The city of Dresden may very well be one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Located in the eastern region of Germany, Dresden is an easy day trip from Prague, Berlin, Wrocław, or even Frankfurt.
The Saxon city is dreamy and picturesque with historic Baroque architecture, royal palaces, and beautiful cathedrals. Yet somehow the city has thwarted the crowds of western tourists that descend on nearby cities each summer. Whether you plan to spend one day in Dresden or have more time to spend exploring the city, we’ve laid out the best things to do and an ideal itinerary to follow.
Our personal experience visiting Dresden
Our family visiting Dresden.
When we visit Central Europe, we often bounce around from city to city, spending anywhere between one to three days in each place. Dresden was a stop on one of those multi-city Central European itineraries.
We actually spent 2 days in Dresden, not just one. However, a good portion of those days were spent relaxing in cafes and restaurants and enjoying the atmosphere and company. So, many of the things we did can easily fit into just one day in Dresden, if you don’t require or desire as much down time.
During our time in Dresden, we didn’t overhear a single person speaking English, making me feel like perhaps the city isn’t as well-known among travelers from the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom. However, as stunning as the city is, I could see that changing and its popularity growing quickly. It is already one of our favorite cities in Germany!
Ready to explore Dresden in a day? From colorful squares to grandiose palaces, Dresden is an impressive city.
9 a.m. – Breakfast near the Zwinger (We ate at Alex)
10 a.m. – Dresden Zwinger
11 a.m. – Dresden Royal Palace and Green Vault
12:30 p.m. – Walk by Furstenzug and Schlossplatz
1:00 p.m. – Take the stairs to Bruhlsche Terrasse
1:30 p.m. – Lunch in Old Town’s Neumarkt
2:30 p.m. – Visit and climb the tower at Frauenkirche
4:00 p.m. – Walk through Altmarkt and stop for a beer, ice cream, or coffee
5:00 p.m. – Peek inside Kreuzkirche
6:00 p.m. – Walk across the Augustus Bridge
7:00 p.m. – Have a casual dinner at a beer garden in Neustädter Markt
Places to Visit During One Day in Dresden
Now that you have a general itinerary to follow, we’ll go through each place that you’ll visit on the itinerary and have included a few additional suggestions if you have an extra day or so in Dresden.
Dresden Zwinger
The courtyard at the Dresden Zwinger. | Photo by Marco from Unsplash
Begin your one day in Dresden by heading directly to the Dresden Zwinger.
The Zwinger is one of the most magnificent examples of Baroque architecture in Germany. It houses an extensive collection of European art in the Old Masters Picture Gallery as well as a porcelain collection and the Mathematical Salon. It is also well known for its meticulously manicured courtyard which features several fountains and gardens.
Royal Palace Museum
The Grand Staircase at the Dresden Residenzschloss
After touring the Zwinger, head directly to the Royal Palace Museum, also known as the Dresden Residenzschloss, or Dresden Castle.
It is one of the oldest buildings in the city dating back to the 15th century and once served as the residence of Saxon kings and the official meeting place of the royal cabinet.
The Armoury at Dresden Castle.
Some notable sections of the palace museum that families will find most fascinating include the Royal State Apartments, the Armory, and the Turkish Chamber.
Green Vault
One of the treasures found within the Historic Green Vault.
Inside the Royal Palace we recommend buying a ticket to the Historic Green Vault, as well. A separate admission charge from the rest of the palace, the Green Vault requires a timed ticket. This area of the palace includes some rooms that escaped damage during World War II, maintaining their original appearance.
This air-tight area of the museum showcases precious jewels and collections of treasures, with each room you enter seemingly more incredible than the previous one.
Schlossplatz
Schlossplatz is a beautiful plaza surrounded by incredible architecture.
After your tour of the palace circuit and Green Vault, head through the Georgentor, or George Gate, to Schlossplatz. This plaza bordering the Elbe River is one of the most picturesque and historic squares in Dresden.
The spire of the Catholic Church of the Royal Court dominates the square, which often serves as a gathering place as well as a tourist attraction. In this plaza you’ll find peculiar street performers entertaining crowds for tips surrounded by incredible architecture that will reflect the city’s culture and past royal grandeur.
Fürstenzug
The Furstenzug is the largest porcelain artwork in the world.
One of the most impressive pieces of public art in Dresden, The Fürstenzug, or Procession of Princes, is a massive mural that stretches 100 meters (325 feet) along the outer wall of the Dresden Castle complex. The mural consists of 25,000 porcelain tiles and is the largest porcelain artwork in the world.
The mural depicts former Saxon rulers over 800 years of the region’s history. Despite intense bombing of Dresden during World War II,the mural made it through almost unscathed.
The Furstenzug lines the street that takes you from Schlossplatz to Neumarkt in Inner Altstadt, which is a pretty and lively square lined with colorful buildings which will give you that quintessential European Old Town feeling.
Brühlsche Terrasse
Bruhl’s Terrace overlooks the Elbe River. | Photo by Ravipal Singh Chauhan from Unsplash
Often called the “Balcony of Europe”, Brühlsche Terrasse is the perfect place for a quick stroll after spending a few hours touring the inner rooms of the Royal Palace. The elevated terrace stretches along the riverbank atop the former city walls. It is adorned with statues, public gardens, and Baroque-style buildings.
It is the perfect place to pause and take in the views or simply get some fresh air before moving onto your next adventure.
Neumarkt Old Town
Neumarkt is a great place to enjoy an outdoor lunch while taking in the atmosphere.
