Dresden: Long Weekend Itinerary & My Verified Tips for Day Trips in the surrounding area from our travel diary! I explored Altstadt, Neustadt, and discovered the Elbe on a scooter. My personal tips on what to see and experience.
Where Baroque Meets Alternative Life and Scooter Adventures
Welcome to Dresden, a city that, for me, represents the perfect blend of history, art, and active urban exploration. I’ve been here a few times, mostly just visiting the Zwinger, but I’d never truly experienced the city until I explored it on a scooter. Most guidebooks focus solely on the Baroque splendour of Altstadt (Old Town), but based on my new personal experience and recommendations, I know the real charm of this Saxon gem lies in its contrasts.
This article is not just another general guide. It is my complete, verified itinerary for a long weekend (3 days), which we personally completed, often on two wheels. I will show you how to fully enjoy this destination, leading you from the iconic Zwinger to the alternative streets of Neustadt. This pillar post serves as a map to guide you through my best tips for hiking, architecture, and dining experiences, all summarized in the detailed articles below. Get ready to discover Dresden actively, just like we did!
Day 1: The Weighty Arguments for Baroque – Dresden’s Altstadt
We dedicate the first day to the city’s heart, which was miraculously reborn after the bombing. This visual tour through history is a must-do for anyone visiting Dresden.
📌 Must-See in Altstadt (My Vetted Route)
Our day began by crossing the bridges over the Elbe River. It was there we decided that the riverbanks were something we absolutely had to explore in the following days. Little did we know that one of our best scooter trips awaited us there. Our route then plunged into history:
- Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady): Not only an impressive structure but also a powerful symbol. My recommendation: Don’t skip the mandatory morning coffee shop, the Meissen porcelain store, and take a moment to observe the bustle in Neumarkt, where history mixes with modern life.
- Zwinger and Semperoper: These architectural masterpieces are a feast for the eyes, especially when you spot acrobats doing handstands on the terrace railings!
- Brühlsche Terrasse (Brühl’s Terrace over the Elbe): Also called the “Balcony of Europe.” Tip from my trip: It’s the perfect spot to relax and watch the Elbe cycle path and the omnipresent steamboats, especially around sunset!
- Fürstenzug (Procession of Princes): That ceramic mural is simply long and stunning. Though taking a photo without people in it is nearly impossible. Someone is always milling about.
➡️ Do you want to know my detailed impressions of these monuments? Read my article: Dresden: Altstadt, Between the Zwinger, Blue Tubes and Cathedrals
Day 2: The Street of Contrasts and Subcultures – An Adventure in Neustadt
While Altstadt is beautiful history, Neustadt is the young and vibrant present, and my personal favourite for active and curious travellers. It’s the place where you truly get to know the modern and rebellious spirit of Dresden.
🎨 From the Golden Rider to Colourful Facades
Neustadt is divided into the historical part and the “Outer” alternative section, which is well worth exploring on foot or by scooter.
- Goldener Reiter (Golden Rider): The transition from the Old Town to the New.
- Alaunstraße: This is a street where life ignores the rules. My finding: I was fascinated by the street life—how various subcultures meet here, from art galleries to small vinyl shops. I found it’s the ideal place for an evening drink and people-watching without pretense.
- Kunsthofpassage: This secret treasure with playful facades is a mecca for Instagrammers and photographers.
➡️ Want to know more about the unfiltered life and stories in Neustadt? See my detailed post: Alaunstrasse Dresden Neustadt, the Trivial Story of One Street
[Insert photo from Alaunstraße or Kunsthofpassage.]
Day 3: Day Trips and The City as a Base for Active Hikes
We devoted the next days to what we love most about travelling: movement and exploring the region. Dresden is a fantastic starting point for active excursions.
🚴♀️ Scooter/Hike along the Elbe: The Water Palace and Königstein Fortress
The Elbe cycle path is a world-class unique trail, and my personal tip is to use it, whether by bike or scooter.
- The Route along the Elbe: A flat cycling path along the river with minimal cars, only connecting to the road in a few short stretches. What I discovered: Heading north (e.g., towards the Water Palace) or towards Saxon Switzerland is a great way to clear your head.
- The Water Palace is a stop well worth the effort. So is the Beer Garden on the other side of the river. 🙂
➡️ How did our trip on the scooter along the Elbe turn out? Find all the details here: Dresden: Discover the Water Palace by Scooter along the Elbe
⛰️ By Train and Scooter to Bad Schandau
A completely unique experience was the trip to Bad Schandau and the gorges of Saxon Switzerland. Of course, we took a wrong turn, of course, we discovered paths that maybe no human had set foot on for a month, and of course, we discovered one of the most beautiful and adrenaline-pumping gorges in the entire area.
It was only after half an hour of climbing down that we realized a tram was running in the adjacent valley.
How we nearly started praying (even with a hole in my shoe) you can read here: Saxon Switzerland: Bad Schandau and Scooter: The Puzzling Case of the Lost Gorge
👑 Meissen: Baroque Beyond the Baroque (Day Trip)
If you have half a day, the Royal City of Meissen is a fantastic choice.
- Porcelain and the Middle Ages: Meissen stunned us with its medieval atmosphere and famous porcelain production. Especially the prices.
- My Perspective: Here too, we took our scooters but mostly pushed them in the centre. Wandering the cobblestone streets and finding the best viewpoints was the best ‘hike’ in the city for me.
➡️ Want to know where to find the most beautiful views of Meissen? Read: Dresden: Through the Royal City of Meissen with a Scooter on the Cobblestones
Practical and Personal Tips for Travel to Dresden
As an active traveller, here are my verified insights for a smooth journey:
- Transport: If you’re bringing a scooter, using the trains is ideal. The Metropolitan train stops at the main station and in Neustadt. It’s comfortable, and you save a ton of hassle with city parking. Trains, scooters, and boats will take you everywhere, and you’ll get to know the city like no one else. Plus, the very affordable Saxon daily train ticket allows you to travel +/- 40 km from the city almost for free all day, from Saxon Switzerland to Meissen.
- Accommodation: Altstadt is the centre, but if you’re looking for life and excitement, Neustadt (especially around Alaunstrasse) is much more vibrant, adrenaline-fueled, and significantly cheaper. A great choice.
- Dining Tip (My Personal Favourite): Did you know that Dresden is home to the CAMONDAS Chocolate Museum and also the Molkerei Pfund, allegedly the most beautiful dairy shop in the world?
Dresden: Itinerary, Tips for Day Trips
Dresden won’t let you sit still. It’s not just about Instagram photos for tourists. From my travels, I know it’s a city that offers space for everyone who wants to be active. I hope this itinerary, created based on my personal experiences and recommendations, helps you plan your trip.
If you enjoyed our journal and are drawn to active discovery and movement, don’t forget to check out our other travel journals from Slovakia and Europe.
