Overview

Dresden – The City That Won’t Give Up!

There is no dearth of beautiful cities in Germany or ones with storied pasts and a rich cultural heritage but none would be a patch on Dresden, “Florence on the Elbe” of yore and one of the most important cities in the country today. With its status as the ex-capital and royal residence of the kings of Saxony, its beautiful churches, incredible museums and a vibrant culture, Dresden charms the visitor with its enigmatic appeal. The city was founded in 1206 and has stood the test of time to become an industrial, political and cultural center recognized worldwide for its unique combination of beauty and hardiness.

This is the city that was renowned for its cultural and artistic accomplishments and was a center of Romantic Movement between the 18th and 19th centuries. Poets like Goethe, Schiller and Kleist have called it home at different points of time and the city has had its fair share of wars and battles - Dresden was nearly razed to the ground during controversial Allied bombings in WWII but considerable restoration in the recent times has helped it regain its beauty to some extent.

 A Turbulent History

Linear Pottery

Dresden takes its name from “Drezdany” or Slavic for ‘alluvial forest dwellers’ indicating that the city has a Slavic origin. Although this name for the area does not appear before the 12th century archeological evidence suggests that tribes from the Linear Pottery Cultures of the Neolithic Era had been settled here since 7500 BC. While the Drezdany occupied the southern bank of Elbe, another tribe made its home on the northern bank and though their Slavic name is lost in the winds of time, the settlement has been identified as Antiqua Dresdin and later as Altendresden since the mid 14th century.

Dietrich, Margrave of Meissen chose Dresden as his home in the early 13th century and the city later became the political nerve center of the Saxon dukes, electoral princes and kings. One of the most influential of these rulers was King August the Strong of Poland (1670 – 1733) who is credited with transforming this city of forest dwellers into Europe’s artistic and technological epicenter. Freidrich Schiller wrote his “Ode to Joy” which later became the basis of the European Anthem here right after the city had suffered untold destruction in the Seven Years’ War (1756-63).

Dresden has been a city of importance for several centuries - it graced the Kingdom of Saxony as its capital between 1806 and 1918; it was the chief French platform during the Napoleonic Wars and in 1849 the city suffered the ravages of the German Revolutions in 1849. However the city’s indomitable spirit got the better of war and Dresden once again rose from the ashes to become a major economic power in the 19th century with no small contribution from progressive industrialization.

During this time Dresden was a power to reckon with in the fields of motor car production, banking, manufacturing of medical equipment and camera works. The economic empowerment also saw an unprecedented boom in the city’s population which sadly took the hardest blow in the Allied Forces’ controversial bombing in the last weeks of the Second Word War. As one of the pivotal players in the German military industry, Dresden faced two days of incessant bombing (February 13 – 15, 1945) by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force where thousands of people lost their lives, most of the city’s historic center was wiped out and the damage to the city’s collective psyche was immeasurable.

Getting back on its feet and healing its wounds was not easy for the city and its citizens but bit-by-bit they did it together. Restorations have been taking place for a good 5 decades and important landmarks like the Semper Opera and the Zwinger Palace have been fully restored. After the German re-unification in 1990, the city has experienced many more dramatic changes in its cityscape, its culture and economy. In its 800 plus years of existence Dresden has gone to glorious heights and then plunged into darkness only to rise again shining like the Phoenix. Today it is counted as one of the most important cities in Germany, noted for its green quotient, its attractive cityscape and a tourist friendly economy.

When to go

Dresden is located in the central – eastern part of Germany where the cold is able to beat down the best of outdoorsmen. Summers in contrast, are quite warm and humid and therefore a better bet than winters for visitors. So plan your visit between April and November when the temperatures are between a comfortable 20 and 30 degrees and the rain, if any, isn’t enough to keep you indoors. If snowy winters are what you crave then the rest of the months will not leave you complaining and you would also get to see the Dresden Christmas Markets – quite a delight in themselves.

How to arrive

Getting There

Arriving by plane at the Dresden-Klotzsche Airport is the most fuss-free way of getting into Dresden. The airport is located to the north of city and is well serviced by public transport so getting to it and to the city center is not difficult. Try the bus lines 77 and 97 or the tram line 7 if you don’t favor taxis much. The airport is well connected to all major European cities like London, Zurich and Vienna and you can save some money by flying low cost airlines like GermanWings and Air Berlin from Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Munich.

