Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dresden?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dresden?

Many visitors spend one to three days in Dresden during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the historic old town, the nightlife, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities.

Dresden sits on both sides of the Elbe River, with the city's old town on one side and the new town on the other. It is the capital city of the German state of Saxony and it is known for its rich cultures and beautiful baroque architecture. There are many palaces, gardens, and churches thoughout.

Do you have one or two days to visit Dresden? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Dresden?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when it comes to exploring the main attractions. After all, As a popular city, Dresden offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. To fully embrace Dresden, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to plan one to three days to experience the historic old town, the nightlife, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Dresden

Don't miss Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace during your trip to Dresden, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

Dresden is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Dresden?

A weekend in Dresden is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend approximately one to three days here. This amount of time is perfect to admire the historic sights, take advantage of the local nightlife, browse the museums, and enjoy the city's energy. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Dresden Dresden

How to spend 2 days in Dresden

With a weekend (two to three days) in Dresden, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

A few tour suggestions include:

Dresden in one Day Walking Tour ($21)
Historic Dresden Small-Group Walking Tour ($22)
2 Hour Historical Walking Tour in Dresden ($44)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Public transit in Dresden is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Dresden, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.