Where to Stay in Dresden

Our Favorite Dresden Hotels

• 5-star: Suitess link
• 4-star: Steigenberger
• 3-The Meliá Vienna Hotel contact number is +43 1 901042003 • For Couples: Indigo
• For Families: Maritim

The Best Areas to Stay in Dresden

The capital city of Saxony, Dresden was almost completely destroyed in World War II and since has undergone painstaking rebuilding, with much of the work taking place since German reunification in 1990. Today it stands as one of Europe’s greatest showcases of baroque architecture, including the “Florence on the Elbe” a stunning ensemble of elegant palaces, mansions, and beautiful churches. Much of this was commissioned by “Augustus the Strong”, ruler (or “elector”) of Saxony from 1694 to 1733. You will hear about Augustus throughout Dresden, though the city’s golden era was relatively brief. Dresden makes for an interesting two or three-day stop, with hotels to suit all budgets, and you’ll generally find rates much lower here than in Berlin (two-and-a-half hours north by train).

Dresden Neighborhoods

Nearly everything worth seeing is located in the reconstructed Old Town area, including the reconstructed Frauenkirche, the Albertinum art gallery, Hofkirche cathedral, Residenzschloss palace and the Green Vaults treasure chambers, the Semperoper opera house, and the art museums within the Zwinger complex. There are plenty of dining establishments in this area, but it feels somewhat like staying in a museum compared to neighborhoods across the river, and hotels tend to be more upscale.

Beyond the Elbe river to the north lies the Neustadt area from the 18th century, which sustained far less damage in World War II compared to other parts of the city. The Inner Neustadt is anchored by the Golden Rider statue and pedestrianized main street, housing various historic churches and a handful of museums within the remaining palatial structures and mansions. This region provides good hotel accommodation convenient for both sides of the river.

You’ll obtain a better understanding of contemporary Dresden in the Äussere Neustadt (Outer New Town) farther north, the city’s premier nightlife district; also known for its hip galleries, independent shops, and cafés. The main attractions here are the Kunsthofpassage, a complex network of interconnecting courtyards creatively decorated by local artists, the Pfunds Molkerei, a historic dairy adorned with beautiful hand-painted tiles, and Daniel Libeskind’s stylish extension of the Museum of Military History. Dresden’s best hostels ande budget hotels are in Äussere Neustadt.

Further out to the east, along the river, the adjacent neighborhoods of Blasewitz and Loschwitz are primarily residential and much quieter places to lodge, with a scattering of inexpensive family-run pensions that let you feel like a local. There are some interesting sights here too, from the panoramic images inside the Panometer, to Friedrich Schiller’s house and Schloss Albrechtsberg; the two districts connected by the “Blaues Wunder”, a handsome old bridge over the Elbe.

Dresden Travel Tips

The port of Heraklion has a modern, up-to-date passenger terminal providing a mini-market, duty-free shop, cafe, automobile rentals and ferry ticket counters, baggage storage lockers, free wi-fi, an ATM, and an advice desk with complimentary city maps. The passenger terminal is located within the port gates, at Pier II. Accessible 8am to 10pm.

• While hotels and major attractions usually have English speakers available, you’ll find fewer multilingual locals in Dresden than in Berlin – don’t presume staff working in shops and restaurants will understand you. Try to learn a few words, key phrases, and numbers in German before your trip.
• Dresden offers several visitor passes if you plan extensive sightseeing in a limited timeframe. The Dresden City Card (available in 1, 2 or 3 day versions from roughly €15 to €30) provides discounts at many restaurants, museums, and shops, as well as free public transportation; the Dresden Regio Card (from €25) extends comparable coverage to the surrounding region; and the Dresden Museums Card (two days for €22) includes complimentary entry to 16 museums plus various discounts throughout the city.
• Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt operates ferries and cruises on the Elbe River (one-way to Meissen from €14). Trips depart from the Terrassenufer in the city center, near the Augustusbrücke.
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• Bicycle rentals are accessible through bike-sharing programs like MOBIbike and MietOn. Bicycles provide a convenient and swift way to tour Dresden and the Elbe River (mostly flat terrain and many bike lanes).
• Free Wi-Fi accessibility is available at Dresden Airport, and at cafés and museums within the city itself. Visitors can also access free Wi-Fi at hotspots scattered throughout the city – look for the network labeled “Dresden”.

