Dresden in 3 days - What to see in Dresden in 3 days

1. Things to know before arriving in Dresden
2. How to get to Dresden
3. Public transport in Dresden – How to get around Dresden
4. Cost of living in Dresden
5. Saving money in Dresden
6. Accommodation for students in Dresden
7. Neighbourhoods of Dresden - The most important districts of Dresden
8. Nightlife in Dresden - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Dresden
9. Typical Dresden Cuisine
10. What to do in Dresden
11. Places to visit around Dresden
12. What to see in Dresden in 3 days

So far, we have been discovering a lot about nice places and things to see and do in Dresden. Don’t worry if you’re not going to stay for a whole academic year or a semester in this wonderful city! Even if you are here "just" for a short trip, you'll have the chance to see the most important monuments and the most interesting places in only 3 days. Have a look at how you could spend the perfect three days in Dresden! Here is a guide on how to narrow all these recommendations down to see and do the best things in this magical city.

Day 1

Morning

There is nothing better than starting the day with a good and long breakfast. German people love this meal and they have really good stuff to eat. You should try Xfreshin Altstadt. They offer brunch (€7.90) with a lot of different delicacies both sweet and salty, such as eggs, sausages yoghurt and fresh fruits.

After the food strengthening your 3-days-trip can start. First, you should visit the Frauenkirche. Take your time there and learn something about the history and role of Dresden during the Second World War. As this church got almost totally destroyed during the air raids, they have a little museum inside.

To get to Fürstenzug from Frauenkirche it takes only a few minutes. As I mentioned in one section before, almost all the must see places are close to each other in Altstadt, so you don’t need any public transport and you can easily reach everything by foot.

Right there is the Brühl's Terrace, nicknamed “the balcony of Europe”, where you can enjoy the amazing view of the new city and the river Elbe while having a coffee. People often stay there for a longer time, taking sun or just watching other people. Once you are in Altstadt you should have lunch in one of the two places I've recommended before, Restaurant & Grand Café Coselpalais or Paulaner's. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money or you don't feel that hungry, then you should just buy a Bratwurst. They are sold in every corner of the city; besides it is super cheap and tasty.

Afternoon

After lunch it is time to see the amazing gardens of Zwinger. Take also a walk to the little pond next to it. You can sit down in the garden and enjoy the unique view of the building, you will feel like a princess/prince in a fairytale.

Now, it is time to go inside the Old Masters gallery. As you already know, in my opinion, one of the most impressive museum. So if you are also interested in the art of the 14-18th century, you will need at least 2.5 hours. There are more than 750 exhibited masterpieces and they will devour you!

With the ticket of the picture gallery you'll also have free entry for Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon. So take advantage of it and feel like Marty McFly in “Back to the Future”.

Evening/Night

For having dinner just go to Neustadt, walking of course. Cross bridge Augustus... the nicest and biggest one, and then pass the monument "Goldener Reiter". The Golden Horseman is an equestrian statue of the Saxon Elector and Polish King Augustus the Strong and it is considered the most famous monument of Dresden.

As you still know, there are a lot of different options for having dinner in Neustadt. But please remember Codo has the best sushi in the world!

After, you should have a drink in one of the bars in Neustadt, as you are already there. Look at the recommendations I’ve already given to you. If you want to join a party after that, check the concerts or aftershow parties in Ostpol, Chemiefabrik or Groove Station.

Day 2

Morning

To have breakfast I would recommend Planwirtschaftin Neustadt. It’s a nostalgic restaurant in the style of Eastern Germany. You also have the possibility to eat outside in a wonderful garden. Check the menu here.

Let's go back to Altstadt, but this time on the other side of bridge Carola. If it will be a Saturday - perfect! You'll be able to enjoy the big and famous flea market next to the river. You could find really nice things at a good price, so don’t miss it out.

On this day you can take an artistic step from the past to the New Masters Gallery. There, you will need about one hour, since they have not that many masterpieces as in the Old master.

As it is right next to the art museum, then you can go to Residenzschloss and climb up the tower to enjoy the whole view of the city. Don’t forget your camera.

Afternoon

This will be the first time you'll need public transport. From Postplatz, take tram 1 or 2 to Querallee, to enter in Großer Garten. First thing, I would recommend Carolaschlösschen, to have a meal or snack. Offer and prices are listed here. After lunch, you shouldn’t miss Palais Großer Garten, enjoy the feeling in this huge garden.

Leave the garden through the opposite entrance and go to the bus station Julius-Otto-Straße. With bus 61 direction Weißig, reach Grunaer Weg stop (5 min) and change there to bus 64 direction Reick, till station Nähterstraße (3 min). The bus will leave you in front of the entrance of Panometer Dresden.

Evening/Night

After this trip to the history of Dresden city, go out and take bus 64 again, same direction and, at Hülßestraße (5 min), change to tram 13, direction Mickten and at the station of Bautzner Straße/ Rothenburger Straße, the tram will kick you directly into the restaurant Bautzner Tor, where a great German dinner is waiting for you!

As it is party night today, I would recommend going to Square Louisenstraße/ Rothenburger Straße first, so that you can buy cheap drinks in the Spätis and save money for clubbing. This square also has access to tram 13, which takes you to Bischofsweg (3 min), where you have to change to tram 7 or 8 to get to Industriegelände, in 8 minutes. There you can choose between Objekt Klein A, Sektor Evolution or Paula. Personal tip: go for the first one.

Day 3

Relaxing day: as we saw a lot of monuments and museum, the last day is a relaxing one in the heart of the city: of course in Neustadt!

Morning/Midday

Maybe after a long party night you will feel hungry. And what's better than starting the day with a brunch? I would recommend Scheune café. The offer is amazing, also for vegetarian/ vegan people and the price is super affordable, depending on what you want. Click here for a general idea. They also have an amazing terrace.

Get carried away by the atmosphere of the streets of the city. You will walk through amazing colourful houses and squares; make a stop to watch the goings-on. Don’t miss to visit Kunsthof passage and the little cozy shops inside this art complex.

Afternoon

If you feel like sitting down again and enjoy the sun, go to the beer garden at Katy’s Garage. They have really good coffee and nice music to relax. For having a snack try Currywurstat Curry&Coor, share a pizza with your friend and travel partner or eat it alone at Eva's. In your case, I would highly recommend to order it to go, buy a Spezi in some supermarket or Späti and enjoy the meal in the iconic Alaunpark. That’s what people do there: spend their free time in this amaaazing and lively park.

Evening/Night

Take a little walk to Hechtviertel, it’s very close, so you can get an impression of this cozy neighborhood. When you are hungry again, you can choose between two destinations: the vegan restaurant Falscher Hase or AZ Conni, where you can pay what you want.

To complete this (hopefully) perfect trip, go to the cinema Schauburg and enjoy a good movie night in an amazing atmosphere.

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