12 essentials: what to see and do in Dresden (Germany) in one day

If there is a city that arouses great tourist interest in the eastern germany, in the regions that were part of the disappeared German Democratic Republic, that is, without a doubt, Dresden.

Until my recent trip to this German city, I knew that Dresden It was a city with a great historical heritage and great beauty, which explains her nickname The Florence on the Elbe.

And above all he was aware of the great drama he experienced Dresden after great bombardment suffered weeks before the end of the Second World War, with a fire that almost completely destroyed its historic center.

Now when making a sightseeing trip to dresden I have discovered a city that is still immersed in the long process of recovering its historical heritage.

The best example of this is the completion in 2005 of the Frauenkirche church, which has become the symbol of the reconstruction of the city.

Indeed, currently walking through the historic center of dresden You will be surprised once again by the great strength of the German people, and the works that are being carried out are a clear invitation to visit this city again in the future.

With all that has been said, you can consider the reason why Dresden is not part of the list World Heritage for the Unesco.

As a curiosity, I will tell you that, indeed, it was included in that list in 2005, but due to the construction of a bridge that crosses the elbe river, Unesco He took this recognition away from the city.

Curiosities of the history of Dresden

It is in 1206 when the city of Dresden, which during the 15th century became the residence of the king of saxony.

It soon came to be run by the elector princes (members of the electoral college that elected the Emperor of the Holy Roman German Empire).

The relationship of the city ​​of dresden with the great fires is not limited to the drama experienced during the Second World War.

In 1685 the city burned completely, which led to a great subsequent boom under the government of Augustus the Strong.

It was at this time when Dresden much of its architectural heritage was built and it began to gain fame as a cultural city.

Subsequently Dresden He was involved in several wars, specifically, against revolutionary France and Napoleon, but on the other hand he did not suffer the World War I.

Although already during the time of the German Democratic Republic Some of the historic buildings began to be rebuilt, the great Dresden heritage recovery It has been carried out after German reunification…and still continues.

What to see and do in Dresden in one day

Dresden It is a city that is usually visit tourism in one day, but I can tell you that it has areas with enough interest to justify a two or even three-day stay.

If you can only dedicate one day to it, my advice is to focus on the visit of the historic center, which you can do on foot very comfortably, since its most important historical heritage is very concentrated there.

Guided tour of Dresden with guide in Spanish

As we always recommend in city ​​breaks, the best way to start a tourist visit to a city is to sign up for a tour.

Specifically, a guided tour in Spanish It will take you two hours during which you will get to know the most notable corners of the historic center, and it will help you to locate yourself in the city and then go deeper on your own to visit the places of greatest interest.

Climb the dome of the Frauenkirche in Dresden

The ideal would be to start your visit climbing to the dome of the Fraunkirche, the great baroque church which was completed rebuilt in 2005, and which you find in the central Neumarkt square.

From the top of its imposing dome you will have the best panoramic views of Dresden and its surroundings, with the elbe river as a great protagonist.

Visit the Royal Palace of Dresden

On this walk through the historic center you must also visit the royal palace: Dresden Residential Palace.

It is a palace complex in which the treasure museumWith its baroque rooms of great artistic wealth, the most prominent corner being known as Green Vault.

On this visit you also have the option of climb the tower of the Royal Palace,

From this viewpoint you will have the opportunity to see panoramic views of the catholic cathedral of dresden, or the Semperoper, headquarters building of the Saxon State Opera, built in 1878.

See the Prince's Procession in Dresden

On your walk you will also see other beautiful corners, such as the Prince Procession (Procession of Princes), a large wall on the street more than 100 meters long built with 24.000 tiles, which shows all the rulers of Saxony from 1123 to 1904.

Or the bridge that unites the Royal Palace to another nearby building, which will remind you of the Venice Bridge of Sighs.

Visit the Zwinger Palaces in Dresden

You should also not miss visiting the kennels, a complex of palaces with baroque architecture from the early 18th century, whose best way to appreciate them is from its large landscaped interior patio, and which house various museums.