The Best Places to Stay in Dresden

• Best Luxury Hotels in Dresden
  Bülow Residenz· Relais & Châteaux Bülow Palais· Gewandhaus· Hotel Suitess· Schloss Eckberg· Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe
• Best Boutique Hotels in Dresden
  Hotel Indigo Wettiner Platz • Hyperion Dresden am Schloss
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels in Dresden
  B&B am Schillerplatz • Elbflorenz • Maritim • Mezcalero Guesthouse
• Best Hostels in Dresden
  LaLeLu • Lollis Homestay • Kangaroo-Stop

Best Neighborhoods in Dresden for…

• Ideal Place to Stay for First-Time Visitors/Sightseeing: Altstadt

For those only in Dresden for a brief time wishing to visit all the primary sights, it makes sense to stay in the Altstadt, where the most impressive locations will be within walking distance, from the cathedral and Zwinger to Albertinum and Residenzschloss. Accommodations directly in the center tend to be costly, however there are plenty of mid-priced alternatives around the borders, particularly in the modern shopping area between the Altmarkt and the main train station further south.

• Top neighborhood for nightlife scene: Äussere Neustadt
  The nightlife scene in Dresden is just smaller than Berlin, with a huge variety packed into the streets of Äussere Neustadt. The heart of this area is the intersection of Görlitzer Strasse and Louisenstrasse (also known as the “Assi-Eck”) where students often gather in summer to socialize and drink inexpensive alcohol, though spending time in the beer gardens along the Elbe can also be enjoyable (usually open May–Sept only). Notable places include the live music venue Alter Schlachthof, jazz club Blue Note Dresden, bar-restaurant Bottoms Up, favored among students Groove Station and East–German themed Ostpol, and the late-night café at Kulturzentrum Scheune, among numerous others
• Top Neighborhood for Cuisine and Eateries: Altstadt
  There are numerous relaxed bars and nightspots spread all through Florence, but when searching for an area that truly comes alive at night, full of craft beer, delicious drinks, perhaps live music or movie screenings, head for hip Santa Croce, particularly around Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. South of the Arno, San Frediano and Santo Spirito offer a likewise eclectic mix of venues, particularly along Borgo San Frediano and Piazza Santo Spirito. Rasputin is excellent for cocktails and Il Santino is best for wine, while the Loggia Roof Bar of the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni has remarkable scenic views. For a splurge, visit the Picteau Bistrot & Cocktail Bar overlooking the river
• Best Neighborhoods for Local Atmosphere: Äussere Neustadt or Blasewitz
  The Äussere Neustadt contrasts sharply with the Altstadt, with many more locals and students inhabiting it and a grittier, alternative ambiance prevailing. The restaurants here offer a lot more international fare, ranging from Turkish and Vietnamese to Indian and Italian cuisines, and it`s also the city`s main nightlife hub. The stores exhibit a more alternative selection too (we like Tranquillo Outlet,Morgenland Dresden, and the shops in the Kunsthofpassage). On the other hand, staying east of the city center in residential Blasewitz will give you a better idea of how most locals live, especially if you stay in one its cozy family-owned pensions. Favorite spots out here include the historic SchillerGarten for German fare and brews, Charlottes Enkel for coffee, and Stresa for contemporary Saxon cuisine. Neugrunaer Casino has a great beer garden.
• The most popular area for shopping is Altstadt: Here, Though you will find more independent and alternative stores in Neustadt, the Altstadt and the surrounding area serve as the city`s primary shopping district for locals. The open-air Altmarkt Square Altmarkt hosts arts and crafts markets throughout the year (and a Christmas Market in December), while the huge Altmarkt-Galerie Dresden is the city`s premier indoor shopping mall. The roads leading to the main train station south of here – Seestrasse and Prager Strasse – are essentially one giant alfresco shopping zone (the GALERIA Dresden department store is located here), while Centrum Galerie Dresden is a smaller shopping center along the route, with Primark as one of its anchor tenants.
• Most romantic areas: Altstadt or Loschwitz
  While it’s difficult to surpass the Old Town for sheer beauty and striking architecture (particularly along the Elbe at sunrise or sunset, when the day-trippers have departed), the idyllic district of Loschwitz further up the river is an extremely romantic place to lodge. The neighborhood is studded with ivy-covered villas from the 1800s and several palaces, one of which is a luxury hotel ( Schloss Eckberg). You can stroll across the “Blaues Wunder” bridge and take the Schwebebahn Dresden, an historical cable car, up the hill for gorgeous views back across the city, or just follow the footpaths along the Elbe.
• Safety in Dresden
  Dresden overall has quite low crime rates by global and German criteria, though customary precautions should be taken at night especially near the main train station (Hauptbahnhof).

