A local's guide to Dresden — and one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets

What makes Dresden's Christmas markets unique?

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is a little bit different from other Christmas markets around the world – vendors are only allowed to sell products there when they have a traditional craft work. And, in addition to shopping, travellers should make sure to look for the decorations on top of the vendor booths – you’ll see animatronic figures baking bread, playing guitar and doing other activities. Just walking around the market and looking up at the decorations is a little adventure.

In addition to the Striezelmarkt, we have themed Christmas markets around the city – for example, there’s a Finnish village-themed market, a Middle Ages-themed market, and a market near the Frauenkirche that’s meant to feel like it’s taking place during the late 1800s.

What are the essential foods to try at a Dresden Christmas market? 

When you come to Dresden during the Christmas season, you must taste the Stollen, a sweet bread with raisins and dusted with powdered sugar. Just go from bakery to bakery, tasting different types of Stollen, and buy the one you like the most.

We also have a specific type of gingerbread called Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen. The recipe is very old, dating back about 500 years or so – almost to the Middle Ages.

What’s a classic souvenir you can buy at a Dresden Christmas market? 

Buy a small, painted figure made of wood – this is a traditional craft from the mountains of Saxony, going back to the 1700s. 

Describe your perfect day in Dresden

I wake up – not too early in the morning – and I walk through the Baroque quarter of Dresden to Caféklatsch. It's a great cafe with a very good breakfast. Afterwards, I’ll go for a little walk down to the Elbe, take a seat and relax by the river for a while.

Then, I’ll stop by some art galleries or a museum, and in the afternoon, I’ll enjoy cake and coffee. This is a Saxon thing – we like cake and coffee in the afternoon. And in the evening, I’ll go out in the Outer New Town. I like jazz and indie music, so I’ll go to the Blue Note or the Groovestation and dance. 

Speaking of Dresden’s New Town, what makes it a special place for travellers to visit?

If a traveller comes to Dresden for two days, on the first day, they’ll usually spend time discovering the Old Town. But on the second day, it’s good to walk across the River Elbe to the New Town. 

In general, the Old Town is our representation area, but the New Town is our living area. If you want to meet the locals, then you go to the New Town. There are over 150 bars, restaurants, and cafes there, as well as music clubs. And, if you like street art, then you must go discover the New Town.

What are your favourite restaurants to recommend in Dresden? 

When you visit Dresden, you have to taste the traditional Saxon food. You can go to Sophienkeller, DRESDEN 1900, Freiberger Schankhaus, or Gänsedieb.

You can also find plenty of international and vegan food here, especially in the New Town. 

There are so many beautiful buildings in Dresden. Do you have a favourite?

I have two buildings that are my favourites. The first is Dresden Castle, which has an 800-year history. I love the story behind its reconstruction after World War II, as well as the exhibitions inside.

The second one is the Kulturpalast, which was built in the 1960s. It houses a large concert hall, where the Philharmonie plays, as well as the public library. 

What’s a hidden gem travellers should see while in Dresden?

The Zwinger, a Baroque building that houses several museums, is one of the most famous buildings here in the city. But when you visit, make sure to go inside, to the top floor, where you’ll find a little cafe. It’s not well-known by tourists, and it’s a good place to enjoy a cake and coffee.

At the cafe, you’ll also get a front-row seat to the Zwinger’s Meissen porcelain bells. Just take a seat near them, and every 15 minutes, you’ll see and hear them play a short melody. 

Do you have a favourite train journey from Dresden? 

My favourite train ride is to Saxon Switzerland National Park. Just travel to Saxon Switzerland in the morning, take a hike in the rocky terrain, and go back to Dresden by train. It’s a very nice way to spend some time in nature and only 45 minutes away by train. 

If you had to describe Dresden in one word. What would it be? 

In one word? Beautiful.