I´ll be traveling next month to Berlin with my daughter. We are staying near Schloss Charlottenburg, and I have an open schedule during the day while my daughter works. After planning to see the sights in Berlin and immediate vicinity including Potsdam and Sachsenhausen, I´m pondering making a long day trip to Dresden. Any advice about that and/or other worthwhile places to visit while I am there would be appreciated.
You can easily do a day trip from Berlin to Dresden, I've done that a few times but choose a departure going directly to Dresden from Berlin Hbf. The other choice is having to transfer in Leipzig, which is all right provided you have lots of time. I've done it both ways. Avoid the transfer by going direct.
If you decide on this day trip, I would suggest concentrating on seeing the main area of the sights, Zwinger, Frauenkirche, etc.
As a day trip Leipzig is worth seeing as a prelude for a more in depth visit, historically and culturally. Half-way to Leipzig is Lutherstadt Wittenberg, also worthwhile historically if you're interested in the start of the Reformation.
There is a lot to see in Dresden. It's much better as an overnight. Since there is so much to see in Berlin, I fear by taking a day trip to Dresden you will be short-changing both cities.
A visit to the Reichstag Building is well-worth your time. You need to register in advance at bundestag.de/en. I agree with the others regarding Dresden; if possible, spend at least one night there to get the most from your visit.
We did this as a day trip as well in 2019. The Historic Green Vault was the highlight of the day. Buy timed tickets online ahead of time.
Can I put in a strong recommendation for the Berlin tour guide we used? Finn Ballard Tours. He’s an expat from Ireland and a university professor who just brings the history to life!