13 Activities
Journey Around Dresden: Exploring Saxony's Castle Heritage
Starts from
Dresden
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
13
Duration
12 hours
Length
26 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Dresden
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
26 mi
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Explore the castles of Saxony.
- Discover the history of 300-year-old “white gold” in Germany’s oldest porcelain factory.
- Enjoy a local culinary experience at traditional Saxon restaurants.
This route takes you through some of Saxon's castles hiding an intriguing history from porcelain production to torture chambers. Dive into how Meissen became Europe's first porcelain manufacturer and how it still is among the finest today.
Wander through vibrant old towns colored with old pastel Renaissance houses, historical statues, and squares where you will feel the medieval times still being alive across the ancient cobblestoned streets. It is time to treat yourself to delectable local cuisine in a historical building to really dive into Saxon with all your senses.
Round off the day with the warm street lights cascading over cobbled streets meandering through historical houses, ancient towers, and busy, enchanting squares.
Wander through vibrant old towns colored with old pastel Renaissance houses, historical statues, and squares where you will feel the medieval times still being alive across the ancient cobblestoned streets. It is time to treat yourself to delectable local cuisine in a historical building to really dive into Saxon with all your senses.
Round off the day with the warm street lights cascading over cobbled streets meandering through historical houses, ancient towers, and busy, enchanting squares.
Categories
This route takes you through some of Saxon's castles hiding an intriguing history from porcelain production to torture chambers. Dive into how Meissen became Europe's first porcelain manufacturer and how it still is among the finest today.
Wander through vibrant old towns colored with old pastel Renaissance houses, historical statues, and squares where you will feel the medieval times still being alive across the ancient cobblestoned streets. It is time to treat yourself to delectable local cuisine in a historical building to really dive into Saxon with all your senses.
Round off the day with the warm street lights cascading over cobbled streets meandering through historical houses, ancient towers, and busy, enchanting squares.
Wander through vibrant old towns colored with old pastel Renaissance houses, historical statues, and squares where you will feel the medieval times still being alive across the ancient cobblestoned streets. It is time to treat yourself to delectable local cuisine in a historical building to really dive into Saxon with all your senses.
Round off the day with the warm street lights cascading over cobbled streets meandering through historical houses, ancient towers, and busy, enchanting squares.
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Explore the castles of Saxony.
- Discover the history of 300-year-old “white gold” in Germany’s oldest porcelain factory.
- Enjoy a local culinary experience at traditional Saxon restaurants.
Day Itinerary
13 Activities
Day 1
26 mi4 mi
A Road Trip Through Medieval Saxony
The free state of Saxony is lavish in history and features some of Germany's finest castles.
Get ready for a day jam-packed with history and culture, diving deep into both the wealth and the medieval torture chambers that Saxony's castles hide behind their seemingly fairytale walls.
This itinerary also includes scrumptious local flavors at some of the most quintessential restaurants in the area.
Get ready for a day jam-packed with history and culture, diving deep into both the wealth and the medieval torture chambers that Saxony's castles hide behind their seemingly fairytale walls.
This itinerary also includes scrumptious local flavors at some of the most quintessential restaurants in the area.
09:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
The first thing you will notice when entering Meissen is the Burberg (Castle Hill) where the cathedral and Germany's oldest castle, Albrechtsburg, tower above the river.
You can park here or along the riverfront to have a short walk up the stairs to the castle. Alternatively, there is a multi-level car park below the castle in Meissastrasse where you can take an elevator straight to the castle.
You can park here or along the riverfront to have a short walk up the stairs to the castle. Alternatively, there is a multi-level car park below the castle in Meissastrasse where you can take an elevator straight to the castle.
0.4 mi
10 min
09:451 hr 30 min
Albrechtsburg Castle
Castle
Open Details
Also known as "the cradle of Saxon," Albrechtsburg is a must-visit so what better place to start your visit to Meissen? The late gothic-style castle was inhabited by Augustus the Strong who also was the one who wanted to crack the code of the expensively imported Chinese porcelain. Before the castle, there was a wooden fortress protecting the town on the hilltop.
The museum covers architecture, the Albrechtsburg as a residential seat and a production site for porcelain, how life might have looked like in the castle, and a "painted picture book" showcasing the history of the dynasty.
The museum covers architecture, the Albrechtsburg as a residential seat and a production site for porcelain, how life might have looked like in the castle, and a "painted picture book" showcasing the history of the dynasty.
0.4 mi
10 min
11:3045 min
Meissen Cathedral
Church
Open Details
Towering on Burberg Hill together with the Albrechtsburg Castle, Meissen cathedral is a natural next visit. Take in the impressive Gothic structure that was started built in 1260 and not finished before 150 years later.
Walk through the cathedral to admire the architecture and appreciate the bronze monument on Frederick I's tomb and the imposing statues of the founders of the Meissen parish, the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I and his wife Adelaide of Burgundy.
You may book your tickets in advance online.
Then continue on foot to the porcelain manufactory and museum.
Walk through the cathedral to admire the architecture and appreciate the bronze monument on Frederick I's tomb and the imposing statues of the founders of the Meissen parish, the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I and his wife Adelaide of Burgundy.
You may book your tickets in advance online.
Then continue on foot to the porcelain manufactory and museum.