Another option is to drive into the city without fanfare, with comfort and on your own time, stopping to admire every valley, vista, every brook and farmhouse on the way. German highways are noted for their smoothness and the drivers are definitely not Italian or Indian! Travelling by train, however, remains the perennial favorite of most travelers and coming in by train the first of Dresden that you will see would be either one the two train stations – Dresden Neustadt or the Dresden Hauptbahnhof which is the main station. The main station is nearly at the center of the city and most city attractions are within walking distance.

Room with a View

Most cities in Germany are pleasantly affordable and Dresden is no exception. The city museums don’t ask for exorbitant entry prices, the public transport is cheap and there are hundreds of affordable and comfy hotels, most concentrated in the city center.

From quaint little pensions to uber-luxe suites in a 5-star hotel, Dresden has a room for every budget. Although most hotels are located in the city center, other districts also have their fair share and you can choose your place of stay depending on desired proximity to the airport, the need for a quiet, relaxed place or the need for being in the center of all the action!

If you want to be close to the airport, look for a hotel in Klotzsche. The surrounding area offers a good line up of hotels and pensions and one of the best budget choices is the Pension Schmiedeschanke on Boltenhagener Street. The Best Western Airport Hotel Dresden with its 100 rooms and suites is close to the airport and sits well in the luxury section.

Hilton Dresden

If you want to stay in Neustadt try the Holiday Inn Dresden or Park Plaza Hotel Dresden both of which fall an easy distance between the airport and the city-center. The Park Plaza Hotel is especially popular with tourists for its in-house restaurant and pub, comfortable rooms and warm interiors as well as its proximity to several city attractions. Other good options in the area are: Hotel Ingeburg, the Astron Hotel Dresden and the Hotel Tulip Inn.

Neustadt is where all the action happens in the city. Camping here means being close to the best of the city’s nightlife spots and shopping areas as well lots of great restaurants and pubs. That is why you would find the city’s best and most expensive hotels here. However, there is hope for the budget traveler too and more affordable lodgings can be found in City Oase (€89) or Hotel-Pension Ermitage. For those who would willingly give up a few creature comforts for the love of travel, Neustadt offers Hotel Die Boofe (€46) and Hostel Mondpalast (€74).

One of the best hotels to stay in Dresden is the Bulow Residenz Hotel Dresden (€209). With well appointed rooms, discreet service and an enchanting ambience this hotel gets the thumbs up from a big chunk of the tourist traffic. Bulow Residenz is expensive but when you throw in the free breakfast and the utter pleasant surprise of a ‘free’ well stocked mini bar it all becomes good.

If you like a little history in your accommodation then Hotel Martha-Hospiz is the place to try. Widely recognized as the oldest hotel in Dresden, this used to be a hospice and even today makes special arrangements for disabled people. The rooms are good, the service is excellent and the place has a relaxed aura about it. While you are here check out the “Potato Cellar’ downstairs for some mean treats all made with potato! Other hotels in Neustadt are Hotel Bayerischer Hof Dresden, Hotel am Terrassenufer and the Westin Bellevue Dresden.

Fancy sleeping in the heart of the city right next to Frauenkirche? Pick the Dresden Hilton for the striking views of the city it affords, for its world class service, the spa with an outdoor Jacuzzi and the hotel’s great bars and restaurants that number to several.

Also consider the art’otel – a very comfortable property right next to the Zwinger. For those for whom nothing less than Grand would do, Dresden offers the Kempinski Taschenbergpalais (above) – the former residence of the Countess Cosel – the celebrated mistress of Augustus the Strong. Another great luxury hotel in the area is the Gewandhaus Hotel Dresden at Pirnaische Square, a popular choice for its well appointed Biedermeier style rooms and suites. This centrally located hotel started out life in 1770 as a warehouse and was reduced to rubble in the WWII bombings. It was rebuilt in the 1960s as a hotel and has since then gained a reputation for being one of the finest hotels in Dresden. Closer to the shopping district you would hotels like the Ibis Dresden and the Hotel Mercure Newa Dresden, both of which pride themselves on quality services, location and comfortable rooms.

