Dresden, Germany - Travel Guide

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay3 days

Budget$70/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$600/day

Known For

SaxonyElbe RiverFlorence on the ElbeBaroqueEast Germany

🇩🇪 Country Information: Germany

CapitalBerlin

CurrencyEuro (€)

LanguageGerman , English

Phone Code+49

Electricity230V (Type C, F)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is customary but not mandatory; typically 5
10% in restaurants and for taxi drivers
For hairdressers or other services, rounding up or a small tip is common
For hotel staff, a small tip for good service is appreciated

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in urban areas
Credit cards are widely accepted, but cash is still preferred in many smaller establishments and for small purchases
It is generally better to use ATMs for cash, but having some euros upon arrival is useful
There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Punctuality is highly valued
Direct communication is common and appreciated
"Sie" (formal "you") is used with strangers and in professional settings; "du" (informal "you") is used with friends and family
Recycling is a strong cultural norm and widely practiced
Sunday is a day of rest, with most shops closed

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Germany has a high degree of LGBTQ+ friendliness and strong legal protections, including same-sex marriage.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 16 for beer and wine, 18 for spirits
Drug laws are strict, with penalties for possession and trafficking
While cannabis is being legalized, regulations are still evolving

Special Laws

Jaywalking is illegal and can result in fines
It is illegal to litter
Public consumption of alcohol is generally permitted, but can be restricted in certain areas or during events
Public nudity is not permitted
Respect quiet hours, especially on Sundays and at night

Common Phrases

NoNein (nyn)

YesJa (yah)

HelloHallo (hah-loh)

PleaseBitte (bit-tuh)

Excuse meEntschuldigung (ent-shool-dee-goong)

Thank youDanke (dahn-kuh)

Climate

Climate Zone: Continental Cool

Best Time to Visit

Super cold season: Dec
Feb
Super hot season: Jul
Aug

Getting There

Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS)
Trains from major German cities (e
g
, Berlin 2h, \~$30; Munich 6h, \~$70)
Buses from various European cities (e
g
, Prague 2h, \~$15)

Getting Around

Public transport (trams, buses) is excellent and extensive
Taxis are readily available
Ride
sharing apps like Free Now and Uber are operational

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations recommended (MMR, DTaP)
No specific altitude sickness concerns
Probiotics generally not needed
No malaria risk

Staying Connected

eSIMs are widely available
Major German providers (Telekom, Vodafone, O2) support eSIMs
Airalo, Nomad, and Holafly work well

Local Cuisine

Eierschecke dessert

A traditional Saxon layered cake that is a must-try in Dresden. It consists of a yeast dough base, a curd/quark layer, a custard/egg-butter-sugar laye

Dresdner Stollen seasonal

A classic Christmas bread or cake made with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, often covered in powdered sugar. The genuine Dresdner Christstollen is pro

Sauerbraten regional_speciality

A pot roast that is traditionally marinated for several days in vinegar, wine, and spices, resulting in a distinctively tangy flavor. It is often serv

Schaffnerpfanne must_try

Literally meaning 'Train Conductor's Pan,' this dish is a combination platter of various traditional meats, sometimes including Sauerbraten, roast por

Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen snack

A type of gingerbread or spiced cookie that is traditionally soft and glazed, distinct from the harder, decorated varieties. While originating near Dr

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Semperoper Performance Tickets Attraction

Book 1-3 months in advance

The Semperoper is a world-renowned opera house, and tickets for popular performances, especially on weekends and holidays, sell out quickly.

Hotels/Accommodation (especially near Christmas Market) Accommodation

Book 2-6 months in advance

Dresden's Striezelmarkt (Christmas Market) is one of the oldest and most famous, leading to extremely high demand and limited availability/higher prices for centrally located hotels during the Advent season.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Frauenkirche Guided Tour / Dome Ascent tour_or_activity

Book 2-6 weeks in advance

The Frauenkirche is a major attraction. Tours and the ascent to the dome have limited capacity, especially on busy days during high season, and can sell out.

High-Demand Dining Reservations (e.g., Kastenmeiers, Lila Soße) Dining

Book 2 weeks to 2 months in advance

Popular or high-end dining establishments in Dresden, particularly those recognized for fine dining, require reservations far in advance, especially for evening slots on weekends.

Fun Facts

1. The world's first milk chocolate was invented in Dresden in 1839 by the company "Jordan & Timaeus," who advertised their new product as chocolate made with donkey milk.
2. Dresden is home to the Pfunds Molkerei, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the most beautiful milk shop in the world, often described as the "Sistine Chapel of dairy products."
3. The city features the "Fürstenzug" or "Procession of Princes," which is one of the largest porcelain-tile artworks globally, measuring 101 meters long and made up of 24,000 tiles.
4. The Semper Opera House in Dresden was the first building in Germany to be equipped with electric lighting.

Dresden