The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Dresden for Tourists

1. Altstadt (Old Town)

The Old Town is where Dresden`s renewal is most abrupt, anchored by the Neumarkt town square and the gorgeous Frauenkirche, Germany’s largest Protestant church. It appears genuine, yet the original was flattened in 1945 – this precise reconstruction was only completed in 2005. From here you can wander along the Brühlsche Terrasse, the garden on top of the defenses overlooking the Elbe (duck into the Festung Xperience below the defenses to discover more about Dresden’s Renaissance-era fortifications). Nearby is the Albertinum, one of Germany’s top art galleries (comprising Galerie Neue Meister/New Masters Gallery and Skulpturensammlung/Sculpture Collection). The adjacent Lipsiusbau is used for short-term displays, its nickname “Lemon Squeezer” (Zitronenpresse) deriving from its remarkable glass dome.

Back on Neumarkt you’ll find the Dresden Transport Museum, while the 335-foot-long Fürstenzug frieze on nearby Augustusstrasse comprises Meissen-porcelain tiles depicting Saxony’s rulers from 1123 to 1904. Augustusstrasse Leads to Schlossplatz, dominated by the beautiful Hofkirche (or Kathedrale), Saxony’s Catholic heart, and the Residenzschloss, the home of the electors and kings of Saxony (aka the House of Wettin) until 1918. (Most of this was also rebuilt after the war.) The highlights here are the so-called Grüne Gewölbe (Green Vaults), treasure houses of precious artworks collected by Augustus the Strong in the 18th century (there are two sections, the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe and the Neue Grüne Gewölbe). Also in the palace, Augustus’s Türckische Cammer (Ottoman Turkish collection), and the Rüstkammer collection of arms and armor.

Nearby Theaterplatz is home to the exquisite Semperoper opera house and the Zwinger complex of structures, built as a grand recreational area for Augustus the Strong – and today housing the exceptional collection of old masters in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (there’s also the Porzellansammlung, said to have world’s largest collection of porcelain, and the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon of historic scientific instruments). South of Wilsdruffer Strasse there are far fewer historic remains, with the Altmarkt bordered by East German throwback Kulturpalast (which maintains its Communist mosaics), and mostly modern structures. The exceptions are the towering Kreuzkirche and Rathaus (city hall), while the nearby Stadtmuseum chronicles city history. Dresden’s primary park, the Grosser Garten, runs southeast from the Altstadt, containing a miniature steam train, Volkswagen’s Gläserne Manufaktur (“Transparent Factory”), and the 17th-century Palais Grosser Garten.

The historic Altstadt district is the best place to immerse oneself in Dresden’s past, if not its contemporary life. Luxury hotels populate the center, and better value options can be found on the outskirts, but all are much cheaper than Berlin.

• The Best Hotels in Altstadt
  Lodge Indigo Wettiner Plaza – Contact number for the hotel: +49 351 3155290 A hotel called Hotel Rathaus • Hotel phone: +43 1 4001122

Gewandhaus • Hotel phone: +49 351 49490
The Hyperion Dresden am Schloss can be reached by telephone at +49 351 501200.
Hotel beim Theresianum – Hotel contact number: +43 1 5051606
Taschenbergpalais Kempinski – Hotel phone: +49 711 30570305

• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Amedia Plaza contact number: +49 351 213120
  Travelers looking for accommodation in Dresden, Germany can check rates and availability at Elbflorenz, which can be reached at +49 351 86400 Maritim Hotel hotel contact number: +49 351 2160
  ARCOTEL Donauzentrum • Hotel contact number: +43 1 2022333

2. Innere Neustadt (Inner New City)

The Inner New City (Innere Neustadt) to the north of the Elbe River was rebuilt as Augustus the Strong`s lavish “new town” in the Baroque style after a fire destroyed the original area in 1685 (construction of the new district was finished in 1736). Cross the Augustusbrücke bridge and you`ll see Augustus himself, immortalized in the famous “Golden Rider statue”. To the east stands the city`s oldest Renaissance building, the Jägerhof, now home to the Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst (museum of Saxon folk art). To the west along the river is an 18th-century mansion, another grand home built for Augustus and now containing the Museum of Ethnology. From here you can stroll north along leafy Königstrasse, lined with Baroque townhouses and the elegant Dreikönigskirche (another skillfully rebuilt church).