If you want to stay in a quieter area yet not too far away from the city center then the Loschwitz and White Stark districts would be perfect for you where you can find quality accommodation like Pension Andreas and the Hotel Am Blauen Wunder. Other options in this area include Gastehaus Loschwitz, Pension Landhaus Maria and Hotel Schone Aussicht which is a beautiful property hemmed to the banks of the river Elbe. Also try booking a room at Hotel Villa Emma, the Pension Arcade or Hotel-Pension Zu den Linden, all of which ensure you get the most impressive views of the city and the Elbe.

If money is not an object, make your holiday extra special by staying at the Hotel Schloss Eckberg, a centuries old manor house converted into a hotel. You may book a room at either the main castle or the Cavalier’s House for rates ranging from € 103 to € 305. Rooms in the Castle are each individually designed and furnished with antiques along with all the modern amenities. The Cavalier’s House is set amid the palace grounds and features 65 comfortable rooms each well appointed and well stocked.

Getting About

Dresden is not a small city though most attractions are not too far away from each other. So, if you can club sights together, walking around the city can be pleasurable. However, most visitors choose the city’s excellent public transport to get them around. The city is serviced by 12 tram routes and 27 bus routes and the frequencies are good. Tickets and maps can be bought at most rail and bus stations and travelling around is safe.

Another great way of getting around the city is by funiculars. One of the most accessible and widely used funiculars is the Standselbahn which links Loschwitz with Weisser Hirsch. The other funicular good for tourists is the Schwebebahn which connects Loschwitz with Oberloschwitz. Get a map of the city, buy yourself a ticket and enjoy the ride!

You could also use one of the 5 frequent run ferries run by Dresdner Verkhrsbetriebe – the company responsible for all public transport in the city – to get around. Cycling is popular in Dresden, though you need to be in shape! Although there are separate lanes for cyclists one of the most enjoyable rides is on the Elbe Cycle Path. You can hire bicycles at the Hauptbahnoff and Neustadt stations for approximately € 7 a day. Also try here and here for renting a bike. Using taxis is usually restricted to airport travel or if you are staying too far from the city center but we wouldn’t recommend renting a car as the city is quite congested.

Restaurants

Hunger Pangs

Although you can always find the ubiquitous ‘fast food chains’ everywhere in Dresden make your travel experience more wholesome by trying out the traditional Saxony cuisine of sour roast, potato soup, Christmas stollen with a gazillion beers or dishes like the Leipziger Allerlei. The Saxon cuisine is a hearty one with a lot of fresh vegetables grown in the Elbe valley thrown in. On a typical menu you would encounter delicious dishes made with Kohlrabi, cucumber, lettuce, leeks, white and red cabbages as well as morels, asparagus and carrots.

Dresdners revel in their coffee and their Breakfast Culture and you can find a great cup of coffee at any time of the day – Iced coffee with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, black forest coffee, spiced coffee and Dithmarsch coffee which is a seemingly strange combination of coffee with egg yolk, rum and cream seem to be the hot favorites.

Some of the best restaurants are located in Altstadt - the historic core of the city where traditional Saxon cuisine is readily available for all budgets. Some of the areas to scope out are Theaterplatz, the area along the banks of the River Elbe and the Muenzgasse lane the last of which holds delicious rewards for tireless seekers. The Neustadt district is the hipper, trendier area dotted with late-night cafes and pubs mostly concentrated around Louisenstrasse and Alaunstrasse. Also look for some of the best eateries in the city in and around Innere Neustadt but if you are looking for budget meals try the hundreds of small cafes and restaurants enveloping the city's university campus.

A very classy place to celebrate your holiday in is Ristorante Rossini – the Italian restaurant at the Dresden Hilton. Fire your taste buds with chicken – liver pate and carpaccio of swordfish marinated in Marsala vinaigrette and top it up with a cassata in this elegant restaurant. More Italian food can be found at Fisch-Galerie on Maxstrasse. Here you can enjoy salmon and crab entrees, main dishes consisting of the day’s catch, all with a side of live jazz. In the same area you will find the Crepe Galerie, history-doused Kleppereck and the Australian style Ayers Rock. Ayers Rock, located on Munzgasse is an elegant yet inexpensive place patronized by locals and tourists alike for its 300 plus cocktails and some robust Australian dishes like grilled veal shank and roebuck steak with mushrooms.

