Dresden holidays

How to reach Dresden

Flight time: Flights to Dresden from London take about 1 hour 50 minutes.

Transfer time: The easiest way to get from Dresden Airport to the city centre is by the S-Bahn (S2), a journey of around 20 minutes; trains run every 30 minutes to Dresden Hauptbahnhof (main station).

Price: A single journey on the S-Bahn from the airport to the city centre costs around €3. A taxi will set you back around €25–30.

Best time to visit Dresden

Deciding when to take your Dresden holidays will depend on what you plan to do during your trip, and the weather might also be a factor in this.

April to June:

• Spring brings milder temperatures of around 10°C to 18°C, though do expect plenty of rain, so bring a jacket.

• You’ll enjoy around 6–7 hours of sunshine a day.

July to August:

• High season, so expect larger crowds and slightly higher accommodation prices.

• It’s warm and sunny, with temperatures around 22°C to 25°C.

• You can expect 7–9 hours of sunshine daily and limited rainfall (40–60mm).

September to November:

• Cooler but still very pleasant weather, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C.

• This is the best time to explore Dresden’s many cultural assets, but do expect the city's museums to be busy.

December to March:

• The famous Striezelmarkt is a winter highlight, but pack warmly as it can get quite chilly - snow is likely and temperatures drop to between 3°C and -1°C.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: German is the official language, but English is widely spoken throughout the city.

• Local habits and customs: When tipping in a café, round your bill up to the next €0.50 or €1 and give the total directly to the waiter; at restaurants, you should leave around 10 percent of the bill. When you are in a group, you should wait until everybody has their drink and only start drinking after clinking glasses. When clinking glasses, it is essential to look into each other's eyes.

• Currency: Germany uses the Euro (€), with credit and debit cards accepted in most places.

• Getting around: The network of trams, buses and S-Bahn is frequent and reliable, though the main sights are easily walkable. Trams #8 (to Theaterplatz) and #7 (to the Synagogue by Brühlischer Garten) are useful for getting between the Neustadt and Altstadt. One-way €2.30; day ticket €6.

• Electricity and plug types: Germany uses 220 volts, and UK travellers will need an adaptor for continental-style two-pin round plugs.

• Time zone: Dresden is in the Central European Time zone (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT.

Best things to do in Dresden

The beautiful Saxon capital so ruthlessly destroyed in 1945 is now rebuilt and thriving. After marvelling at the glorious architecture and dazzling artistry, go barhopping in one of the most enjoyable Szene neighbourhoods in Germany.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Brühl's Terrace: Acclaimed as the “Balcony of Europe,” this elevated riverside belvedere provides views from 15m above river level – all in all the best promenade in town.

• Frauenkirche Dome: A separate entrance at the rear provides access to the tower whose windy balcony provides unrivalled views over the city and river.

The best districts

• Altstadt (Old Town): The heart of Dresden’s cultural life is the south-bank Altstadt, packed with historic buildings and museums, tour groups and cafés.

• Neustadt (New Town): Across the Elbe River, the north-bank Neustadt is the best bar district south of Berlin and has a young multicultural population for whom the historical city is just that – history.

Museums

• Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister: The big draw of the Zwinger’s three collections is the Saxon Electors’ exquisite collection of old masters, which includes the seven Dresden scenes by Canaletto.

• Grüne Gewölbe: One of the most sumptuous treasuries on the planet, these fancies are a legacy of Augustus the Strong – a real-life Ali Baba’s cave of gold, silver, diamonds, ivory and mother-of-pearl craftsmanship.

Parks and gardens

• Grosser Garten: Dresden’s largest park, the Grosser rolls out a carpet of greenery. Its origins are as a pleasure garden of the ruling House of Wettin – a place for such idle pursuits as games, theatre or hunting – and it was laid out accordingly in formal Baroque style until the switch to the current naturalistic parkland in vogue in the late 18th century.

Historical monuments

• Frauenkirche: No monument is so potent a metaphor for reborn Dresden, designed both as Germany’s largest Protestant church and a piece of one-upmanship over the nearby Catholic Hofkirche.

• Zwinger Palace: The great glory of Baroque Dresden, this is a masterpiece of architecture. Inside, you’ll find museums like the Old Masters Picture Gallery, featuring works by Raphael, Rembrandt and Titian.