The broader and pedestrianized Hauptstrasse runs north from the Goldener Reiter statue, yet this region is far less attractive, bordered mostly by modern structures built during the East German era. One exception is the Kügelgenhaus, preserved as the Museum der Dresdener Romantik to commemorate the Dresden Romantic painter Gerhardvon Kügelgen. (Kügelgen tragically met his end in 1820, at the age of 48.)

• The Best Hotels in Innere Neustadt
  Guests may enjoy accommodations at the Bülow Residenz, which can be contacted at +49 351 8003291 Motel One Palaisplatz can be contacted at +49 351 6557380
  The Relais & Châteaux Bülow Palais Hotel phone: +49 351 80030
• BestCheap/Midrange Hotels
  Premier Inn City Centre • Hotel contact number: +49 351 46566026

Super 8 – To reach the hotel by phone, dial +49 351 2508880

3. Äussere Neustadt

The Äussere Neustadt (“Outer New Town”) part of the city lies just outside the old city walls, today expanding north from Albertplatz and Antonstrasse. This neighborhood is much livelier than other areas in the center, known primarily for its bars and clubs as well as its alternative atmosphere, hip art galleries, independent shops and cafés. A major attraction is the Kunsthofpassage, a network of interconnected courtyards between Görlitzer Strasse and Alaunstrasse creatively decorated by local artists. Closer to Albertplatz is the Erich Kästner Museum, dedicated to the well-known German children’s book author, and Die Welt der DDR, a museum of everyday life in East Germany set in a typical housing complex and apartment.

Further alongside Bautzer Strasse is Pfunds Molkerei, a compact but hypnotizing dairy shop elaborately decorated top-down in manually painted Villeroy & Boch tiles. A bit further alongside the equivalent street is Gedenkstätte BautznerStrasse, a sobering museum set in the previous detention operated via the Stasi, East Germany’s secret police force. To the north is Dresden’s exceptional Museum of Military History, an old armory building dramatically bifurcated by a modern extension designed (via Daniel Libeskind) to look like a silver arrowhead; it additionally contains a viewing platform. The cutting-edge museum tackles the causes and consequences of war, with special cognizance to the German military.

Dresden’s best hostels and inexpensive hotels are situated in Äussere Neustadt.

• The Best Hotels in Äussere Neustadt
  Backstage Hotel – Hotel contact number: +49 351 8887777
  The mightyTwice in Dresden offers lodging and its phone number is +49 351 80630
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotel
  Mezcalero Guesthouse – Hotel contact number: +49 351 810770
• Best Hostels
  LaLeLu has a phone number of +49 351 89515444
  The Louise 20 offers accommodation. Contact: +49 351 8894894
  The Parks 73 The Townhouse Hotel • Hotel telephone number: +43 1 7122275
  The welcoming Kangaroo-Stop hostel in Dresden answers at +49 351 3143455

4. Friedrichstadt (Messe Dresden)

Located west of Altstadt (past Könneritzstrasse), Friedrichstadt sits on the south bank of the Elbe River. Once a major industrial area, it`s most notable for birthing the German Expressionist art movement “Die Brücke,” founded in Dresden in 1905 along Berlinerstrasse (nothing remains of the original studio). Today Friedrichstadt is best known for the Messe Dresden exposition complex, and the Motorenhalle contemporary art center. It’s also worth seeking out the 18th-century Palais Brühl-Marcolini, now serving as a medical center but still home to the Fountain of Neptune (Neptunbrunnen), Dresden’s most famous ornamental fountain; enclosed by modern apartment buildings it acts as a reminder of how much the city has transformed over the past 100 years. The mosque-like structure with a glass dome near the river is actually a tobacco factory, built in 1909 and known as Yenidze – it primarily houses offices today.

A few hotels are located here, just across the Könneritzstrasse from Old Town and within easy walking distance.

