Over the past few years, visiting Dresden has become increasingly popular with both German and European tourists. The city itself is famed for its greenery and unique culture, as well as infamous for the tragic events which occurred during the Second World War. Nowadays, the Oceanic-Climate city enjoys a rich array of attractions that draw people to it every year and, as such, Dresden is a vibrant and busy city, especially during the Summer months. I was fortunate enough to visit this beautiful place four times last decade, with my most recent trip taking place in August last year. I like to think I know Dresden very well and so have compiled a short guide for you all to enjoy and help you on your trip! As always, we have to begin with food…
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Where can I eat in Dresden?
Dresden has a wide-range of culinary experiences just waiting to be tried. In 2019 we decided to take a gamble and try a local seafood restaurant near our hotel in the Aldstadt called Kastenmeiers; to cut a long story short the gamble paid off. The food and service were both excellent and was just what we needed after a busy day trekking through the hot and sticky city (it was mid-thirties on this particular day!!). I opted for a fried tuna steak, and it was definitely a good choice! This place is a little bit pricey, so be prepared to spend a bit more, but as a treat it does not disappoint. A perfect date-night surprise for any men reading! If you are looking to save some pennies, there are also plenty of options for you to try. In Germany you can never go wrong with a Brewhouse, and Brauhaus Waldschloesschen is no exception to this rule. With great prices to compliment a fantastic atmosphere, you can relax in the sunshine whilst tucking into their house-burger, a tarte flambé or even a schnitzel. When we went here, neither of us could resist the flatbreads and a pint, with a pile of chips for company, naturally! If you have a sweet tooth, look no further than the very originally named Ice Cream Factory by the Frauenkirche. Here you have a fantastic view of the reconstructed church and can tuck in to some very delicious ice-cream, all for a very good price. I would get there early though, every single time I have been they run out of the unique flavours by late afternoon. If you get lucky, opt for a fruity sorbet – they will not disappoint! Another place to try to properly treat yourself (go on, you know you want to) is Grand Café Coselpalais. If you go to Germany, it should be illegal not to have a good cake whilst you’re there and this café will set the bar very high for your next visit. You need to opt for a very German cake, something which is simultaneously creamy and chocolatey, and then try a different cake shop within the next hour. I mean, it is only fair to have some sort of comparison, right?!
Where can I grab a drink?
I say this in every German guide, but get to the Brauhaus, people! The beer is cheaper and tastier than what we get in the UK and who does not love their beer being presented in a ginormous stein? If you want a drink with a view you should almost certainly go to Radeberger Spezialausschank where you can find a unique and unfiltered pilser, all whilst looking over the scenic River Elbe. Prices are slightly more expensive to compensate for the location, however I felt it was well worth it, especially when it was so hot last summer! The speciality beer in Dresden is Schwarzbier, which is a darker variety of ale. You can find them pretty much in every brewery and bar in Dresden, so there really is no excuse! Aside from breweries, you could also partake in Dresden’s bustling nightlife and hit up one of their stylish bars. Although we did not visit one the last few times we went, I have been recommended to go to Twist more times than I can count. This extraordinary bar is located on the sixth floor of the Melia Dresden hotel. The tourism industry claims that the cocktails here (yours for a steal of €13) are not just some of the best that Germany has to offer, but beat most of the ones in the whole of Europe too. If that’s not reason enough to visit, I don’t know what is. Another particularly good bar is the Karl May Bar, aimed at those who enjoy the finer things in life. Here you can supposedly choose from over 100 different varieties of whiskey as well as a plethora of different beers and cocktails. In Dresden there really is no excuse not to hit the bars in the City centre and, as most close at around 02:00am, you can certainly make the most of any evening within Dresden.
How to spend your day
Dresden caters to all types of tourist, meaning that there is something for everyone to enjoy on their visit. For the more cultural among you there are tonnes of different buildings, both authentically gothic and reconstructed, which you can tour. One of the most famous places is of course the Frauenkirche, a reconstructed Protestant church which was rebuilt in the last few decades after the original was destroyed in the Dresden bombings of 1945. This church has some of the most beautiful ceiling art of any church on the continent, rivalling those of Italy.
Just a stone throw away is the Zwinger Palace, which was originally part of the great Dresden Fortress; the original outer-wall is still there to this day. After the carpet-bombing of the war, the Zwinger was mostly destroyed, however, alike the Frauenkirche, it has now been expertly reconstructed with most of its original features restored to a former glory. It is always sad thinking about the amount of culture that was lost during the Second World War, especially if you have the chance to look at older paintings of the city.
Sticking with the theme of grandeur, why not take a trip to the impressive Dresden Cathedral or the Dresdner Residenzschloss, the later of which is also home to the famous Green Fault from the Saxony Electors. Both are excellent opportunities to wander into Germany’s impressive historical past and, from a bloggers point of view, allow you to dive head-first into the culture of the country. Should you wish to delve deeper into the past then look no further than the Fürstenzug. This impressive porcelain mural measures 102m in length and displays the 35 rulers of the Wettin House dating all the way back to the 12th Century, detailing the Dukes and Kings of Germany’s past.
The Elbe is also one of the most important parts of Dresden and sets it apart from the majority of other German cities. The locals make full use of it and often hold events along the river. One of the more interesting things to see are the theatre performances that occur along the river which would be something I would recommend to anyone, especially in mid-summer. As well as big shows, you can also find lots to do along the river banks whether it be fishing or a boat ride along the city banks, Dresden has something for everyone. If you can venture out of Dresden, definitely take some time to visit the renowned Sachsische Schweiz, a natural park which has been used as the backdrop for many a romantic artist, such as the painter Caspar David Freidrich of the 19th Century. A trip to this park will transport you away from the busy life of Dresden and to a place of utter tranquillity. It is a place which every traveller to Dresden simply must go to.
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I hope that this quick guide has been helpful and if you need any tips just send me a message – alternatively if you can think of anything I should add to my guide, please let me know in the comments below! Love V x
