Hotel Amadeus Dresden

The world of the GDR

The DDR Museum in the Simmel-Center is one of the city's most popular attractions. The museum is spread over four floors, each of which is dedicated to a particular theme, such as work, home, electronics and vehicles. The museum is private and unlike many state-owned DDR museums, Die Welt der DDR offers the unique chaotic charm of a small-scale private collection. The museum offers everything from an impressive collection of Trabants to a detailed timeline of the Cold War.

Kennel

Like about 80% of Dresden, the Zwinger was destroyed by Allied bombing between 13 and 15 February 1945. But the palace was rebuilt in the late 1950s. The Zwinger is probably Germany's most famous Baroque building, filled with beautiful paintings that can be enjoyed in the Zwinger Museum, among other places. The paintings were hidden in the Soviet Union during the war and later returned to the city. One of the main attractions is the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister museum, which houses works by Raphael, Giorgione and Titian. Also visit the Armoury, which has an impressive collection of old weapons and battle armour.

The Zwinger also houses a very famous porcelain exhibition and here the Chinese and Japanese collections are of particular note.

Semperoper

The Semperoper is Dresden's opera house, built in 1841 by architect Gottfried Semper. The opera house has been rebuilt too many times, first after the fire of 1864, then after the Allied bombing campaigns of 1945 and most recently in 2002 after the great and devastating floods of central Europe.

The Opera House has many premieres to its credit, including works by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. If there are music-loving members of your family, see if there are tickets for sale in the impressive building.

Frauenkirche

The beautiful church was unfortunately destroyed in 1945 as a result of one of the most violent aerial bombardments during WWII. It burnt down in the ensuing firestorm. However, the Frauenkirche was reborn in 2005 after a lengthy restoration, begun in 1994.

According to history, a church should have stood on the same spot since the year 1000, but the original Frauenkirche dates from the 18th century and was completed and ready for use in 1743. The church was designed by the architect George Bähr, who unfortunately never saw it completed as he died in 1738.

The church's huge dome became a landmark for the city and has seen a bit of everything, including being bombed by the Prussian army in 1760 without being damaged, and then the church was also the centre of the May Uprising in 1849.

Striezel market

Striezelmarkt is the oldest and largest Christmas market in Germany and was first mentioned back in 1434. The Christmas market is named after the local Christmas cake, Strietzel. A huge experience for both children and adults with many highlights such as the Pflaumentoffelhaus, the Knusperhaus, the Christmas bakery and at the same time several music events are held. Especially in the days leading up to Christmas Eve, various celebrations are held and the Stollenfest, on 5 December, is a particular attraction with the giant Stollen Christmas cake being transported from the Zwinger to the Striezelmarkt, in Dresden city centre, by horse-drawn carriage and then cut up and distributed to the many attendees amid great festivity. Enjoy a glass of warm Glühwein, some Christmas cake or fragrant chestnuts, but don't forget to sink your teeth into the famous Christstollen Christmas cake.

The Three Castles on the Elbe

Just 3 km east of the centre of Dresden you will find the three stunning castles on the Elbe. Schloss Albrechtsberg, Lingnerschloss and Schloss Eckberg are known as the three castles on the Elbe and they are a great visit while strolling along the river. If you cross to the other side of the river you can enjoy the castles at their best. All three were built between 1850 and 1861 and are set in fine English-style parkland.

Moritzburg

This hunting lodge's impressive 16th-century architecture, built in beautiful harmony with the stunning surrounding countryside, makes Moritzburg a fabulous destination. The baroque hunting lodge is particularly famous for having been used in the 1973 film "Three Nuts for Cinderella".

But Moritzburg has much more to offer. Visit, for example, probably the smallest castle in Saxony. Within walking distance of the hunting lodge is Fasanenschölsschen with its lighthouse. Also take a walk in the "Abenteuerpark", which offers among other things a game reserve, archery and a climbing area.

Radeberg

Whether it's the culinary, the cultural or the beautiful scenery that attracts you most on holiday, you'll find it all in the small town of Radeberg, perfectly located just outside the cultural city of Dresden. Among other things, you can take an exciting tour of the local brewery, Radeberger Exportbier Brewery, or you can choose to take a closer look at some of the local production, of which they are very proud in the area. Among the larger producers where you can get an insight into production are Radeberger Destillation und Liquerfabrik and Radeberger Fleisch- und Wurstwaren Korch GmbH.

In Radeberger you can experience the best of the beautiful nature in the area. The Hüttertal valley is the ideal place for any nature lover who enjoys hiking in nature. The Botanical Garden focuses on the senses, while the Dresden Heath Forest invites you to enjoy pleasant bike rides, while you can take advantage of cross-country skiing during the winter.

Radeberg's cultural highlight is without comparison Klippenstein Castle, the oldest building in the city. The castle offers a wealth of cultural experiences, often including exciting presentations and experiences for children. Also take the opportunity to visit the Radeberger Biertheater's Sächsische Mundarttheater in the Hotel Kaiserhof, where there is a variety of entertainment for the whole family.

Meissen

With more than 1,000 years of history, Meißen has plenty to explore, making it an ideal destination for a cheap car holiday in Germany. Already on the way to Meißen you get an impression of the area's beauty with the vineyards in the Elbe valley.

A visit to the former Albrechtsburg Palace, the adjacent cathedral or the first European porcelain factory is a must for history buffs and culture lovers. Linger and enjoy the many small cafés and restaurants in the historic old town, or relax with a lovely walk along the banks of the Elbe.

Christmas market in Dresden

Dates.
The Striezelmarkt - 26.11. – 24.12.
Dresden Winter Lights Market - Dates: 26.11. - 23.12.
Augustusmarkt - Dates: 26.11. - 04.01.
The Christmas Market on the Neumarkt - Dates: 26.11. – 04.01.

Opening hours
The Striezelmarkt - 10.00-21.00
Dresden Winter Lights Market - Sun-Thu: 11.00-20.00 Fri-Sat: 10.00-21.00
Augustusmarkt - Mon-Thu: 11.00-21.00 Fri: 11.00-22.00 Sat: 10.00-21.00 Sun: 10.00-21.00
The Christmas Market on the Neumarkt - 11.00-22.00

Please note that dates and opening hours may vary. You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information.

The smell of mulled wine and gingerbread spreads through the baroque city of Dresden when the city's famous Christmas market opens in November and December.

The Christmas market in Dresden is also called Strizelmarkt, which is derived from the name of the famous local dried fruit Christmas cake, Dresdner Stollen. The Christmas market is one of the oldest in Germany and dates back to 1434.

Here you can find genuine traditional crafts from Christmas pyramids to candlesticks from the Erzebirge mountains, while you can also see glassblowers and bakers in action at the market. Every year you can also have the pleasure of seeing the largest step pyramid from the Erzebirge; a Christmas decoration more than 14 metres high.