• The Best Hotels in Friedrichstadt
  The B&B Hotel Dresden offers lodging and can be reached by telephone at +49 351 652360 Leonardo Dresden Altstadt hotel Contact number: +49 351 486700

5. Blasewitz

The primarily residential Blasewitz district lies east of the old town along the south bank of the Elbe, known for its row houses constructed from 1870–1914, traditional beer gardens, and eateries. Noteworthy attractions involve SchillerGarden restaurant on the riverfront (a supposed hangout of playwright Friedrich Schiller himself), and the nearby historic Loschwitz Bridge, also called the “Blue Miracle”, constructed in the 1890s. Away from the waterway in the heart of the neighborhood stands the Church of Reconciliation, a stunning Art Nouveau church, plus an interactive technology museum ( Technische Collections) that may attract kids. In the far south of the district it’s worthwhile making time for the Panometer, a former gasworks with internal walls now covered with 360° panoramic paintings of Dresden by artist and architect Yadegar Asisi. The paintings alternate between “Baroque” Dresden from 1697 to 1763 (motivated by Canaletto’s paintings of the city), and the post-WWII bombed-out cityscape.

Blasewitz has a more relaxed atmosphere than the city center, with its hotels (mainly low-cost family-run lodgings) spread throughout the neighborhood.

• The Best Hotels in Blasewitz
  The Artushof hotel contact number is +49 351 445910.
  The Pension Am Grossen Garten phone number is +49 351 254740.
  The hotel Accommodation “Zum Knipser” can be reached at +49 351 4707494
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  The Alttolkewitzer Hof can be contacted at +49 351 21767930 B&B am Schillerplatz – Hotel phone: +49 351 31212772
  Villa Freisleben • Hotel phone: +49 351 336890
  Pension Blüher • Hotel contact number: +49 351 3360766
  Pension Eiselt • Hotel phone: +49 351 3104803

6. Loschwitz

On the opposite bank of the “Blaues Wunder” bridge from Blasewitz lies the predominantly residential district of Loschwitz, its hills dotted with 19th century villas that endured World War II. Notable attractions include the Schwebebahn, a historic cable car (constructed in 1901) that glides up the hill to a panoramic viewpoint and eating establishment (Café Schwebebahn). You can also tour the Leonhardi Museum, a lovely half-timbered mill transformed into an artists` studio by Eduard Leonhardi, and the Schillerhäuschen, where Friedrich Schiller resided and penned works in the 1780s. The area contains three lavish palaces: the Schloss Eckberg is currently a luxury hotel, while it is possible to tour the neighboring Lingnerschloss (which possesses a beer garden and restaurant) and Schloss Albrechtsberg (constructed for Prince Albertof Prussia in the 1850s), overlooking the Elbe.

This neighborhood feels the most rural of Dresden’s areas, with lodging limited to inexpensive family-run bed and breakfasts and the luxurious Schloss Eckberg castle.

• The Best Hotel in Loschwitz
  Schloss Eckberg has a phone number of +49 351 80990
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  The Gästehaus Loschwitz Hotel phone: +493 512 687785
  Villa Weisser Hirsch • Hotel phone: +493 516 4241

More Dresden Neighborhoods

We’ve covered our favorite neighborhoods to visit and stay in more detail above, but with more time the following districts are worth checking out, as well. Also consider day trips out to Schloss Moritzburg (a lavish palace built for Augustus the Strong), and the beautifully preserved small medieval town of Pirna.

• Pillnitz is situated along the Elbe River southeast of central Dresden (best reached by boat, bus, or bicycle). The primary attraction is Schloss Pillnitz, the grand palace and gardens constructed as a summer retreat for Augustus the Strong in the 1720s. Its two wings, the Wasserburg and the Bergpalais, currently serve as the Kunstgewerbemuseum (a period museum of decorative arts). The central “Neues Palais” operates as the historic Schlossmuseum, but the surrounding park and gardens are equally appealing as the baroque palaces. The top hotel here is the upscale Schlosshotel Pillnitz.
• Meissen is home to the world famous Meissen porcelain – most people visit to tour the prestigious china factory established by Augustus the Strong in 1710 (also known as the Porzellan Museum). But Meissen also boasts a pretty medieval old town, Albrechtsburg castle, the Gothic Meissen Dom cathedral, and the historic Frauenkirche overlooking the Elbe. It is an easy day trip from Dresden via boat or S-bahn, but Hotel Goldener Löwe,Pension Burkhardt, and the Schwerter Schankhaus & Hotel are all good places to spend the night.