Discover

Dresden

The city on the Elbe
One of the most interesting destinations, easily reached also from Leipzig central station, is Dresden, situated on the Elbe river, which in 2006 celebrated 800 years of history. Capital of Saxony and a UNESCO World Heritage city, Dresden has a wealth of artistic treasures and architectural masterpieces.
 
City landscape of Dresden. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
A mixture of old and new set against a wonderful backdrop of river scenery. The thirty or so museums the city offers highlight its cultural and artistic importance. The Zwinger, the most famous building in Dresden, built in classic decorative Baroque style, is certainly well worth a visit. It houses priceless masterpieces by Raphael, Rubens and Rembrandt, and the world’s most important collection of porcelain. The Albertinum, a modern art gallery, exhibits works of Romanticism and German Impressionism.
 
The Zwinger Museum in Dresden in a beautiful square. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
Important buildings include the Church of our Lady (Frauenkirche), reconsecrated after its destruction during World War II, and the magnificent Semperoper theatre.
 
Semperoper theatre in Dresden. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
A walk along AugustusStrasse is like a journey through Saxon histoy. The Furstenzug (procession of princes), a mural 102 metres long, depicts all Saxon rulers from 1123 to 1904. The Neustadt, an area that preserves a piece of urban Baroque fabric, gives an idea of the city before 1945. 
 
Augustus bridge in Dresden. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
Dresden, as in the past, is a green city. The parks and fields along the Elbe extend right to the centre. The Grosser Garten (large garden), with its early Baroque palace, connects the fields with the city centre. This large park houses the zoo and botanical gardens.
 
Prager Strasse, Altmarkt and Wilsdruffer Strasse are the best shopping streets in Dresden. Hauptstrasse, with its rows of plane trees, is perfect place to stop for a meal or coffee in one of the numerous restaurants and coffee bars. Try the “Dresdner Eierschecke”, a traditional cake made with egg, together with your coffee. Konigstrasse, the most elegant road in the city, offers good food and excellent shopping in a Baroque atmosphere. The fashionable quarter of AuBere Neustadt is full of typical restaurants, bars, galleries and artistic projects, and has the most popular shops. Don’t miss the Pfunds Molkerei (Pfund Dairy), the most beautiful dairy store in the world, with wonderful interior decor and an extremely vast selection of cheeses.
 
Elbe cycle path in Dresden. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
Take a walk through the park around Pillnitz castle, once a royal palace, also reached by steamboat. Cycling enthusiasts can ride along the Elbe cycle path following the course of the river, or in the opposite direction towards Saxon Switzerland, a national park with unusual sandstone rocks.
Every Friday evening, from April to October, the city becomes a haunt for skaters. The City Festival is held in the third week of August, and the Contemporary Music Festival is held at the beginning of October.
 
Text by Lisa Maria River
Avion Tourism Magazine
Photos: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

All rights reserved. Copyright © Sisterscom.com

 

 

Tourism Board
www.dresden-tourist.de
www.germany.travel

Partnership with Booking.com
Where to sleep in Dresden
Dresden. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
Dresden is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.
To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.
 
 
WHERE TO GO in dresden
Tours and Excursions
Partnership with GetYourGuide 
The texts are protected by copyright and cannot be copied.
If you wish, you can share this page.