Dresden: The Florence of the Elbe River

Hot Spots, Nightlife, Museums, and Hostels in Dresden

Dresden is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany known as the 'Florence on the Elbe'. This Baroque city with all its adorable churches and palaces, parks and sites is an extraordinary cultural and artistic example of the Romantic movement and home to famous German poets such as Goethe, Schiller, Kleist or Novalis.

How to Get to Dresden

It is not so easy to find a cheap flight to Dresden as only a few low cost airlines offer service to Dresden. Mostly tourists fly to Berlin or Frankfurt and than have to take a train (the Deutsche Bahn offers train tickets from 29€). Try to use a typical German method to travel inexpensively between cities and share a car with somebody who is already going to your destination! Germany has a site for hitching a ride and it is a safe and cheap way to travel inside Germany.

What to See in Dresden

During World War II, the city was bombarded and the historical center of Dresden was completely destroyed. After the reconstruction, Dresden became a large socialist city during the GDR years, Dresden kept its vibrant and beautiful spirit. Discover the history of architecture in Dresden by visiting Dresden Zwinger (a major example of German baroque architecture), Fauenkirche, Semper Opera and the Royal Palace. You definitely have to visit the Old Masters Gallery, one of the most extensive collections of 15th to 18th century European paintings and see, for example, Raphael's Sistine Madonna, the New Master's Gallery (showcasing 19th and 20th century painters and modern art), and The Green Vault, the largest historical jewelery treasure in Europe.

Where to Eat in Dresden

Dresden offers plenty of lovely restaurants, cafés and bars. For a special lunch we recommend Carolaschlösschen (Queralle, 7) with two great restaurants with terraces and a beer garden right next to the lake. During the summer you can order a picnic basket with cheese, wine and sweets and enjoy the natural landscapes of Dresden. For an exotic dinner go to Mamma Africa (Walgässchen, 2). It is a first-class restaurant decorated with palms trees and the menu has some exotic dishes like crocodile steak.

Enjoy views of the Elbe river and the Blue Wonder Bridge from restaurant Schillergarten (Schillerplatz 9), the oldest restaurant in the city. You can feast on hearty dishes from Saxony like goulash, red cabbage, roasted pork with crust and “spätzle” on a terrace overlooking the river drinking good home-made beer!

Nightlife in Dresden

Night Life for young people from Dresden is concentrated in Neustadt, which is divided into two districts : the upscale, more polished Inner Neustadt and the grittier, more bohemian Outer Neustadt, which is filled with bars and clubs. Particularly in the summer it is perfect place to sit out drinking and chatting. This district is colourful and chill. Plus, there are three cinemas, numerous theatres, clubs and galleries.

The real bar and restaurants area is Dresden Neustadt which is located on the right side of the river. They have more than 130 bars, clubs and restaurants are in this quarter. Here you will find international cuisine, cheap bistros and restaurants and some bars with a more modern German cuisine.

For the party area, go to Metronom (Luisendtr. 55) and enjoy refined parties in Dresden Neustadt with a dance area and billiards lounge. Washroom is famous for a cool party,too, It is a club in the old industry hall with the best barkeepers in town and lots of good party sounds. You will find it in Hermann-Mnde Str. 1

Where to Stay in Dresden

HostelsClub offers budget hotels and youth hostels in Dresden for every taste and budget. Close to the train station you will find the Hostel A&O Dresden Hauptbahnhof which is famous for their fabulous service. Enjoy their “Skybar” with a spacious roof terrace and beer garden in the summer!

Hostel Mondpalast offers beds from 15€ and is located right in the young and groovy bar hopping area, Dresden-Neustadt. You can choose between dorms and en-suite rooms with a balcony and TV.

Youth Hostel DRESDEN 'Jugendgästehaus' is perfect for families and small groups. Youth hostel Dresden is in a central but quiet place, located near the Elbe river.

For a romantic weekend in Dresden we recommend Villa Seraphinum Dresden. It is a fantastic hotel situated in an 200+-year-old villa with a huge garden close to the Baroque Großer Garten park.

When to Travel to Dresden

Dresden has many amazing events, parties and festivals. At the end of May and early June you can enjoy numerous concerts during the Dresden Music Festival. Then most popular festival in the city is The Elbhangfest Festivaland it takes place on the last weekend in June between Loschwitz and Pillnitz with 200 different events and a variety of food and drinks. Jazz lovers will enjoy the oldest jazz festival and the second-largest in the world - the International Dixieland Festival. It is always in the middle of May and the Spring comes to Dresden with swinging beats. Life continues to be played out and celebrated on the streets here, especially during the neighbourhood festival, the Colourful Republic of the Neustadt or BRN, in the middle of June. Finally, in the winter Dresden gets filled with great festive lights and colors from numerous Christmas markets in the city, where you can enjoy tasty food and hot glint wine.

For a Special View of Dresden

Visit Asisi Panometer Dresden (Gasanstaltstraße 8b) and enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the city on the river Elbe produced by artist Yadegar Asisi. It will be a particularly unique experience: it really feels like being on the tower of the Catholic Court Church built in 1756. It is not only about seeing the city, but you will even be able to hear the city with all the typical noises like cars driving, children playing, and bells from churches ringing. It is a very special gallery and you absolutely have to visit it!

Are you intrigued yet? Well, book your hostel in Dresden today!