A stunning meeting place of history, art and nature

Straddling the Elbe River, the beautiful city of Dresden is known for the classical architecture of its carefully reconstructed old town. Spend some time wandering and you’ll discover some wonderful examples of Baroque-style buildings dotted between world-class art museums housing famous collections.

Thanks to its river-side location and strong focus on the arts, it’s hardly surprising it’s gained the nickname ‘Elbflorenz’ – Florence of the Elbe.

One of its other claims to fame is that it is among the greenest cities in Europe. Almost 65% of Dresden is made up of park or forest area. There are 110 natural monuments to be discovered here.

The city itself has a wealth of historical and cultural places of interest to visit. Don’t miss Theatre Square, The Zwinger,  The Royal Palace, The Church of our Lady, the Royal Cathedral, the Royal Mews and The Procession of Princes.

While the city has undergone a massive transformation in the past three decades, it still bears some of the scars from the terrifying bombing raids of 1945. History enthusiasts will relish the opportunity to get a closer look how WWII affected Dresden and it’s inhabitants.

The little Saxon city of Meissen boasts a charmingly laid-back medieval atmosphere. Stroll down narrow cobblestone streets and learn about the city’s porcelain production industry.

Another Dresden highlight is The Semper Opera House, which is considered by many to be one of the most magnificent opera houses in the world. It was built between 1838 and 1841 and is home to one of the world’s oldest orchestras, The Saxon State Orchestra.

The Green Vault houses an extensive collection of around 3,000 historic items, from ornate silverware to Venetian wind-up automatons. Here you’ll even find the solid gold drinking bowl for Ivan the Terrible, and the rare Dresden Green, a massive green diamond from India.

Highlights

Learn about the effects WWII had on the city and see how it was rebuilt.

Travel back in time as you wander the ancient streets of Meissen.

Marvel at the magnificent Semper Opera house.

Visit the Green Vault and discover thousands of priceless treasures.

Perfectly located between Berlin and Prague, Dresden works well as part of a multi-stop trip. The city is a celebration of art museums and classic architecture, boasting a beautiful old town which is rich in heritage and culture.

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Murray Mitchell

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Dresden

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Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline