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Dresden

Dresden, often known as the "Jewel Box" for its rich collection of stunning Baroque architecture, is located in the eastern part of Germany, near the Czech border. Apart from being vibrant and culturally rich, it's renowned for its historic landmarks and a historic old town, displaying awe-inspiring structures like the Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace, and Semperoper Dresden. It's crowned by the top-tier Dresden State Art Collections, which includes not just paintings but also prints, sculptures, textiles, and photography. Moreover, the city is famous for its traditional Christmas markets and the bustling nightlife in the Neustadt district. With its picturesque setting along the Elbe River, Dresden is undoubtedly a must-visit city when touring Germany.

3.3 /5

Based on 4 experiences

3.9 /5

Based on our research

4.2 /5

Based on safety reports

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Safety:Very safe

Dresden is generally safe for solo female travelers. Still, do remember that safeness often depends on your actions and precautions. Although crime is rare, it's important to stay alert in crowded places to avoid pickpocketing. Stick to well-lit, busy areas at night and always be aware of your surroundings. Public transport is reliable and safe to use. Locals are friendly and willing to help, but it's a good idea to have basic knowledge of German, as not everyone speaks English.

Transport:Easy

Dresden is fairly comfortable to navigate. The city boasts a robust public transport network including trams, buses, and bicycles for rent, making getting around simple and cost-effective. Its compact size also makes exploring by foot a viable and enjoyable option. However, occasional language barriers and initial familiarity with the transportation system may pose minor challenges.

Things to do:Interesting

Dresden is a vibrant city with a rich history and an incredible architectural landscape. There are numerous museums and galleries to explore, including the immersive Green Vault and the Old Masters Picture Gallery. Dresden is also known for its beautiful baroque style architecture like the Frauenkirche Dresden and Zwinger, both exquisite sites for photography. Outdoor enthusiasts can take scenic strolls alongside the Elbe river, or tour the city on bike. There are many unique shops and boutiques for those interested in shopping, and the city's culinary scene is an exciting mix of traditional Saxon cuisine and international fare. For evenings, there's a diverse selection of entertainment, from opera and ballet to live music.

Food:Above average

Dresden offers a significant variety of food that caters to many different tastes. Traditional German cuisine is prevalent and diversified, such as the delicious Sauerbraten, Bratwurst or Pretzels. Additionally, it also hosts a range of international cuisine like Italian, Turkish, Asian and more. Vegan and vegetarian options are increasingly available in the city's dining outlets. So, irrespective of your dietary preferences and tastes, you can find something suitable. While the quality and diversity are commendable, it does fall a tad short of what bigger cosmopolitan cities may offer, impacting its score a bit.

Budget:Moderate

Dresden is moderately affordable. Accommodation and food can be found at reasonable prices, particularly if you opt for homelike stays and local cuisine. However, expect higher prices for attractions and cultural experiences, which are famed highlights of the city.

Overall rating

3.3 /5

based on 4 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

3.7/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

3.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.5/5

Sandra (28)

Japan

Solo travel experience

Dresden was an interesting mix of bustling and quiet. I visited specifically for the christmas market. It is exciting enough but nothing to write home about. Maybe i didn’t go the right market. The city itself was wonderful. So much to do and see. The museums were spectacular and affordable to get into. I especially enjoy the porcelain museum (Porzellansammlung). I almost didn’t go because my phone was dying and I was cold but after warming up a bit and charging my phone, I entered the most impressive museum I had seen in a while. Most of the to-do things were close to each other and walkable. The trams also ran along the attraction, so getting around was easy. Places I enjoyed Zwinger Palace. The sculptures around were nice to look at. When I went the main ground was under construction so no water fountain but it was still very beautiful to walk around. Frauenkirche (Church),- outside was magnificent, so was inside. The ceiling art is worth visiting for. Dresdner Molkerei Gebrüder Pfund - it was a fun shop to visit. I am glad instagram recommended it. As a POC solo traveler I felt safe enough. The sun sets early in December but I wasn't worried about walking back to my hotel alone. My hotel was next to a christmas market so maybe the bustling street felt less scary. During the day, I felt safe but around touristy areas I was stared at a lot by field trip groups. One group even taunted me. There were alot of high school age students on field trips. I am not sure if some of them were visiting from other countries but they stared the most. Dresden has black residents that is why I suspect they might not be local. Who knows. Apart from the taunt nothing else negative happened. I stay at a chain hotel (Ibis Dresden Zentrum). It was very centrally located. Close to the main station, tram line, christmas market and major attraction.

Posted: March 19, 2024Experienced: November, 2023

Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5

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Izabella (26)

United States

Solo travel experience

I visited Dresden solo for 3 days and felt super safe the entirety of my trip although I was mostly out during daylight. I took the train in and used public transportation to get around which was easy and got me everywhere I needed to. I stayed at Lollis Homestay, a cozy hostel in the Neustadt neighborhood close to plenty of bars and restaurants. The Frauenkirche church in the city center is breathtaking inside and a must see. The Molkerei Pfund dairy shop was so crowded but beautiful and necessary for me to see as a fan of The Grand Budapest Hotel. I also rented a bike a couple of times and rode through some nice big parks in the city.

Posted: February 28, 2024Experienced: April, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

Really nice if small city, lots to do and beautiful to walk around. Felt very safe, lots of good veggie food options too. I stayed in Lollis home stay hostel with was very social, would recommend for solo travellers!

Posted: October 24, 2023Experienced: October, 2023

Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Meet local women in Dresden who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.

Mathilda

About Me

Hello, I am Mathilda and want to travel the world to visit as many places as possible. Would love to meet new people, get to know to travel buddies so we can plan trips together and find friends for couch surfing so travelling is also as cheap as possible. I love hiking, rock climbing and board games and of course advantures. Right now I am in Finland for a volunteering year so if you are interested in showing me around, do a little backpacking trip in the national parks or simply spend time together, please text me :) I look forward to it

Speaking

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Bianca

About Me

Hey, I’m Bianca from Germany and this year I travel around Asia ^^ I.G; biancasxxgxr

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Stay with local women in Dresden who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.