Am Glacis on Glacistrasse is a lovely place great for sampling some delicious, tummy-bursting Saxon favorites like Radeberger beer meat and a great wine list. For more choices in Saxon/German cuisines try Brauhaus Watzke on Kotzschenbroder – one of the most famous beer gardens in the city, perennially crowded for its warm ambience, a new beer brewed and served in the restaurant each month and a hearty menu that includes goodies like Meltzer Schnitzel and beef stewed in beer. Also try Brauhaus am Waldschlosschen in Neustadt where you would always find diners literally bouncing off the walls tasting roast pork shank, schnitzels, soups and wursts with some serious beer. The place also has some live music and if the weather permits you could enjoy all of the above on the restaurant’s expansive garden.

Other restaurants that fall in the fine dining category are Luisenhof on Bergbahnstrasse and Opernrestaurant at the Opera House – both famous for Saxon cuisine, Kugelgenhaus on Hauptstrasse and Gruner Baum on An Der Frauenkirche.

Dresden offers more than upmarket restaurant – a big relief for tourists who usually want the best experience in the least amount of money. For this group the city has gems like Café Aha, Café Borse, Busmann’s Brazil and BrennNessel. Another place for good eats at low prices is Sophienkeller im Taschenbergpalais where you can sample the abundant Saxon cuisine; do try the Potato soup with fried Bockwurst and the wine flavored cabbage here.

Dresden After Dark

Dresden is the cultural epicenter of Saxony and brimming over with nightlife options. The variety of entertainment options ranges from performing arts and opera to the usual mix of bars, pubs and dance clubs. So whatever is on your mind – a quiet evening with a glass of wine, a classical concert or dancing till breakfast, you will find a home in Dresden-

The Performing Arts

Spend the evening listening to classical music at the Semperoper – one of the most exquisite opera houses in Europe and an enduring symbol of the city. Do book in advance as tickets are tough to get. Another option is the Dresden Philharmonic which appears at the Kulturpalast in the Altmarkt. Try your luck and you may catch a Concert or a ballet recital here. For theatre lovers there is Schauspielhaus on Postplatz where plays by Goethe, Schiller, and Shakespeare are performed regularly. For a family theater experience, check out Theater Junge Generation on Meissner Landstrasse where you would some interesting modern interpretations of everything from Shakespeare to popular fairy tales.

Live Music

Dresden is a great place to be in, if you adore live music. The whole experience of feeling the beat right there is fabulous and one of the top places to get it on is Blue Note on Gorlitzerstrasse. This trendy and very exclusive club regales patrons with some smooth jazz and a well stocked bar. Another venue with similar coordinates is the Club Passage where jazz is regularly shaken up with folk music; add to that affordable and plentiful drinks and you have a winner.


Munzgasse is one of the hottest places in the city and the presence of Dampf Schiff adds to its snazzy quotient. The place hosts regular live music nights with a new set of performers every night, the cocktails are good and the crowd is heavy – in all the makings of a memorable evening. Last but not the least Projekttheater Dresden on Louisenstrasse a publicly funded organization, often plays live jazz to an appreciative audience who bear the lack of alcohol with good music.

Bars

Any place that sells cheap alcohol is bound to be popular with students, young travelers and their ilk and Die 100 on Alaunstrasse is popular. Set in a cellar under a vaulted arch, the place brims with students and artists and is open till the wee hours – always a plus. Las Tapas on Munzgasse mimics an Iberian tasca or a wine tavern and is haunted for its stand up bar, its Spanish-style entrees and, well, cheap alcohol! For cocktails, beer and a good time try Bar Peanuts at the corner of the Hilton, for a convivial atmosphere and a good selection of drinks try Blumenau at Louisenstrasse and for a pre-dinner cocktail head to Café Europa on Konigsbruckerstrasse.

20 and 30 somethings swear by MonaLisa on Louisenstrasse for its chic-ness mixed with hipness. The full menu is flanked by plenty of beers and a bartender who can mix you sheer happiness, MonaLisa is Mexican themed and usually bursting at the seams. A few blocks before Mona Lisa is Café Hieronymous patronized by locals and tourists alike for great local beer and a relaxed setting.

