- Flight time from London: 1 hour 40 min
- Leipzig/Halle Airport: 122km from the city centre; transfer time about 1 hour 56 min
- Nearest railway station: Dresden Hauptbahnhof
- Currency: Euro
Magnificently located on the River Elbe in Germany, Dresden is a city overflowing with culture. Steeped in tradition and historic character, it boasts a great variety of attractions and magnificent architecture that shape the famous skyline.
The sandstone dome of Dresden's most iconic landmark, the Frauenkirche, proudly dominates the cityscape. For the best views, venture over the river into the New Town (Neustadt), where you'll also be greeted by the glorious 'Golden Cavalier' statue. The architecture of Dresden's historic old town is stunning and the world-famous art treasures are captivating.
A boat ride along the Dresden Elbe Valley is an idyllic way to experience a city that offers the serenity of Venice and the brilliance of Versailles. Visitors should try some local Saxon specialities in one of the many gourmet taverns or brewery houses in the Old Town.
In addition, Christmas transforms the city into a winter wonderland. In short, a trip to Dresden is always a fantastic experience.
Visit one of Europe's most beautiful churches. Destroyed during the Second World War and reopened in 2005, this church is a memorial for the war and also the key landmark of Dresden. In winter time, there is a beautiful Christmas market around the church.
This world-renowned theatre belongs to the most important historical buildings of Dresden and impresses with its amazing beauty. It houses the Saxon State Orchestra, one of the world's oldest and best-known orchestras.
A beautiful restored Baroque palace with a bell pavilion. It is also home to an old Masters Picture Gallery, Armoury and an impressive Porcelain Collection.
The Green Vault is a unique historic museum that contains the largest collection of treasures in Europe. It features a rich variety of exhibits from the Baroque to Classicism and is located in Dresden castle, one of Dresden's oldest buildings.
Visit Pillnitz Palace, home to the Museum of Decorative Arts and explore the garden, best known for how it combines strict Baroque forms with the structure of typical English landscaped gardens.
To make the most of your Dresden city break, it is best to explore the city on foot, allowing you to take in the heritage and prowess of the elegant surroundings. The city twinkles in the winter months and the Dresden Christmas market, traditionally called Striezelmarkt, is one of Germany's largest and oldest markets, dating all the way back to 1434.
The city is popular with those on Berlin City Breaks who arrive in their numbers to visit the many monuments and museums.
The Dresden Neumarkt is culturally important to the locals as the area was obliterated by allied bombing during the Second World War. After being restored to its former glory by the German reunification, the area has become a hive of activity attracting large crowds of tourists each year. It is lined with cafes and shops which are likely to be the perfect place to watch the world go by on your Dresden city break. Here you can relax and sample the selection of pastries and bread on offer whilst sipping a hot cup of tea.
Try delicious Saxon dishes, taste specialities from the neighbouring Bohemia or embark on a culinary journey around the world. Dresden enchants with gourmet dining and an endless variety of possibilities.
Enjoy local cuisine under the stylish vault of the Altmarktkeller or in the restaurant's own beer garden.
This insider's tip offers its guests regional hearty meals as well as light Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy delicious specialities while overlooking the city from high above the famous Elbe Valley.
A showcase fish restaurant hosted by a famous German chef. The restaurant is at the top end of the price scale but the food is worth the expense.
Have a meal at the Sophienkeller or Pulverturm (near Frauenkirche) - vaulted restaurants with historical flair.
The Pfund´s dairy shop in the Dresden Neustadt is in the Guinness book of Records as "the most beautiful milk shop in the world" with it´s 2247,90 m² maiolica tiles.
Find the town's main shopping areas close to the train station in the city centre via the Augustusbrücke bridge into the Neustadt quarter.
Stroll through this popular shopping street which is valued for its architectural diversity and excellent possibilities for shopping. Take a break at the famous fountains or in one of the beautiful tourist gardens behind the hotels with their rich and colourful plants.
This mall is one of the most attractive shopping centres in Dresden and is located in the heart of the picturesque Old Town. Visitors can enjoy over 100 shops, cafés and restaurants on four levels and a sales area of 26,000sqm.
Enjoy a shopping trip at Dresden's finest address, which can be found in the Baroque district around Königstrasse. The newly created shopping paradise hosts over 100 exclusive addresses for fine food and purchasing as well as galleries and sites of art, like the Artistic Summer in the Musenhof (Kunstsommer im Musenhof) in one of the finest Baroque inner courtyards.
Dresden offers its guests an endless diversity of clubs, events and locations during the whole year and fantastic beach bars in the summer. From dance, rock and pop to gothic or even mainstream evergreens, Dresden's nightlife leaves no tastes unaccounted for.
Citybeach Dresden: In good weather, from 10pm onwards, the beach club invites you to relax while sipping tasty cocktails. Sports enthusiasts will find possibilities for beach volleyball, table tennis and table football.
Pier 15 - Club & Lounge: Dresden's 'in' place is located in the historical warehouses in the 'Neustätter Hafen' and ensures fantastic party nights.
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