany.
Lloyd’s Café and Bar
This café and restaurant is a perfect place to relax, serving various meat and vegan dishes. In the evening, it transforms into a stylish bar where you can choose from a great range of beer, cocktails and other beverages.
The Red Rooster
The Red Rooster is one of Dresden’s oldest pubs, found in the Baroque Quarter. With a friendly environment, this pub is a popular spot for a drink, serving a range of international beers and other tipples.
Dresden Gin House
If you’re a gin lover, add the Dresden Gin House to your itinerary. The venue focuses on enhancing well-known cocktails with creative, modern twists. Here, you can try tasty variants of the classic espresso martini, Negroni and more.
Where to stay in Dresden
If you’re a first-time visitor to Dresden, we recommend staying in the city’s central area, Altstadt. This historic neighbourhood gives you great access to some of Dresden’s best cultural attractions, including the Dresden Frauenkirche.
Dorint Hotel Dresden
Dorint Dresden boasts an excellent location in the heart of Dresden, only a 10-minute walk from Dresden Central Station. This 4-star hotel offers modern, spacious rooms and an indoor pool to relax after a busy day. In the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet in The Gallery.
ibis Budget Dresden City
This hotel is a great option if you’re on a budget, with an excellent location close to Zwinger Palace, Altstadt tram stop and plenty of restaurants and bars. All guest rooms are air-conditioned, and visitors can start their day with a breakfast buffet in the cafeteria.
