Culture, architecture, beer gardens, tasty cuisine and lively nightlife - Dresden holidays have a lot to offer. Nestling on the banks of the River Elbe, historic Dresden is packed with lots of things to see and experience, making it an ideal destination for a city break. From the 18th century Frauekirke and Semper Opera House to the Zwinger Palace, Burg Stolpen Fortress and the Moritzburg and Pillintz Castles, baroque and renaissance buildings surround the city. The restored Altmarkt (Old Market Square) is the centre of the city and hosts festival and events throughout the year. Art lovers will enjoy the collections at the new Albertinium Gallery, the Grune Gewoble at Dresden Castle and at the Gemaldegalerie Alter Master. Take a stroll through the Grosser Garten or follow the Elbe Cycle Route through vineyards, meadows and gardens. For retail therapy, you'll discover designer boutiques and niche shops along the Koningstrasse, Pragerstrasse and in the Altmarkt Gallery Shopping Mall. Snowy winter weather sets the festive scene for Dresden's Christmas Market (aka Striezelmarkt). All of this is just a two hour flight away from the UK, making holidays to Dresden perfect for short breaks and long weekends.
You'll be spoilt for choice of things to see and do during a holiday in Dresden. Visit the animals at the zoo in Grosse Garten park or take a ride on the railway or relax in the Botanical Gardens. Take a boat trip on a paddle steamer on the River Elbe. Try your hand at ice skating at the Frieberger Arena in the winter months, or in the summer you can roller-skate in Grosse Garten park. Play beach volleyball or relax in a deckchair on the beach by the River Elbe.
Dresden really comes to life after dark with a bustling nightlife. From trendy cocktail bars to German pubs, from wine bars, Irish pubs and romantic riverside bars to the quirky drinking clubs on Neustadt, you'll find a place to match your nighttime mood. When it comes to live music, there's everything from Salsa and R&B to techno and house music available.
Dresden streets are lined with tasty cafes and restaurants. Local specialities to try include lebkuchen gingerbread, stollen and bratwurst sausages. For international cuisine, you'll find Chinese, Japanese, Thai and American Steak restaurants dotted around the city. Local German wines and beers make the perfect accompaniment to your meal.