Dresden, A city with Two Faces
What was a city of kings and dukes for 700 years, was destroyed over two days and two nights and then rebuilt stone by stone over 70 years. This remarkable construction work earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004.
The old town contains the majority of the city’s attractions and historical monuments, including several Baroque and Renaissance jewels which the rebuilding of was completed as recently as the last decade. The immaculate and orderly Altstadt stands in contrast to other side of the river where Neustadt offers a more lively, trendy, and night-owl friendly feel. It’s in Altstadt that our hoteliers recommend soaking in the history and in Neustadt that they recommend getting lost in the streets to take the pulse of the neighbourhood and appreciate that street art is an essential element of this half of the city’s décor.
Old or new, original or rebuilt, our local experts and their hotels welcome you to discover both faces of the Florence of the Elbe, a city with a history like no other.
Dresden: THE HOTELS
Dresden: Be inspired
What to do, to see, to hear...
Getting to Dresden
Direct flights to Dresden aren’t available from everywhere, but connections through Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin make Dresden an easy-to-arrive internationally friendly destination. You could also opt for the train to reach the capital of Saxony, particularly simple if you are coming from the direction of Leipzig or Prague. Car or bus arrivals make for pleasant scenery as you travel through Europe, but its location in the far east of Germany does mean a long drive for visitors travelling from France or Southern Europe. Once you’ve arrived, the city is perfect for leaving the car behind. In Dresden the bike is king, and the transport system of trains, trams and buses makes it easy to explore both sides of the Elbe.
When to Visit Dresden?
To make the most of Dresden, the best season is undoubtedly summer. The area has a continental climate with big temperature differences between winter and summer, but the city itself benefits from its own microclimate. The Elbe helps shape the weather to give an average of 22°C in the summer and 0°C in the winter. June and July are often rainy, but autumn in Dresden often delivers splendid (if a little cool) weather. Want to experience a unique side of Dresden? Then our hoteliers invite you to visit in winter, where the snow covered Altstadt is a true thing of beauty.
What to do in Dresden?
The essential attractions
Listen to the advice of our hoteliers and bring your walking shoes when you visit Dresden. The history of the city and its many attractions are best discovered along its long pedestrian streets. When the walking gets too much, take a break in the Großer Garten, the green lung of the city, which also houses the city’s zoo and botanical gardens. Swap the baroque for bohemian and head to Neustadt where you’ll fall in love with the narrow alleys, hidden boutiques, trendy eating spots and vibey nightlife that encourages you to stay out longer than you intended. Discover easily the main attractions, things to do and visits thanks to our top hotels in Dresden.
Dresden, a Cuisine of Tradition meets Modernity
Even if more restaurants in Dresden have ‘converted’ to vegan dining spots, traditional hearty Saxon cuisine still has a bright future. Among the must-haves: Saurebraten (marinated beef served with sauerkraut), Klöße and Knödell (dumplings made from potatoes or bread, filled or not). If you want to eat on the go, don’t miss the currywurst, a must in Germany! Dessert side, the Eierschecke is a pastry made with apples, cottage cheese and poppy seeds that looks a bit like a custard. And if you’re visiting during Christmas make space for some Christstollen, a favourite seasonal cake with dried fruits, candied citrus, nuts and spices. Guten Appetit!