After walking along the terrace, head to Old Town’s beautifully restored Neumarkt for lunch. There are lots of restaurants to choose from in this charming square where you can enjoy some great German cuisine on an outdoor patio while taking in the atmosphere in this Old Town hub which is lined with colorful buildings and the type of architecture that Germany is famous for.
The square’s main attraction is the Frauenkirche, which will be your next Dresden day trip stop. However, Neumarkt also frequently hosts events and is always filled with people and street performers.
Frauenkirche Dresden
The incredible Frauenkirche is a landmark in Dresden.
Frauenkirche is the most famous church in Dresden. Known for its grand dome, the church was originally built in the 18th century. However, it was destroyed by Allied bombing of the city during World War II and left in ruins. However, following Germany’s reunification that came after the fall of the Berlin Wall in the 1980s, reconstruction on the church began with a concerted effort to use as many of the original stones as possible.
Completed in 2005, the church has been completely restored both inside and out. Aside from going inside the church to view its sanctuary and altar, you can also climb the dome for panoramic views of Old Town.
Altmarkt
Posing for a photo in the middle of the spacious Altmarkt with the Kreuzkirche in the background.
Altmarkt will be your next stop during your one day in Dresden. It is Dresden’s oldest square and often hosts festivals like open-air concerts and seasonal markets. It is where you’ll find Dresden’s famous Christmas market each December, which is the oldest in Europe. During Christmastime, the wide-open square is filled with stalls selling crafts, delicious food, and German souvenirs.
Even when there isn’t a market or event going on in the square, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and breweries that are great places to relax or grab something to eat or drink.
Kreuzkirche, also known as Church of the Holy Cross, is one of Dresden’s oldest churches. A landmark in the city, the Lutheran church is recognized for its aged stone tower that is almost black in appearance.
Located on the corner of Altmarkt, it’s easy to find if you’re walking around Dresden. The church was free for us to enter, but there was a small fee to climb the observation tower.
Augustus Bridge
The Augustus Bridge with Altstadt in the background. | Photo by Filip Altman from Pixabay
The Augustus Bridge is one of the most central bridges in Dresden. It crosses the Elbe River connecting the city’s old town (Altstadt) with the new town (Neustadt). Originally built in the 13th century, the bridge has been completely reconstructed several times.
You’ll find the bridge near Schlossplatz and the steps to the Bruhlsche Terrasse. On warm days, you’ll often find locals sitting along the beach area on the Neustadt side of the bridge enjoying the views of the Elbe River.
Neustädter Markt
Having an ice cream in Neustadter Markt.
After you cross the Augustus Bridge, you’ll be in Neustadter Markt, a large square located right on the bank of the river in Neustadt, or New Town.
The square is known for its significant landmarks, including the Golden Rider statue of Augustus the Strong, one of Saxony’s famous rulers. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, pubs, and beer gardens lining the square and the streets leading up to it where you can grab dinner and relax as you reflect on your incredible day in Dresden.
Places to visit if you have more time
If you decide to stay an extra day in Dresden or more, here are a few other suggestions of places to visit and things to see that you probably won’t have time to make it to on your first day.
Großer Garten
Taking a rowboat ride on a lake in Grosser Garden is a great way to break up sightseeing in Dresden.
Großer Garten, or Grosser Garden in English, is the largest public park in Dresden. This beautiful green space is only a 15-minute walk or 5-minute tram ride from Old Town. In the park you’ll find tree-lined walking and cycling trails, flower gardens, a miniature train that winds through the park, three lakes, and even the Dresden Zoo.
At the center of the park stands Palais Großer Garten, a grand 17th-century palace. We visited the park on our second day in Dresden and rented a rowboat to take around one of the lakes. There is also a cafe and a beer garden in the park where you can grab a casual lunch or dinner.
Albertinum – New Masters Gallery
If you love art museums, you’ll want to be sure to visit the Albertinum during your time in Dresden. This world-renowned museum is located on Brühl’s Terrace. It houses the New Masters Gallery and Sculpture Collection.
Inside the museum, you’ll find artwork from the Romantic period through modern and contemporary times. Famous artists like Monet and Rodin have works featured in the Albertinum.
Saxon Switzerland National Park
One of the most beautiful national parks in Germany, Saxon Switzerland is an easy drive from Dresden and the perfect place to spend a day. While you can also get there by train, renting a car for the day is the most ideal option. You can also book a guided tour.
Inside the park, the Elbe River Valley is surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs. Many of the most popular hiking trails take you to picturesque viewpoints like the Bastei Bridge. The park is also home to the medieval Königstein Fortress, which overlooks the town of Königstein.
Is Dresden worth visiting?
The Dresden skyline as seen from the bell tower of Kreuzkirche.
While many people who visit Germany tend to focus on the storybook charm of places like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the Bavarian culture in cities like Munich, or even the famous festivals like Oktoberfest, those aren’t the only places worth visiting in this incredible country. Dresden was one of our personal favorite cities in Germany.
Whether you spend just 1 day in Dresden or decide to stay longer, the capital city of Saxony is well worth visiting.
How many days do you need in Dresden, Germany?
There are so many beautiful and historic places to visit in Dresden that it is best to give yourself more than one day, if possible.
Although Dresden is one of the most popular day trips from Berlin and other nearby cities, we recommend spending at least one or two nights in the city.
We stayed atIBIS Budget Dresden Cityin Altstadt, which was a 15-minute walk or a short tram ride from the main train station, Dresden Hauptbahnhof. An alternative hotel, NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt, is located directly on the Altmarkt square.
Giving yourself more than just one day in Dresden allows you the time to explore outside the Old Town area and get a better feel for the city as a whole.
Do you have a question or comment about this Dresden one day itinerary? We’d love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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