A popular evening entertainment activity for young travelers is bar chasing and the perfect place to do that is the historic district of Kunsthof where about 30 bars jostle for space and patrons with hip cafes, art galleries and restaurants. Figure our where El Perro is and don’t leave till you are very happy or very drunk… or both!

Clubs

Two of the most popular dance clubs recommended by every Dresdner are DownTown and Groove Station located conveniently next to each other at Katharinenstrasse and patrons usually spill over from one to the other. Joie de vivre is rampant at either place, music is loud and beer is consumed like it was the last day on Earth. Fridays and Saturdays are the best days to go as the music and the crowds swaying to it reaches frenzy and possibilities abound. Monday is gay and lesbian night and Sundays the music slows down appropriate enough for some dinner and saner dancing.

A Dresden Day

Two museums, two churches, one square, loads of shopping and relaxing with some classical music at the Semperoper – that would be the best way to spend a day in Dresden. Or you could pack a picnic head to the Grosser Garten and couch it out for the whole day with perhaps a little trip to the Botanical Gardens. The second one would rob you of the pleasures of visiting the Zwinger though and we won’t have that!

So the best start for a top day in Dresden would be to choose a tour of the Zwinger for the morning where you can start by gawking at the magnificent inner courtyard once used for court festivities and fireworks during the reign of Augustus the Strong. Next, head to the Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister to soak in the works of Raphael, Rubens and Canaletto and focus on Raphael’s ‘Sistine Madonna’ and Titian’s ‘The Tribute Money’ before moving on to the Rustkammer which displays the world’s largest collection of ceremonial weapons, armors and historical textiles – makes for an interesting hour. Skip the rest of the museums in favor of a pre-lunch visit to the Frauenkirche which is an amazing symbol of Dresden’s never say die spirit. Soak in the sights and sounds and focus on the beautiful drawings on the roof before stepping out for some shopping.

Albertplatz

Since we are talking just one day here, it would be prudent to choose the Altmarktgalerie Mall where you can find everything from Dresden porcelain objects to antiques and handcrafted items – saves you time and lets you get a good feel of the markets in the city. If this isn’t enough you would at the most have time to visit Konigstrasse and browse quickly through its exclusive stores and boutiques; hope to find Dresden china and handmade gifts. Grab a quick lunch at one of the gazillion eateries aptly placed in Neustadt before heading to the close by Albertplatz where you can do some people watching on the grand square with its two magnificent fountains. After you’ve rested a little take a peek in the Erich Kastner Museum, an interesting mobile interactive micro museum.

Return to hotel, deposit shopping bags, work the feet up again because this is Dresden and the evening has just begun. Dress up in your best and catch a few pre-dinner cocktails at Café Europa, people watch and see how typical Dresdners wind down before setting off to Ristorante Rossini for a rich evening of dinner and conversations. Isn’t that a day well spent?

Things to do

Discover Dresden

Zwinger in 1900s

One of the most popular attractions in Dresden is the iconic Zwinger – a resplendent baroque building which was the combined vision of the architect Matthaus Poppelmann and the sculptor Balthasar Permoser. This complex of pavilions and galleries was originally meant to be a place of recreation and some intense partying for the royal Kings of Saxony. Constructed from 1710 to 1732, the building consists of six pavilions connected by impressive galleries. Of special note are the Rampart Pavilion and the Glockspiel Pavilion which houses the carillon of 40 Meissen porcelain bells.

The central courtyard buzzes with visitors all transfixed by the beauty of the many fountains that punctuate it. The Zwinger houses six museums and the ones to focus on are – Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister, home to Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and works by masters like Titian and Vermeer; the Rustkammer- which houses a collection of weapons from the 15th and 18th century including many weapons used by Saxon Rulers and the Porzellansammlung – which displays a splendid collection of Meissen porcelain classics.

Frauenkirche is one of the most potent symbols of a city that refuses to be bogged down by war. The domed building illuminated the city’s skyline for two hundred years before the two fateful nights of Allied bombings in February 1945 when it was razed to the ground. After the reunification of Germany, reconstruction work began and was completed in 2006 – a proud example of the city’s vibrant spirit.

