The Best Day Trips From Dresden

The city of Dresden, perched on the shore of the River Elbe, is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, with a treasure trove of art and architecture that can keep travelers happy for days. However, the city is surrounded by fantastic locations that are also worth a stop. Here is our top pick of awesome day-trip options.

Saxon Switzerland National Park

The magnificent expanse of Saxon Switzerland National Park lies just 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of Dresden. This park rewards travelers with views of imposing sandstone rock formations towering over the River Elbe, the Lilienstein mountain, Koenigstein fortress, and gorgeous wilderness as far as the eyes can see. However, the most famous landmark of this national park, and one of the most photographed sites in the country, is the Bastei Bridge connecting the massive rocks. The romantic town of Pirna and the spa town of Bad Schaundau are two extremely popular stops in the park. At the end of the day, if you are not ready to leave this piece of paradise, consider staying overnight in one of the hotels.

Leipzig

Moritzburg Castle

Moritzburg Castle sits pretty on an artificial island around eight miles (13 kilometers) from Dresden. This castle, built in the 1500s, is open for public tours. The interior never fails to amaze visitors with its walls wrapped in gold-gilded leather and ornate baroque decorations. The lush symmetric French gardens surrounding the castle and the smaller pink Pheasant Castle nearby are worth exploring as well.

Meissen

Meissen is a romantic, picturesque little town about 16 miles (25 kilometers) away from Dresden. The most notable landmarks in Meissen are the Gothic Albrechtsburg Castle, Frauenkirche (“Church of Our Lady”) and the charming old town. Meissen is also known for its porcelain and ceramics production. During your visit, don’t miss the pretty porcelain bells at the Frauenkirche.

Görlitz

Görlitz, 68 miles (110 kilometers) from Dresden, is a historic river town famous for its stunning gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture. The most well-known sites in Görlitz are the beautifully preserved old town, St Peter and Paul’s Church, St Marienthal Abbey, and Fat Tower. Görlitz also has a number of interesting museums and a zoo. Travelers interested in squeezing as many of the landmarks as possible within a day might consider joining one of the city tours.

Burg Stolpen

Located less than 19 miles (30 kilometers) from Dresden, the 800-year-old Stolpen Castle is a must-visit. Visitors will learn about the tragic story of Countess Cosel, who was imprisoned in this castle for 49 years, not unlike a fairy-tale princess. While touring the castle, visitors also get to find out about the Stolpen basalt on which the castle is founded.

Radebeul

Radebeul, only seven miles (12 kilometers) from Dresden, is a must-visit for wine connoisseurs. The quaint town has been famous for its viticulture since the 1300s, and today it is still rich in lush vineyards. Visitors can tour wineries and sip on some great wine. Schloss Wackerbarth is the most popular stop for wine enthusiasts. The Karl May Museum and the DDR Museum are also definitely worth exploring for a dose of culture and history.

Bautzen

Bautzen, on the shore of the River Spree, is 31 miles (50 kilometers) away from Dresden and is a popular day-trip destination. This pretty town has a lot of interesting architecture, including Ortenburg Castle, Alt Wasserkunst, and St Peter’s Cathedral. Saurierpark Kleinwelka adventure park, boasting of life-size dinosaurs, climbing frames, slides, and ropes, is invariably a big hit with children.

Seiffen

The 14th-century town of Seiffen is nestled in the Ore Mountains and is 40 miles (65 kilometers) from Dresden. Seiffen, affectionately referred to as the “Toy Village,” is known for its varied and beautiful handicrafts. It is especially famous for its wood carving, though a large number of people are involved in lace-making and weaving. It is one of the best places in Germany to purchase authentic, traditional Christmas ornaments and decorations, like wooden nutcrackers, candle arches, Christmas carousels, and more. The Toy Museum is a delightful place that travelers can’t afford to miss while in Seiffen.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.