# Two nights in Dresden from Berlin: the old town, the Neustadt and the Elbe Less than two hours by train from Berlin: the Frauenkirche dome, the Green Vault and the Zwinger, an afternoon in the Neustadt, a steamer on the Elbe and, if you like, Saxon Switzerland. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/dresden/itineraries/two-nights-in-dresden-from-berlin · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dónde: Dresden Dresden is less than two hours by train from Berlin: you can see it in a day, but two nights change it completely. You see the Frauenkirche lit up, enter the two big museums without rushing, spend an afternoon in the Neustadt, the young district across the Elbe, and on Sunday you board a paddle steamer. If you have energy to spare, Saxon Switzerland, with its sandstone towers, is less than an hour away by S-Bahn. ## How do you get there? By direct train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, between an hour and three quarters and two hours. Get off at Dresden-Neustadt if you are sleeping north of the river, or at the main station if you are sleeping in the old town. By car it is about 190 km on the A13, about two hours, but in Dresden the car is unnecessary. From Spain, you fly to Berlin and continue by train. ## What do you pay for and what is free? WhatPriceTime Climb to the Frauenkirche dome€12, families €241 h Historic Green Vault€18, timed1 h Old Masters Picture Gallery€18 on the State Art Collections website2 h Steamer on the Elbe, line 72From €15.501 h 30 Brühl Terrace, Procession of Princes, NeustadtFree3 h ## Where to sleep If you want the centre on your doorstep, the Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski, a Baroque palace opposite the Royal Palace. For spending little and going out at night, the Hostel Mondpalast, in the Neustadt. For something special and quiet, the castle of Schloss Eckberg, above the river, about four kilometres away. ## And if you change Sunday Swap the Zwinger and the boat for Saxon Switzerland: the S-Bahn S1 from the main station drops you at Rathen or Bad Schandau in under an hour, with the sandstone towers and viewpoints over the Elbe. Steamer line 61 also reaches Bad Schandau, more slowly. ## El plan ### Friday · 19:30 · Arrival and the Frauenkirche at night Drop your case and walk over to Neumarkt square: the illuminated Frauenkirche is the first photo. Dinner at the Pulverturm, in the vaults next door, which on Friday is open until midnight. ### Saturday · 10:00 · The Frauenkirche dome 174 steps and a spiral ramp up to the viewpoint, at 67 metres, to see the city and, if it is clear, Saxon Switzerland. ### Saturday · 11:30 · Green Vault The treasure of Augustus the Strong in the Royal Palace, with a time slot bought online. Afterwards, the Brühl Terrace and the Procession of Princes on Augustusstraße. ### Saturday · 13:30 · Lunch at the Sophienkeller In the vaults of the Taschenbergpalais, opposite the Royal Palace. Saxon cooking. ### Saturday · 15:30 · The Neustadt Cross the Augustus Bridge, climb to Albertplatz and wander along Alaunstraße to the courtyards of the Kunsthofpassage. For a snack, the Pfund dairy, covered in painted tiles, is open on Saturday until 18:00. Dinner in the Neustadt, which at night is the liveliest district. ### Sunday · 10:00 · The Zwinger and its picture gallery The Baroque courtyard and, in the Semperbau, the Old Masters. Two hours. ### Sunday · 13:00 · Lunch and a steamer on the Elbe Eat in the old town and go down to the Terrassenufer: line 72 tours the city from the river in an hour and a half. ### Sunday · 16:30 · Back to Berlin Train from the main station or from Dresden-Neustadt. ## Un consejo más Buy the timed Green Vault ticket online beforehand: it is the only thing that sells out. ## Cuándo no ir Monday-to-Tuesday getaways: the picture gallery is closed on Monday and the Green Vault on Tuesday. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take from Berlin to Dresden? Between an hour and three quarters and two hours by direct train; about two hours by car on the A13. ### Do I need to book anything? The Green Vault, with a time slot. The rest is bought on arrival. ### Is it worth sleeping in Dresden? Yes: you see the city lit up, enter the two big museums unhurried and have an afternoon for the Neustadt. ### Can I add Saxon Switzerland? Yes, by changing Sunday: the S-Bahn S1 gets there in under an hour. ## Dónde dormir without a car - **Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski**: 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**: 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. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski**: 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**: 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**: 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.