The original church was designed by George Bahr and was completed in 1734 and though the new version is as close a replica as possible, it does not bear the ravages of time it otherwise would have. One of the most popular sights in the city Frauenkirche attracts millions of tourists every year who come to see its beautiful altar, reassembled from thousands of fragments, the imposing interiors and for climbing up the great dome known as the ‘stone bell’ for spectacular views of the city.

 In the top three attractions you would also include Residenzschloss – The Royal Dresden Palace which was built in 1530 by George the Bearded, the Duke of Saxony. The palace initially served as the royal quarters of the Wettin family and then as the seat of government of the later Saxon rulers. The building is impressive with its renaissance style, although the present form is a reconstruction – the original having been destroyed in ’45. Residenzschloss is now a museum complex most famous for the Grunes Gewolbe or Green Vaults – a dazzling collection of jewelry, ivory chests, intricate carvings and porcelain.

The Semperoper is perhaps the single largest contributor to Dresden’s image as a center of art and culture and of an unbeatable spirit. Originally designed by Gottfried Semper and destroyed twice, the Semperoper also faced extensive damage in a flood but was reconstructed again and again to delight the citizens of Dresden with some of the best performances by masters like Richard Strauss. Built in the neo-Renaissance style, Semperoper is one of the most stunning opera houses in Europe and is located on Theatreplatz behind the magnificent Zwinger Palace.  

Dresden also has a wealth of beautiful churches and one of the most visited is the KatholischeHofkirche or the Catholic Court Church. Like most other buildings in the historic core of the city, the Katholische Hofkirche on Schlossplatz was also destroyed in WWII and later reconstructed. The largest church in Saxony, it was built by Frederick Augustus II between 1733 and 1763. The church's facade is impressive with biblical and historical figures etched in the baroque style and the interiors are home to a crypt with the tombs of 49 rulers of Saxony and a box allegedly containing the heart of August the Strong. Don’t miss the pulpit which was designed by Balthasar Permoser – the royal sculptor and an 18th-century church organ which still works!

A great place to rest your feet after intense sight seeing is the Grosser Garten – Dresden’s most popular green lung. Located in the southern part of Altstadt the park which was originally built in 1670 contains a zoo and a botanical garden and is the perfect family hangout. Don’t leave without visiting the Lustschloss – the pleasure palace that dominates the center of the garden.

Once you’ve seen it you will count the Deutsches Hygiene Museum on Lingnerplatz among all of the strangest museums in the world. Even though the name doesn’t sound too interesting, the museum’s exhibits on the human body based on anatomy, social, cultural and historical disciplines and scientific research are enigmatic.

The displays take you on a journey of human experience from the basics like eating and drinking to dying and sexuality – the last one attracting considerable audience! Interesting media installations, hands-on exhibits and historical objects all enthrall visitors by depicting a wide range of cultural, social and scientific issues facing mankind today. Don’t leave without seeing the ‘Transparent Woman’ – an exhibit that has been the subject of much admiration since the 1930s.

Art lovers must visit the Albertinum – an imposing structure that is home to many of the city’s treasures. It is home to Galerie Neue Meister which displays works by Impressionist masters from the 18th and 20th centuries and sculptures from Egypt and Western Asia. The Pillnitz Castle & Park complex is one of the finest palace complexes in Germany and was created during the reign of Augustus the Strong. Visit the Wasserpalais, hemmed to the banks of Elbe and the Bergpalais – makes for a great family outing.

Other places of interest in the city include: Albertplatz for its wide spaces and the two magnificent fountains as well as the interactive Erich Kastner Museum, Glaserne Manufaktur, Hausmannsturm, Hofkirche and Japanisches Palais.

Retail Therapy

When you go out shopping one of the first things you will notice is the abundance of antiques dealers in the city. With the war having ravaged most of the city, salvaged items carry a lot of weight and you can find some beautiful pieces of furniture and jewelry. So mark that on top of your shopping list when you start off. One of the best and most convenient antique shops in the city is Antikitaten at the Kempinski Hotel Taschenbergpalais. Here you can find a large variety of pieces corresponding to different styles and the helpful staff would assist you in locating what you can’t immediately find.

