I’ll be on my first trip to Dresden for 5 nights in June. I’m interested in WW II history, castles / castle ruins, trying local foods, and seeing some beautiful nature / sites (mountains, bridges etc). Also would like to take walking historic and/or food tours as well.
I am also willing to take a half day or full day trip by train to see some sites as well!
Would love some suggestions that may match some of these interests. Thank you!
Related thread of OP:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/itinerary-help-on-1st-trip-to-germany-please-bavaria-dresden
RS tips for Dresden:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany/dresden
Close Saxon Switzerland is worth day trip(s): https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/
The Atlas Obscura Guide To Dresden
18 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Dresden, Germany
I am also willing to take a half day or full day trip by train to see some sites as well!
In 2019, I took an easy (half?) day trip from Dresden to Schloss Pillnitz Park and Gardens:
https://www.schlosspillnitz.de/en/home/
At the time, it was easy to get there via Tram 2 and the connecting ferry, though the transit details may have changed.
You can read more in my 2019 trip report. Some details are out of date, but since it is specific to Dresden, it may still be of interest. (For example the DresdenWalks website for walking tours seems to be gone.)
The fabulous Genuss Atelier restaurant mentioned in my trip report still seems to be operating, with an updated 2025 Michelin Star:
https://www.genuss-atelier.net/en/
For WWII history check the Military History museum
mhmbw.de
Castles/ castle ruins:
Schloss Pillnitz
schlosspillnitz.de
Schloss Moritzburg
schloss-moritzburg.de
Burg Stolpen
burg-stolpen.org
Schloss Weesenstein
schloss-weesenstein.de
Festung Königstein
festung-koenigstein.de
Albrechtsburg Meißen
albrechtsburg-meissen.de
Beautiful nature:
National Park Saxon Switzerland
(especially Bastei viewpoint and bridge, the previously mentioned Fortress Königstein, Mt. Lilienstein, Schrammstein massif near Bad Schandau)
nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de
For guided tours check with the Tourist Information.
Highly recommended as well are paddle steamer excursions and rides on the narrow-gauge steam trains in the surroundings.
Have you checked the city's tourism web site? https://www.dresden.de/en/tourism/tourism.php
You can change website language in the upper right side of the page.
There's also a free tourist app: https://www.dresden.de/de/tourismus/information/dresden-mobil.php
Information on more than 100 sights as well as museums, restaurants, stores, cultural institutions, leisure activities and much more
Easy orientation with current position and viewing direction directly on the city map
Bus and train routes with stops and departure monitor
Book city tours and sightseeing tours, Dresden Welcome Cards, accommodation and e-parking permits
Public WCs
Thank you very much to each of you - I will look into these links and lists you have listed. I appreciate your help!
We were in Dresden in January 2020.
We did the Dresden Walking Tour which was really good! I like doing these sorts of tours on arrival day as you learn so much about an area which makes the rest of the tip more interesting.
I also went to the Hygiene Museum, which was very interesting, but really hard to describe.
The Museum of Mathematical and Physical Instruments was really interesting as well, and I am not an engineer;) I kept texting my husband and son from there as they would have loved it;)