0.9 mi
20 min
12:4545 min
State Porcelain Manufactory
Museum
Open Details
The State Porcelain Manufactory Museum is where you can follow all the stages of the porcelain production. The visit also includes a demonstration workshop where you will learn how the pieces are hand-painted and glazed.
In the museum itself, you can amaze at 300-year-old porcelain exhibited in all its splendour. So take care not to brush the edges with your bag or jacket and make anything fall down and break.
An audio tour around the demonstration workshops and a self-guided visit to the museum awaits you.
If you have enough time to stick around a little longer, you can book tours and excursions online in advance.
Afterwards, head to the historic Market Square to have lunch at the rustic Ratskeller restaurant.
In the museum itself, you can amaze at 300-year-old porcelain exhibited in all its splendour. So take care not to brush the edges with your bag or jacket and make anything fall down and break.
An audio tour around the demonstration workshops and a self-guided visit to the museum awaits you.
If you have enough time to stick around a little longer, you can book tours and excursions online in advance.
Afterwards, head to the historic Market Square to have lunch at the rustic Ratskeller restaurant.
0.7 mi
15 min
13:451 hr
Ratskeller
Restaurant
Open Details
Since 1475, this historical Ratskeller restaurant has been situated in the city's Town Hall offering a succulent culinary experience filled with high-quality regional dishes. For the ones not driving, they serve a wide range of locally produced beers and Saxon wines to accompany the meal.
In the summer months, you can sit outside on the terrace enjoying the lively square and in winter, you can cuddle up inside soaking in the homely ambiance.
As the restaurant is a popular one, you may book a table in advance on the website.
If you get the time before or after lunch, take a peek inside the unique Frauenkiche, Church of Our Lady, that's also situated on the square.
In the summer months, you can sit outside on the terrace enjoying the lively square and in winter, you can cuddle up inside soaking in the homely ambiance.
As the restaurant is a popular one, you may book a table in advance on the website.
If you get the time before or after lunch, take a peek inside the unique Frauenkiche, Church of Our Lady, that's also situated on the square.
0.5 mi
10 min
15:005 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Go back to the car park, pick up your faithful metal friend and continue exploring Saxony.
13.6 mi
25 min
15:3045 min
Nossen Castle
Castle
Open Details
Opposed to Albrechtsburg Castle, Nossen Castle hides a dark history once you enter behind the seeming fairytale walls. Get ready for getting the chills as you walk through old holding cells and explore different instruments that were once used to torture inmates.
Throughout its times, Nossen Castle has been used as a Knight's castle, abbey, and hunting lodge, so there are centuries of history to experience behind its walls.
Throughout its times, Nossen Castle has been used as a Knight's castle, abbey, and hunting lodge, so there are centuries of history to experience behind its walls.
12.1 mi
25 min
17:155 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Freiberg is the underrated mining town. Holding one of Saxony's best-preserved old towns, it is the perfect place to go for an evening stroll and dinner.
Park at this 24-hour parking, which leaves you right at the square in front of Freiberg's castle.
Park at this 24-hour parking, which leaves you right at the square in front of Freiberg's castle.
0.1 mi
5 min
17:3030 min
Freudenstein Castle
Castle
Open Details
Take a journey back to the 16th century and explore Freudenstein Castle, where history comes alive in its Romanesque round tower, Renaissance stairs and vaulted rooms. There is also one of the world's most beautiful mineral exhibitions with over 3,500 precious stones from five continents that will captivate people of all ages!
However, the castle may be closed by the time you arrive, but you should see it from the outside, walk around the square and take photos. It's a charming place in the city.
However, the castle may be closed by the time you arrive, but you should see it from the outside, walk around the square and take photos. It's a charming place in the city.
0.4 mi
10 min
18:1530 min
Albertpark
Park
Open Details
Stroll through Albertpark on your way to Obermarkt. The park is a nice distraction on an otherwise jam-packed day.
Take in the birds singing and the water cascading from the fountains in this pleasant green space before walking through the old town toward your dinner.
Take in the birds singing and the water cascading from the fountains in this pleasant green space before walking through the old town toward your dinner.
0.3 mi
10 min
19:0015 min
Obermarkt
Plaza
Open Details
The Upper Market (Obermarkt) is separated from Freiberg Cathedral by a row of houses. The seemingly moderate Gothic church is richly adorned on the inside and especially famous for its organ.
Freiburg's Obermarkt is a charming marketplace full of centuries-old architectures and local traditions. Celebrate this city as you wander past St. Peter's Church, built 800 years ago; marvel at the Lorenz Chapel and Freiburg’s Clock Tower - all with historic significance. Make sure to explore the fountain monument in its centre too!
Freiburg's Obermarkt is a charming marketplace full of centuries-old architectures and local traditions. Celebrate this city as you wander past St. Peter's Church, built 800 years ago; marvel at the Lorenz Chapel and Freiburg’s Clock Tower - all with historic significance. Make sure to explore the fountain monument in its centre too!
0.4 mi
10 min
19:3010 min
Donat Tower
Landmark
Open Details
On the way to get dinner, walk past the Donatsturm. The round 15-century tower is a striking remnant of the medieval fortification of the Ore mountains.
0.2 mi
5 min
19:451 hr 30 min
Am Schüppchenberg
Restaurant
Open Details
There are several restaurants to choose from, but if you like potato dishes, a local favorite not to miss out on is the Kartoffelhaus, set in the most charming little house with a cozy and homely atmosphere. And only a few minutes' walk from Donatsturm.