For most Norwegians, Dresden is probably not known as a large tourist city, but in the old days the city had a completely different status. Until World War II, it was considered the most beautiful city on the continent throughout Europe, which abruptly changed when it was completely ruined by bombings towards the end of World War II. Since then, much has happened in Dresden, and through extensive restoration and reconstruction, Dresden is once again ready to receive tourists.
According to Abbreviation Finder, Dresden is located in southeastern Germany, close to the borders of Poland and the Czech Republic. The city is especially a popular destination during the Christmas season, due to an extensive Christmas market in the center of the city that attracts over 2 million people every single year. Dresden is a beautiful city that is well suited for a weekend trip or a romantic weekend . The city is also an exciting destination for history buffs. In Dresden itself, there are just over 540,000 people, and the city can consequently be compared to Oslo in terms of size.
Recommended hotels in Dresden
- Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski-Incredibly great five star hotel that should be experienced. Elegant, stylish and beautiful both inside and out. The focus here is on high standards and good service. Very good feedback from Norwegian guests. Take a look by clicking on the link.
- Aparthotel Neumarkt- Apartment hotel right in the center of Dresden with a short distance to most things. It is two minutes from the Frauenkirche Church and 9 minutes from the Zwinger Palace. Large and nice apartments with a good standard. Here you get a lot for your money.
- Suitess – An der Frauenkirche-From this hotel you have a nice view of the Frauenkircke and the surrounding area. Central and nice location and a perfect starting point to experience old Dresden. The hotel has a good standard, nice reception staff and everything works as it should. The hotel has its own bar / lounge, gym and rooftop terrace. A nice and relatively affordable hotel with a very central location.
Travel to Dresden
Getting to Dresden is not as easy as the other German cities. You must expect at least one stopover if you fly from Oslo Airport, but it is also possible to fly to Berlin and then take a bus or rental car the more than 17 miles from the airport to Dresden. The climate means that most tourists travel during the summer (from May to September), as the average temperatures are 19 degrees and upwards in these months.
The official currency in Germany is, as is well known, the euro. Germany is not known to Norwegians as the cheapest country to holiday in, but most in Dresden will be cheaper than in Norway. The city is also considered a safe city to travel in for tourists, as long as you take the usual precautions that you would otherwise do when visiting a European city. Drinking water in Germany is considered safe.
Hotels and restaurants in Dresden
Dresden has many hotels in the downtown area, most of them newer and of a good standard. You can get a great stay at a downtown four-star hotel for a reasonable price from a Norwegian perspective. Outside the tourist season, you can also get cheap accommodation in one of the city’s many luxury hotels.
Do you know of any other food from German cuisine than bratwurst? Neither do we. But what characterizes German food is that it often consists of a lot of salty and fatty meat, with accessories such as sauerkraut and potatoes. However, not too much of this is served at restaurants in Dresden, where in the center you will find restaurants in all price ranges and with very varied menus. If you want seafood, then you will find it, if you want steak, then it is no problem to find such a restaurant.
Attractions in Dresden
As mentioned in the introduction, Dresden’s rich history was laid in ruins during World War II. But in modern times, most have been restored to their original condition, and consequently there is much to see and experience in the German city.
Frauenkirche
Frauenkirche, also often referred to as the “Church of Our Lady”, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Dresden. This was also a large stone mound after the Allies bombed the city in 1945, and the ruins were visible until 1994. Then began an extensive restoration, which ensured that the church was rebuilt in 2005.
Bruehl Terrace
The building that is often called “Europe’s balcony” is located between the river Elbe and Dresden’s old town. It is an extensive promenade where you can climb to the heights to see several of the city’s most historic monuments. Along the promenade are also several of the most historic buildings in the city, as well as museums such as the Royal Museum of Art and the Albertinum Museum.
Zwinger Palace
Zwinger Castle is the best example of the late Baroque style that characterized large parts of Germany. It was built between 1710 and 1728 and was the site of festivals and tournaments. Today, the extensive complex is home to galleries and museums, and is consequently an attraction that many tourists will visit.
The green velvet
In the Green Velvet you will find several of the most expensive and exclusive treasures that Europe has ever seen. It is housed in Dresden Palace, and has been home to gold, silver, bronze and other gemstones since the 19th century. Here is also the largest green diamond in the world. Our tip is that you get tickets well in advance, because here the wait is long.
Steamboat on the Elbe
The most pleasant excursion you can do in Dresden is to embark on one of the traditional steamboats that run up and down the river Elbe. Here you can enjoy a good cup of coffee and some German cake while cruising along the historic city.
