# Dresden Less than two hours by train from Berlin: the rebuilt Frauenkirche, the Zwinger, the Green Vault, a paddle steamer on the Elbe and the Neustadt. Best with a night. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/dresden · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dresden is the capital of Saxony, on the banks of the Elbe, and the city that the Electors wanted to turn into the Florence of the north: palaces, baroque churches and first-rate art collections. The bombing of February 1945 razed it; a good part of the old town has since been rebuilt, the Frauenkirche last of all, stone by stone. From Berlin you get there by train in less than two hours: it can be done in a long day, but with a night you will enjoy it far more. ## What to see in Dresden in a day The Frauenkirche. The church with the stone dome, on Neumarkt square. Go in during the open-church slots and climb the dome, €12, by stairs and a spiral ramp to a viewing platform 67 metres up. The Brühl Terrace and the Procession of Princes. The raised promenade above the Elbe and, a step away, the mural of porcelain tiles showing the rulers of Saxony on horseback, on Augustusstraße. The Green Vault or the Zwinger. If you only have time for one museum, choose: the treasure of Augustus the Strong, in its baroque rooms in the Royal Palace (€18, timed entry; closed on Tuesdays), or the Old Masters picture gallery in the Zwinger (closed on Mondays). The Zwinger courtyard can be seen either way. The Elbe. In the afternoon, an hour and a half on a paddle steamer from the Terrassenufer, or cross Augustus Bridge to the Neustadt, the young district, with the Kunsthofpassage and the Pfund dairy. ## How do you get there from Berlin? By train, the usual way: direct trains from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, between an hour and three quarters and two hours, to Dresden main station or Dresden-Neustadt. From the main station to the old town it is 15 minutes on foot along Prager Straße. By car, about 190 kilometres along the A13 motorway, around two hours. In the centre, park in a garage and get around on foot. ## One day or one night? In a day, leaving Berlin early, you can fit in the Frauenkirche, the terrace, a museum and the boat. With a night, you add the other museum, the Neustadt at night and, the next day, Saxon Switzerland: the S1 S-Bahn drops you at Bad Schandau in less than an hour. ## Where to eat and sleep In the old town, the Pulverturm, next to the Frauenkirche, and the Sophienkeller, in the vaults of the Taschenbergpalais, serve Saxon cooking in historic rooms. For a snack, the Pfund dairy. To sleep, the Taschenbergpalais Kempinski, opposite the Royal Palace; the Hostel Mondpalast, in the Neustadt; or, outside the centre, the castle of Schloss Eckberg, above the river. ## Dónde está - Zonas: Christmas markets of Europe, Classical music and opera in Europe - Cerca: Meissen (a 22.3 km), Saxon Switzerland (a 32.5 km), Bohemian Switzerland (a 40.3 km · Czechia), Litoměřice (a 63.7 km · Czechia) ## Qué hacer - **Frauenkirche and the Climb to the Dome** (1 h · All ages; the climb has stairs and a spiral ramp · Desde 12 € per person, the climb to the dome): What it is The Frauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady, is the symbol of Dresden: its stone dome, of more than 12,000 tonnes, is called the stone bell. It was left in ruins in 1945 and rebuilt stone by stone; it was reopened in 2005. Inside it is light, in pastel tones, with galleries on several levels. Visiting it The church is visited during the "open church" slots, which change every day according to services and concerts: check them on its website. The climb to the dome is separate: 174 steps up to 29 metres, with windows that look into the interior, and then a spiral ramp around the dome to the platform, at 67 metres. It costs €12 (€7 reduced, €24 families). In winter it is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 13:00 to 16:00; from March to October, until 18:00. - **The Zwinger and the Old Masters Picture Gallery** (2 h · Adults and teenagers): What it is The Zwinger is a complex of baroque pavilions and galleries around a large courtyard with fountains, in the heart of the old town. In the wing that closes the courtyard on the river side, the Semperbau, is the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, the Old Masters picture gallery, one of the great collections of European painting, reopened after a long restoration. Opening times and tickets The picture gallery is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays. The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen website sells the ticket for €18; children up to school age do not pay and schoolchildren have a reduced rate. It is at Theaterplatz 1, next to the Semper Opera. - **Historic Green Vault in the Royal Palace** (1 h · Adults and teenagers · Desde 18 € per person, with entry time): What it is The Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe) is the treasure chamber of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony, set up in the Royal Palace in the early eighteenth century: baroque rooms full of pieces of gold, silver, ivory, precious stones and mirrors. The Historic one preserves the rooms as he designed them; the New one, in the same palace, displays the pieces in glass cases. Opening times and tickets The Royal Palace is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 and closed on Tuesdays. The Historic Green Vault costs €18 and you enter at a fixed time; places are limited, so buy online. From 27 November to 30 December 2026 it also opens from Friday to Sunday until 18:00. It is at Taschenberg 2. - **Paddle Steamer on the Elbe from the Terrassenufer** (1 h 30 · All ages · Desde 15.5 € per person, one zone): What it is Dresden is best seen from the Elbe: the Brühl Terrace, the Frauenkirche, the cathedral and the Royal Palace in a row above the river. The paddle steamers of the Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt leave from the Terrassenufer landing stages, right below the terrace. How it works Line 72 is the city trip, an hour and a half, daily. If you have more time, line 61 goes up the Elbe to Pillnitz Palace and continues to Bad Schandau, in Saxon Switzerland. Tickets are by zone: from €15.50 for adults and €11.50 for children and students for one zone. You buy them at the ticket office at landing stage 2 or on its website. - **Brühl Terrace and the Procession of Princes** (1 h · All ages · Free): What it is The Brühl Terrace is a raised promenade above the Elbe, on the old town's rampart, called the balcony of Europe: on one side, the river and the boats; on the other, the art academy and the Frauenkirche behind. A step away, on the wall of the Royal Palace's stable courtyard, on Augustusstraße, is the Fürstenzug, the Procession of Princes: a very long mural of Meissen porcelain tiles showing the rulers of Saxony on horseback. How to do it Climb to the terrace by the steps at Schlossplatz, next to the cathedral, and walk east. Return along Augustusstraße to see the procession from end to end. It is free and always open. - **The Neustadt, the Kunsthofpassage and the Pfund Dairy** (2 h · All ages · Free): What it is Across the Elbe, the Äußere Neustadt is Dresden's young quarter: streets of nineteenth-century houses with bars, small shops and street art. Its best-known corner is the Kunsthofpassage, five linked courtyards between Görlitzer Straße 25 and Alaunstraße 70, decorated by artists in 2001; in one, the drainpipes on the facade sound like instruments when it rains. How to do it Cross Augustus Bridge from Schlossplatz and go up Hauptstraße towards Albertplatz; from there, Alaunstraße takes you to the courtyards. Return along Bautzner Straße to go into the Pfund dairy, a shop from 1892 covered in hand-painted tiles, open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00. - **Dresdner Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt** (2 h 30 · All ages · Free entry): Dresden's Striezelmarkt is one of the most traditional Christmas markets in Germany and is set up on the Altmarkt, right in the centre. Its name comes from the Striezel, the sweet Christmas bread that in Dresden is called stollen. Dates and hours The 592nd edition in 2026 runs from Wednesday 25 November to Thursday 24 December. On the first day it opens from 16:30 to 21:00; the rest, from 10:00 to 21:00, and on 24 December, from 10:00 to 14:00. In those weeks, the city also has other markets, such as the Frauenkirche one, a few minutes from the Altmarkt. What you see It advertises the world's largest stepped Erzgebirge pyramid that you can walk into, at 14.61 metres, and the Stollenfest, with a parade of a giant stollen, held on an Advent Saturday; check the exact dates before you go. It is a craft market from the Ore Mountains, with wooden figures, nutcrackers and paper stars, as well as sausages, mulled wine and stollen. How to combine it From the Altmarkt you can walk to the Frauenkirche and the Brühl Terrace; the Zwinger and the Green Vault fill the morning. Save the market for dusk, with the lights on. Getting there and what else to see The Altmarkt is in the historic centre, a short walk from the Frauenkirche and the Neumarkt, so it is easy to reach on foot from almost any hotel in the old town. If you come from elsewhere, Dresden has a central station with trains from Berlin and Leipzig. Allow an hour and a half to two hours at the market and leave the rest of the day for the museums, which in winter are a good