And you must also walk through the Brühl terrace which runs over a section of the old wall, on the banks of the elbe river.

What to see and do in Dresden in two days

If you are going to dedicate more than one day to visit Dresden, you will have the opportunity to discover other facets of this German city, after which your image of it will be much broader and more diverse than that of a set of baroque monuments.

City Tour in Dresden

The best way to expand your vision of Dresden is to get on the City Tour panoramic bus (20 euros) with which you will not only tour the historic center, but, above all, will allow you to discover the most rural side of the city.

Furthermore, in recent years they have joined the Dresden municipality various towns that extend along the banks of the elbe river, some of which you can see in the tourist bus tour, which lasts for an hour and a half.

Thus, you will travel the Blasewitz neighborhood, with stately villas from the 19th century.

Elbe Palaces in Dresden

Or the Elbe palaces, three palatial buildings that are located successively on the wooded hill that rises next to the river.

From the bus you will also see a suburban suburbs Dresden, whose buildings are older than those in the city center because they did not suffer the bombings of the Second World War.

You can also see an iron bridge from the 19th century or the oldest funicular in Europe, and you will pass through it Great Garden of Dresden, a large landscaped park.

And surely the modern building of the factory will also catch your attention. Volkswagen where the luxurious model is produced Phaeton, with all the glass facades, and where the workers wear white coats and gloves.

Another advantage of dedicating more than one day to visit Dresden is that you can take a very interesting excursion.

Elbe Cruise in Dresden

This is the Elbe cruise to Pillnitz Palace, which you do in a historical paddle steamer in which in a very relaxed way you will be able to see that other, more residential and rural side of Dresden.

Pillnitz Palace in Dresden

On this excursion, which will take you five hours in total, you will reach the aforementioned Baroque Pillnitz Palace, which you can visit before returning to Dresden.

Street art in Neustadt, Dresden

Stay in Dresden It will also allow you to know the Neustadt neighborhood, which will show you a very different image of the city.

In this alternative neighborhood of young people, with more than 150 bars and restaurants, a kind of micro-republic with many houses occupied after the fall of the Wall.

El street art It has a great role in the neighborhood, and if you want to delve deeper into its history and idiosyncrasies, you can sign up for the guided night tours of Neustadt that carries out Danilo, a passionate neighborhood resident.

Wine tourism in Radebeul in Dresden

On the other hand, did you know that Dresden part of the Sächsisches Elbland wine-growing area that extends to both banks of the elbe river?

This allows you to give added guidance to your Dresden visit, beyond visiting its baroque monuments.

Wine Street in Radebeul

Thus, for example, in the nearby town of Radebeul, where you arrive in just 15 minutes by commuter train, you can visit what is known as Wine Street, with several small wineries that follow one another on the slope of a hill covered with vineyards.

In the case of my recent trip to dresden It coincided with the open day.

In this way I was able to spend a the working wine tourism enjoying the pleasant open-air terraces of the wineries, tasting various local wines surrounded by beautiful vineyard landscapes.

Finally, for sleep in Dresden I can recommend the very modern and comfortable one QF Hotel (from 99 euros) located in the historic center, in the aforementioned Neumarkt square.

And if you prefer a lovely hotel in the vineyard area surrounding Dresden, I advise you Villa Sorgenfei, on whose terrace you can enjoy a pleasant signature dinner.

Excursions to Dresden

You should know that, due to its location, the city ​​of dresden It can be an extension of your trip to Berlin o Prague, since it is located halfway between both, so that by car you will arrive in just under two hours.

Due to the ease of getting to this city, you also have the option of signing up for a private tour to Dresden from Prague or a private tour from Berlin.

Map: how to get to Dresden

For get to Dresden, currently you do not have direct flights from Spain, so you will have to fly with scale in another German city like Frankfurt or Munich, which will take you between four or five hours.

Here you have information about transfers from Dresden airport that will allow you to get to the center in the most comfortable way.