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A paddle steamer moored on the Elbe opposite Dresden's old townJorge Royan · CC BY-SA 3.0

What to do · Dresden

Paddle Steamer on the Elbe from the Terrassenufer

Boat · 1 h 30 · From €15.50 · The old town from the river on a paddle steamer, and a route to Pillnitz and Saxon Switzerland

InformationFrom €15 per person, one zone
From
€15 per person, one zone
Duration
1 h 30
Season
All year, with fewer departures in winter
Who it's for
All ages

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.

Tips

  • Combine it with the Brühl Terrace The landing stage is right below.
  • For Saxon Switzerland, come back by train The S1 line returns to Dresden faster than the boat downriver.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Elbe boat cost?

From €15.50 for adults for one zone; the city route lasts an hour and a half.

Does it run in winter?

Yes, all year, with winter timetables.

Can you go by boat to Pillnitz?

Yes, on line 61.

With young childrenAs a family

Who runs it

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

Vaulted room with a round table and red chairs© Pulverturm an der Frauenkirche

Pulverturm an der Frauenkirche

Restaurant · Dresden · €€€€

What to order: a Saxon dish from the menu in one of the vaulted rooms

The cheese counter between walls of painted tiles© Pfunds Molkerei

Pfunds Molkerei

Café · Dresden · €€€€

What to order: a cheese board with the buttermilk and mango shake

To stay nearby

Suite with a sitting room, glass doors and a bed at the back© Hotel Taschenbergpalais KempinskiHotel

Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski

Five stars · Baroque palace opposite the Royal Palace · Spa · Restaurants and bar

Why we like it: Five stars in the baroque Taschenberg palace, opposite the Royal Palace and a step from the Zwinger, reopened after a renovation, with a spa and several restaurants.

Room with bunk beds and a bed, wooden floor and yellow walls© Hostel MondpalastHostel

Hostel Mondpalast

In the Neustadt · From single to ten beds · Own bar · For backpackers and families

Why we like it: A hostel in the Neustadt, Dresden's bar district, with rooms for one to ten beds decorated with zodiac signs, its own bar and made beds.

Eckberg Castle among the trees of its park, from the air© Hotel Schloss EckbergHotel

Hotel Schloss Eckberg

Castle above the Elbe · Park and terrace · Restaurant · Car or tram to the centre

Why we like it: A hotel in a small neo-Gothic castle on the Elbe slope, with a park, a terrace and a restaurant, on the outskirts of the Neustadt.

Itineraries

Features in these plans