alternative to the cold. What to try The dish of the season is stollen, the sweet bread with dried fruit and icing sugar, which in Dresden has its own bakeries. There are also grilled sausages, mulled wine and Advent sweets. Always ask about the origin of what you buy: the Erzgebirge craft stalls are an important part of the market. - **Semperoper Dresden: guided tour of the theatre and performances** (1 h · Adults and teenagers interested in music): The Semperoper, on Theaterplatz, next to the Zwinger, is Dresden's opera house. You can see it from the inside with a guided tour or at a performance. Types of tour According to its official website, the "Highlight" tours are held in German and English almost daily. There is also a short tour of about 30 minutes before the performance, a combined tour that adds the places of Dresden's old town, themed routes, tours for children, students and families, and group tours in many other languages. The page does not publish times, prices or where each tour starts: ask about that or see it when you book. Tickets For tickets and tours, the contact given by the theatre is the phone +49 351 4911 705 and the email bestellung@semperoper.de. The address is Theaterplatz 2, 01067 Dresden (Schinkelwache). Take a look at the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger, a short walk from the opera, to combine the visit with the old town. ## Dónde comer - **Pulverturm an der Frauenkirche** (Restaurant, Dresden, €€). Qué pedir: a Saxon dish from the menu in one of the vaulted rooms - **Sophienkeller im Taschenbergpalais** (Restaurant, Dresden, €€). Qué pedir: a Saxon dish from the menu - **Pfunds Molkerei** (Café, Dresden, €). Qué pedir: a cheese board with the buttermilk and mango shake ## Car-free: Dresden without a Car Dresden can be done entirely without a car: the train from Berlin drops you 15 minutes' walk from the old town, and everything worth seeing is on foot, by tram or by boat. For Saxon Switzerland, the S1 S-Bahn. Presupuesto orientativo: 70–220 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski** (Hotel): A baroque palace in the centre The Taschenbergpalais is the palace built in 1706 next to Dresden's Royal Palace, on Taschenberg street. Today it is a Kempinski five-star hotel, reopened after a careful renovation. You step out of the door and the Green Vault is opposite, the Zwinger to the right and the Semper Opera and the Frauenkirche five minutes away. What it has Renovated rooms and suites, a spa, several restaurants and bars (Amalie, Kastenmeiers, the Alpine Chalet, Das Palais and Bar 1705), a historic courtyard and a monumental staircase. It publishes offers for families with breakfast included. How to get there From Dresden main station, about 15 minutes' walk along Prager Straße or a tram to Postplatz. Without a car you need nothing more: the whole old town is on foot. - **Hostel Mondpalast** (Hostel): A hostel in the bar district The Mondpalast is on Louisenstraße, in the middle of the Äußere Neustadt, the part of Dresden with the most nightlife. Each room is decorated with a zodiac sign and there are rooms of all sizes, from single to ten beds; some private rooms have their own bathroom. The beds are already made when you arrive. What it has Its own bar on the ground floor and breakfast for €12. It is designed for backpackers, families and groups. How to get there The old town is about 20 minutes' walk away, crossing the Elbe by Augustus Bridge, or a few tram stops. Dresden-Neustadt station is about 15 minutes' walk away. ### Servicios - **Dresden Hauptbahnhof, Central Station**: Direct trains from Berlin in less than two hours and the S1 S-Bahn to Saxon Switzerland; 15 minutes' walk from the old town. - **Dresden-Neustadt Station**: Dresden's second station, north of the Elbe, close to the Neustadt and its places to stay; Berlin trains stop here. ## By plane: Fly to Berlin and Take the Train to Dresden For Dresden the usual way is to fly to Berlin, with direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish cities, and continue by train: from Berlin Hauptbahnhof there are direct trains that take between an hour and three quarters and two hours. Dresden has its own airport, but with far fewer connections with Spain. