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Dresden, the capital of Saxony, earned the nickname Florence on the Elbe for its baroque skyline of domes, spires and palaces along the river. Almost destroyed in 1945, the old town has been painstakingly rebuilt, and the restored Frauenkirche, reconsecrated in 2005, has become a symbol of reconciliation.
The city's art collections rank among the finest in Europe. The Zwinger palace houses the Old Masters Picture Gallery with Raphael's Sistine Madonna, the Residenzschloss holds the dazzling treasures of the Green Vault, and the Semperoper is one of the world's great opera houses. Across the river, the Neustadt district is full of street art, bars and independent shops.
Dresden is easy to explore on foot and by tram, and generally cheaper than Munich or Berlin. The sandstone peaks of Saxon Switzerland, the porcelain town of Meissen and the city of Prague are all within easy reach, and in December the Striezelmarkt draws visitors from around the world.
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May to September is the best time to visit Dresden, when the Elbe riverbanks fill with picnickers and open-air events. Late November to Christmas brings the Striezelmarkt, one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, dating back to 1434. Winters are cold but the museums make Dresden a good year-round city break.
The S2 S-Bahn train is the easiest way from Dresden Airport to the city centre. It runs to Dresden-Neustadt in about 15 minutes and the main station in about 25 minutes. A taxi to the old town takes around 20 minutes.
Dresden's trams are the best way to get around beyond the walkable old town. Most major sights, including the Frauenkirche, Zwinger and Semperoper, are within a few minutes' walk of each other, and trams cross the Elbe to the Neustadt district. You do not need a car unless you plan to explore Saxon Switzerland independently.
Two to three days is ideal for Dresden. Spend a day on the old town's churches and palaces, a day on museums such as the Green Vault and the Old Masters Picture Gallery, and an evening in the Neustadt. Add a day for a hike in Saxon Switzerland.
Yes, Dresden is generally safe for tourists. The old town and main sights are busy and well policed. As in any city, watch your belongings in crowds and around the main station, and take normal care late at night.
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Saxon Switzerland National Park is the most popular day trip from Dresden, with the Bastei Bridge and sandstone rock towers less than an hour away by S-Bahn. Meissen, home of Europe's first porcelain factory, is about 40 minutes by train. Moritzburg Castle and Pillnitz Palace are closer still, and Prague is around 2.5 hours by train.
Dresdner Christstollen is the city's most famous food, a rich fruit bread traditionally eaten at Christmas. Also try Eierschecke, a layered Saxon cheesecake, Quarkkäulchen curd pancakes and Sauerbraten. Saxony also produces wine along the Elbe valley, one of Germany's smallest wine regions.
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