Also try Antikitaten und Kunst on Obergraben; a place highly recommended by antique-savvy Dresdners. The array of Objects’d Art range from different periods and styles and make great gifts. You may also find Untiquitaten on Hauptstrasse a good place to shop for antiques as it is closer to the main shopping area in the city. Look for porcelains, furniture and jewelry or ask Maritta Schuster – the owner for a particular piece you may be looking for.

 Prager Strasse

Dresden's main shopping streets are – Prager Strasse, Altmarkt and Wilsdruffer Strasse and store types range from department stores to large fashion chains. Another good place to buy gifts with least effort is the Altmarktgalerie Mall where over 100 shops sell everything from fabrics, handicrafts and books to antiques and clothes. On Konigstrasse in Neustadt you can find exclusive stores and quaint little boutiques for fashion clothing and accessories.

Konigstrasse is known for its exceptional collection of innovative craft shops, antique stores, especially antique Dresden China. Walk along the nearby streets - Heinrichstrasse, Obergraben and Rahnitzgasse to find some hidden gems. Another good place to buy Dresden porcelain is Wehsener Porzellan on Dohnaerstrasse where you will find the most amazing collection of hand painted objects.

One of the best places to shop in Dresden is Prager Strasse where large department stores loom large and sell just about everything you could think of including popular international clothing labels, gift items and lifestyle goods. The Altmarkt area is punctuated with hundreds of small stores where you can find big ticket labels jostling for space with locally manufactured stuff. While in Altmarkt remember to check out the Christmas Striezelmarkt (Above) in front of Kreuzkirche for Christmas goodies and decorations. 

You can’t call yourself a serious shopped if you don’t pay a visit to Pfunds Molkerei – celebrated as 'the world's most beautiful dairy shop'. The hand painted tiles and enameled sculptured pieces are irresistible. Das Internationale Buch on Kreuzstrasse is the recommended store for your ‘book-fix’ and sells everything from fiction to ‘Windows for Dummies’!

Tips

Thus Spake the Dresdner!

Castle of Moritzburg

• Visit the Saurier Park – a rather kitschy 1980s presentation of dinosaurs, always a great hit with kids. Don’t leave without getting lost in the adjacent Hedge Maze!

• One little known attraction in the city actually lies about 15 minutes north of it – the Castle of Moritzburg. Originally built in the 16th century it was later converted into a hunting lodge and today houses a small but very interesting museum.

• Spend a day hiking at the Sachsische Schweiz or Saxony’s Switzerland – the region’s renowned national park – it doesn’t get closer to nature than this!

• Ever heard of the Leonhardi Museum? We bet you haven’t – it is a small museum located in Dresden- Loschwitz dedicated to Eduard Leonhardi and filled with interesting works of art

 Tips for all

General

• German is the Lingua France in Dresden but most people can speak some English. But if you tried a little bit of German, however abominable it is, the gesture will be appreciated and help would be more forthcoming.

• Dresden is a very safe city and you can travel around without fear of mugging. However, pick-pocketing in tourist-intensive areas is another matter!

• Each spring a small flood situation happens on the Elbe and parts of the old town may become inaccessible, so exercise caution during these times

• Be careful around the main station area and Konigstrasse area during late nights as the place attracts some not so nice residents at that time

Families

• Planning a longish family trip to Dresden? Rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel – try Hotel Martha-Hospiz, Apart Hotel Akzent

• A great family activity, fun for both kids and adults is spending a day at the Dresden Zoo. One of the oldest in the country, the Dresden Zoo is located on Tiergartenstrasse and is home to hundreds of species of interesting animals from every part of the world.

Couples

• Visit the Konigstein Fortress and get to the walls of the fortress from where you can see the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This is one of the most romantic spots in the city

• Book tee times for two on the well manicured greens of the Golfclub Dresden Ullersdorf and swing away together

ListeningPost

The NY Times suggests skipping the biggies in favor of the Romantik Hotel Pattis

About.com recommends soaking in the Dresden Stollenfest which takes place in December

Fodor’s suggests eating at the Erlebnis Restaurants where you get to eat the food of a specific historical era, in an ambience resonating that period and in a dress that would draw you ‘The Look’ on the streets!

Frommers’ recommends getting the Dresden City-Card which will shoot your wallet for about € 21 but get you unlimited access to all public transport for a period of 48 hours…some saving this!