Dresden is the capital of Germany’s Saxony region. I initially had an interest in visiting because of the famous Basteibrücke, of course, but also because of Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut is one of my favorite authors and Slaughterhouse-Five is one of my all-time favorite books. While being held as a prisoner of war, Vonnegut survived the 1945 Allied Bombing of Dresden that killed around 25,000 people. He used this experience as a foundation for Slaughterhouse-Five. To anyone that hasn’t read it, read it. Now, as it was almost bombed into ruins during World War II, the city has been rebuilt and beautifully balances the modern and the historic. It has many neighborhoods to explore, so let’s dive into it.

I am a backpacker and budget traveler, so the itinerary is budget-friendly (even for Germany) with free to-do recommendations!

✨The Basics

Language: I mean, I think everyone knows that German is the language of Germany. Many people know English well enough, but it’s still good to know some key words!
– Hello = Hallo
– Please = Bitte
– Thank you = Danke
– Tram = Straßenbahn
– Railway station = Bahnhof
– Bathroom = Toilette

Currency: Germany uses the Euro (€). Cards are accepted at most places, but cash is definitely widely preferred. Smaller cafes or markets may be cash only, and many stores have card minimums of at least 5 euros.

Getting Around: Dresden’s public transportation system is super efficient. Here’s the breakdown:
– Trams are the easiest way to get around the city center.
– Buses and S-bahn trains connect other neighborhoods and nearby towns.
– The same ticket can be used for any mode of transport. It is timed as soon as you buy it. There are inspectors!
– A day pass or week pass is super cost-effective, as it’s between 3-5 euros for a one-way ride, but around 10 euros for unlimited rides for a day.
– Download the DB Navigator app for the easiest way to buy tickets. The kiosks can be finicky sometimes.

Below is my personal itinerary for my two day stay in Dresden. At the bottom, I include links to other interesting sights, food, and museums that you should definitely check out – especially if you have more time to explore the city!

🗓 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Culmination of the Good Stuff
1.) Visit Pfunds Molkerei → and maybe buy some cheese. This is actually considered the most beautiful dairy shop in the world. It is certainly impressive!
2.) Kunsthofpassage (especially if it’s raining) → arguably the most Instagrammable spot in Dresden, this is an art installation of five backyards representing different elements. The most famous piece in it is the magical Singing Drain Pipes. They make music when it rains.

3.) Schwebebahn Cable Car → one of the oldest suspension railway cars still operating – since 1924. Grab yourself a ticket and see the nature.
4.) Do a Slaughterhouse-Five tour → there are a few companies that do this, and it’s totally worth it because you get access to the memorial wall that is not open to the public and (possibly) access to the slaughterhouse Vonnegut sheltered in during the bombing.
5.) If you can’t get in on a tour, at least go see the outside of Messe Dresden → the building that the slaughterhouse is inside.

Day 2: Dresden Classics
1.) Saxon Switzerland National Park & Basteibrücke → no, this is not in Switzerland, although the name confused me too. This is, however, one of the most beautiful parks in Germany and 100% worth a visit, even though it is a bit outside of Dresden. Basteibrücke is the most famous part of it! Get there early to avoid the public and maybe see some fog. 

To get to the beginning of the Basteibrücke trail, you can either drive or… take the S1 train from Dresden Central Station towards Bad Schanau, and get off at Rathen. This will cost around 20 euros round trip. Take the ferry across the river (there are kiosks where cards are accepted, or you can pay cash, costing about 4 euros round trip), and begin the 30 minute climb up to the bridge. Don’t forget to keep going a bit past the bridge to get to the platform where you can see the bridge itself!

2.) Walk around beautiful Old Town →
– Frauenkirche (free entry): beautiful baroque church that was destroyed in WWII, and then rebuilt. 
– Fürstenzug (Procession of Princes): a 100+ meter long porcelain mural that depicts Saxon rulers. It is one of the largest porcelain artworks in the world, made of 23,000 tiles. This was one of my favorite sights in the city!
– Semperoper (Opera House): an 1800s architectural masterpiece, also destroyed during the bombings and subsequently rebuilt. Definitely at least see the outside!
– Royal Palace/Dresden Castle: one of the most important Renaissance period castles, now serving as a cultural center.

🍽 Restaurants You Should Not Miss!

• Sophienkeller im Taschenbergpalais → located near Zwinger Palace, this classic restaurant serves local traditional dishes with a medieval flair!
• Schillergarten → a riverside beer garden dating back to the 1700s! Go at sunset and try the bratwurst.
• Dresdner Kaffeestübchen → come here for the best traditional Saxon pastries.
• lila Soße → smaller joint located in Neustadt, but serves food with regional ingredients in glass jars.

🖼 Other Free Activities (click the links for more information)

• Brühl’s Terrace (“Balcony of Europe”) → for views of the river and Dresden’s skyline
• Zwinger Palace Grounds → courtyard and gardens are free, but museum entry costs
• Großer Garten → largest park in Dresden for a walk or a picnic!
• Dresden University of Technology Botanical Garden → beautiful and totally free, but donations are welcome
• Loschwitz Bridge (“Blue Wonder”) → famous 19th century steel bridge
• Bismarck Tower → admission is free, but donations are welcome
• Schillerhäuschen → a historic cottage that’s now a museum dedicated to Friedrich Schiller, the German poet. A tranquil writer’s retreat!
• Filmnächte am Elbufer → be on the lookout for open-air films shown on the riverbank during the warm months

🎨 Other Museums in Dresden (click the links for more information)

• Zwinger → one of the most well-known baroque buildings in Germany, and holds multiple museums such as the Dresden Porcelain Collection and the Old Masters Picture Gallery
• Albertinum Museum → art gallery and exhibition spaces, free entry
• Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) → Baroque and Classicism-era artifacts
• Rüstkammer (Dresden Armoury) → one of the world’s greatest collections of weapons, armor, and textiles spanning centuries
• German Hygiene Museum → one of Dresden’s most famous museums and it has children’s exhibits
• Dresden Transport Museum → vintage train carriages, airplane models, ships, and interactive exhibits
• Stadtmuseum Dresden → goes through 8 centuries of Dresden’s local history
• Bundeswehr Museum of Military History → rethinking military history in a gorgeous arsenal building
• Camondas Chocolate Museum → learn about Dresden’s history in chocolate, as it is the Schokoladen capital of Germany

Enjoy your time in Dresden! Follow my Instagram @emmathibodeauu and my TikTok @stepsineverycorner for travel updates and dives into other topics.

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