Dresden

Germany's baroque capital — rebuilt from near-total destruction and now one of the most beautiful cities on the Elbe.

220 hotelsSaxonyBest season: May – Oct

DestinationDresden, Germany

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About Dresden

Dresden is the capital of the German state of Saxony and one of the most visually striking cities in Central Europe. The old town, centred on the Zwinger palace complex and the restored Frauenkirche, was almost entirely destroyed in the Allied firebombing of February 1945. Its reconstruction — still ongoing in some respects — is one of the most remarkable acts of architectural restoration in Europe.

The city sits on the Elbe river and has a Swiss-influenced landscape of sandstone hills and river valleys directly to its south (Saxon Switzerland). It is 2.5 hours from Prague by train, making it the most accessible major German city for visitors travelling through the Czech Republic.

Key facts

Country

Germany

Region

Saxony

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Language

German (English spoken in tourist areas)

Airport

Dresden Airport (DRS) — 20 min by S-Bahn

Best time to visit

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Great Good Busy/hot Cold

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Where to stay in Dresden

Each neighbourhood has a distinct character — pick the one that suits your trip

Old Town

Altstadt

Zwinger, Frauenkirche, Opera, Semperoper, main museums

New Town

Neustadt

Bohemian quarter north of the Elbe, bars and nightlife

Elbe villages

Loschwitz

Vineyard-covered hillside villages east of the city centre

Dresden guides

Everything you need to plan your trip, written by people who've spent real time there

City Guide

Dresden: the phoenix city of the Elbe

Rebuilt from rubble, now baroque and brilliant. The German city most visitors skip and most return visitors regret skipping.

6 min readRead →

Practical information

The essentials before you go

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Getting there

By train Direct trains from Prague (2.5h), Berlin (2h) and Frankfurt (4h). Dresden Hauptbahnhof is south of the old town, a 15-minute walk.

By air Dresden Airport (DRS) has connections to German hubs and some European cities. S-Bahn into the centre takes 20 minutes.

By bus FlixBus connects Dresden to Berlin, Prague and other regional cities.

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Getting around

Tram Dresden has an extensive historic tram network. A day pass covers all public transport.

On foot The old town is very walkable. The Neustadt is across the Augustus Bridge, about 20 minutes on foot.

Steamboat Historic paddle steamers operate on the Elbe in summer — a scenic way to reach the Saxon Switzerland villages.

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Good to know

Museums The Zwinger houses the Old Masters Picture Gallery — one of the finest collections in Europe. The Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) has extraordinary jewel collections.

Christmas market Dresden's Striezelmarkt is the oldest Christmas market in Germany (established 1434) and consistently rated among the best in Europe.

Saxon Switzerland The Elbe sandstone hills 30 minutes by S-Bahn are one of Germany's most dramatic natural landscapes — excellent hiking and rock climbing.

Nearby destinations

Easy day trips and next stops from Dresden

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