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski** (Hotel): A baroque palace in the centre The Taschenbergpalais is the palace built in 1706 next to Dresden's Royal Palace, on Taschenberg street. Today it is a Kempinski five-star hotel, reopened after a careful renovation. You step out of the door and the Green Vault is opposite, the Zwinger to the right and the Semper Opera and the Frauenkirche five minutes away. What it has Renovated rooms and suites, a spa, several restaurants and bars (Amalie, Kastenmeiers, the Alpine Chalet, Das Palais and Bar 1705), a historic courtyard and a monumental staircase. It publishes offers for families with breakfast included. How to get there From Dresden main station, about 15 minutes' walk along Prager Straße or a tram to Postplatz. Without a car you need nothing more: the whole old town is on foot. - **Hotel Schloss Eckberg** (Hotel): A castle above the river Schloss Eckberg is a small castle with crenellated towers at the top of the Elbe slope, on Bautzner Straße, east of the Neustadt. It has a large park, historic rooms and a terrace with a fountain. It is the quiet and special option: you sleep surrounded by trees with the river below. What it has Rooms in the castle, a restaurant, a terrace and the park for walking. How to get there It is about four kilometres from the old town: by car, or by tram along Bautzner Straße towards the centre. Ask about parking when booking. - **Hostel Mondpalast** (Hostel): A hostel in the bar district The Mondpalast is on Louisenstraße, in the middle of the Äußere Neustadt, the part of Dresden with the most nightlife. Each room is decorated with a zodiac sign and there are rooms of all sizes, from single to ten beds; some private rooms have their own bathroom. The beds are already made when you arrive. What it has Its own bar on the ground floor and breakfast for €12. It is designed for backpackers, families and groups. How to get there The old town is about 20 minutes' walk away, crossing the Elbe by Augustus Bridge, or a few tram stops. Dresden-Neustadt station is about 15 minutes' walk away. ### Servicios - **Dresden Hauptbahnhof, Central Station**: Direct trains from Berlin in less than two hours and the S1 S-Bahn to Saxon Switzerland; 15 minutes' walk from the old town. ## As a family: Dresden with Children Dresden is compact and is covered on foot, with the river always beside you. With children, mix a museum with the boat, the climb up the dome and the Neustadt courtyards. ### What works best The climb up the Frauenkirche dome, with a spiral ramp and a €24 family ticket The paddle steamer on the Elbe, an hour and a half The Brühl Terrace and the procession of princes on horseback The courtyards of the Kunsthofpassage and the Pfund dairy ### Where to sleep Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski, with family offers ### Where to eat Pulverturm, with rooms that catch their attention Pfunds Molkerei, for a shake among tiles ### Keep in mind In the State Art Collections museums, children up to school age do not pay The dome has no lift ### Qué hacer as a family - Frauenkirche and the Climb to the Dome - Paddle Steamer on the Elbe from the Terrassenufer - Brühl Terrace and the Procession of Princes - The Neustadt, the Kunsthofpassage and the Pfund Dairy ## With teenagers: Dresden with Teenagers For teenagers, Dresden tells a story that you can see: a city destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt, a treasure chamber full of gold and an alternative quarter across the river. ### What works best The Green Vault, the treasure of Augustus the Strong The Frauenkirche and its dome The Neustadt, with street art and small shops The Zwinger and its picture gallery ### Where to sleep Hostel Mondpalast, in the Neustadt ### Where to eat Pfunds Molkerei Sophienkeller ### Keep in mind Schoolchildren pay a reduced rate at the state museums The Green Vault closes on Tuesdays and the picture gallery on Mondays ### Qué hacer with teenagers - Frauenkirche and the Climb to the Dome - The Zwinger and the Old Masters Picture Gallery - Historic Green Vault in the Royal Palace - Brühl Terrace and the Procession of Princes - The Neustadt, the Kunsthofpassage and the Pfund Dairy ## Consejos ### Buy timed tickets for the Green Vault Places are limited. ### Check each museum's closing day Mondays for the picture gallery, Tuesdays for the Green Vault. ### Climb the dome on a clear day You can see as far as Saxon Switzerland. ### Stay one night And leave Saxon Switzerland for the next day. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How do I get from Berlin to Dresden? On a direct train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, between an hour and three quarters and two hours. By car, about two hours along the A13. ### Can you see Dresden in a day from Berlin? Yes, if you leave early: Frauenkirche, Brühl Terrace, a museum and the boat. But with a night you will enjoy it far more. ### How much does it cost to climb the Frauenkirche dome? €12, €7 reduced and €24 for families. ### Which day are the museums closed? The Old Masters picture gallery on Mondays; the Royal Palace, with the Green Vault, on Tuesdays. ### How do I get from Dresden to Saxon Switzerland? On the S1 S-Bahn to Bad Schandau or on the steamer along the Elbe.