Sightseeing

In the Saxon capital, many attractions are within walking distance. If you need a short break, you can also explore Dresden by bus and train. Surrounding destinations are easily accessible by train and by water. If you want to go high up, the suspension or funicular railway in the Loschwitz district is a good choice.

Dresden City Tours

Experience Dresden with the beige-and-red double-deckers. With the big city tour, you discover Elbflorenz according to the Hop-on Hop-off principle. With just one ticket, you can get on and off as often as you like throughout the day at 22 stops, or enjoy the entire round trip. A multilingual audio guide provides all important information about the most famous sights of Dresden. In addition, several guided tours and walks are included in the Dresden city tour ticket.

Paddle Steamer Fleet Dresden

The Saxon steamboat tour can now look back on 180 years of history. As early as 1836, the first Dresdeners were transported by steamboat. Then the ″Elbdampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft″ was founded. Before the Second World War, the fleet consisted of 33 ships, which were reduced to eight ships after 1945. 
Today the ships of the “Dampfschifffahrt GmbH & Co. Conti Elbschifffahrt KG” are at the Brühlschen Terrasse. The nine original steamers, also known as the “White Fleet″, are still in use today and form the oldest and largest remaining paddle steamer fleet in the world. In addition to a city tour on the water, a castle tour or a tour in the direction of Saxon Switzerland, the company also offers themed and event-related routes.

Cable Cars Dresden

Dresden has two legendary cable cars: Since 1895, the Dresden funicular has run from the Loschwitz district to the higher Weißer Hirsch district. The Dresden suspension railway is the oldest of its kind in the world and has remained a technical sensation to this day.

A glimpse into the history of the suspension railway
The suspension railway opened on 6 May 1901. It is the oldest of its kind in the world and a technical sensation to this day. The system is based on the overhead monorail principle of the Cologne engineer Eugen Langen. The carriageway girder, on which the rail is mounted, is supported by 32 pendulum supports and one fixed support. The car bodies themselves hang under the rail. The wagons are moved by a pulling rope. The associated hoisting machine is located in the mountain station. It was initially driven by two compound steam engines, but a DC motor has been used since 1909. This one has the cars commute between the mountain and valley stations. In 2011 the popular destination celebrated its 110th birthday.

Insider tip: The Panorama Lift
In 2001 the tower of the nacelle was made accessible as a viewing platform. With the Panorama Lift, visitors can comfortably climb the tower, from where they can enjoy an incomparable view over the entire Dresden Elbe Valley. Visitors interested in technology can admire the historic drive machine at work during a guided tour and learn many details about the railway.

A glimpse into the history of the funicular railway
Since 1895, the Dresden funicular has been running from the Loschwitz district to the higher Weißer Hirsch district. Initially, this route was only intended to create a link between the city centre and the newly founded residential area of Weißer Hirsch. After the construction of a sanatorium, this part of the town became a well-known health resort. Today, the funicular railway has established itself as an important tourist attraction in Dresden. Even the funicular itself, which has been a listed building since 1984, is worth a look.

The scenic surroundings make the funicular ride a special experience. During the ascent, the railway winds its way through picturesque nature and two short tunnels and over a 102-metre-long bridge viaduct. From the mountain station, the visitor has a wonderful view over the Elbe Valley and the Dresden city area. The nearby excursion restaurant ″Luisenhof not only is the ideal starting point for a walk through the villa district at the Weißen Hirsch, but also invites you to a cosy stop.

Railway and light railway rides

In 1883, the 26.3km long railway line of the Weißeritztalbahn from Freital-Hainsberg, via Dippoldiswalde, to the spa town of Kipsdorf in the Erzgebirge Mountains was completed. The small station for the locomotives is less than 15km south of the Dresden city centre and right next to the nature reserve of the Rabenauer Grund. This will present you with a dreamlike landscape on the journey, where you can completely enjoy the nature. After a few stops, you will reach the Malter stop, where you can find a water barrier that invites you to swim and relax. 

In 1884, just one year later, the Lößnitzgrundbahn was opened. Covering 16km, it runs from Radebeul via Moritzburg to the small town of Radeburg. The narrow-gauge line follows the Lößnitzbach, a minor river of the Elbe, and crosses the Lößnitzgrund. Here you can experience the landscape of a 50-metre-deep riverbed valley and take in the atmosphere for as long as you like.
The Kirnitzschtalbahn has also been running in the surrounding area since 1898. The railway tracks, which are just under 8km long, run from the Kneipp-health and relaxation resort of Bad Schandau to the Lichtenhain waterfall. Along the Saxon Switzerland, you will be surrounded by unique, heavenly nature.

Don't let yourself be held back from getting off at any stop on your trips and exploring the fantastic landscape with more intensity.

You want to explore Dresden by land or water? Our concierge will be happy to advise you and will, of course, assist you in planning your day in Dresden or reserving your tickets.