Day trips in the area

• Saxon Switzerland National Park: Spectacular views and sandstone massifs in the most scenic corner of Saxony, best savoured on a week-long walk that has been voted the most beautiful in Germany, but which can be sampled on a day trip from Dresden.

• Meissen: Never mind Europe’s first and finest porcelain factory, Meissen’s picture-book-pretty Altstadt is idyllic.

Activities for families in Dresden

Few cities in Germany are as kid-friendly as Dresden, particularly when it comes to museums, but there’s so much else to enjoy here for those with little ones.

• Train rides: A miniature steam train, the Dresdener Parkeisenbahn, is operated and staffed largely by children (though adults drive the trains) and in GDR days was a “pioneer railway” where kids could experience working on a railway – an idea that originated in the USSR and spread throughout Eastern Europe.

• Aquariums and zoos: Although small by German standards, the zoo is still home to over 1,500 animals and offers a fantastic day out for families - highlights include the elephant enclosure and petting zoo.

• River trips: Dresden is home to the oldest and biggest paddle steamer fleet in the world: Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt runs nine historic wheel steamers making their way up and down the river past lovely scenery. Summer (obviously) is best for a nostalgic Elbe river ride.

Free things to do in Dresden

Exploring Dresden doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of free things to do that allow you to soak up the city’s beauty and history without spending a euro.

• Free museums: You can visit Brühl's Terrace, the gardens of Pillnitz Palace, and the interior of the Frauenkirche without spending a penny. It’s also free to enter the Zwinger Palace’s magnificent courtyard and view the enchanting Nymphenbad fountain at the rear.

• Explore by tram: Hop on tram number 4 or 6, both of which pass by many of Dresden’s landmarks - this is a terrific, budget-friendly way to see the city, particularly if you’re short on time.

• Free events: Dresden hosts several free open-air concerts and festivals throughout the summer. Check out the Elbhangfest, a festival celebrating art, culture, and local traditions.

Nature and outdoor activities in Dresden

The city and its surrounding areas offer a variety of activities - from gentle walks to more adventurous pursuits - that make the most of the beautiful Saxony countryside.

• Hiking: One classic hiking route is the 115km Malerweg (Painter Route), overnighting in tourist-friendly villages along the way. There are also countless day hikes, easily reached by train from Dresden, such as Königstein to Rathen via Lilienstein (7km), through woods and open vistas.

• Watersports: The Elbe River is a fantastic outlet for anyone wanting to get out on the water. Several companies in Dresden offer stand-up paddleboards for hire, as well as guided tours for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

• Cycling: The Elbe River cycling path runs for hundreds of kilometres, and whilst it may not be possible (or wise) to do the entire stretch, the section through Dresden is particularly delightful.

Local dishes in Dresden

One of the great delights of holidays to Dresden is discovering Saxon cuisine, and while meat (especially sausages) tends to dominate, there’s much more besides.

Some typical dishes

• Sauerbraten: A marinated pot roast slow-cooked in a vinegar-based marinade and served with red cabbage and dumplings.

• Kartoffelsuppe: A creamy potato soup made with vegetables, bacon and sausage, this is a comforting winter dish.

Meat dishes

• Saxon bratwurst: The Saxon version of this famous sausage is made with finely ground pork and grilled to perfection.

• Schweinshaxe: A huge crispy knuckle which could have graced a medieval banqueting table, usually served with potato dumplings or sauerkraut.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Forelle Müllerin Art: Trout cooked in the “Müllerin” style: lightly coated in flour, fried and served with butter, potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Street food

• Brezen (Pretzels): A staple of the streets, these pretzels - covered in salt crystals - are far superior to their American counterparts.

Sweets and desserts

• Dresdner Christstollen: This famous Christmas cake is a rich, fruit-filled bread dusted with powdered sugar. Dresden’s invention of the Stollen is celebrated in the jovial Stollenfest, in which a four-tonne example journeys through the city before being carved into bite-sized portions.

• Eierschecke: A layered cake made with a yeast base, a quark (curd cheese) filling and a custard topping.

Local drinks

• Radeberger Pilsner: One of the region’s most famous beers, this crisp, refreshing pilsner is brewed just outside Dresden.

• Saxon wine: Dresden is located in one of Germany’s smaller wine regions, with vineyards along the Elbe River producing excellent Riesling and Müller-Thurgau wines.