Dresden is easy to stay in. The historic Old Town on the south bank of the Elbe holds almost all the famous sights within a ten-minute walk, and the Neustadt on the north bank, linked by the Augustus Bridge, is a short walk or tram ride away. The choice comes down to atmosphere and budget: palace grandeur by the castle, the busy squares around the Frauenkirche, the quieter edge of the Old Town by the Altmarkt, or the livelier, younger Neustadt. Here are the areas that work best, and the hotel we would choose in each.
By the castle and the Zwinger: for a royal splurge
The streets between the Residenzschloss, the Zwinger and the Semperoper are the most prestigious address in the city. The Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden occupies the Baroque palace that Augustus the Strong built for Countess Cosel in 1705, directly opposite the castle and the Green Vault, with 180 rooms, 31 suites, an indoor pool and spa and several restaurants and bars. It is the place for a special occasion or a romantic Advent weekend. The trade-off is price, which climbs steeply in December.
The Neumarkt and Frauenkirche: for first-timers
The squares around the Frauenkirche are the busiest and most photogenic part of the Old Town, and staying here puts Brühl’s Terrace, the river and the steamer piers a minute or two away. The Hilton Dresden an der Frauenkirche is the reliable full-service choice, right beside the church, with spa and fitness facilities and good family rooms. A few steps away on the Salzgasse, INNSiDE by Meliá Dresden brings contemporary design, spacious rooms, free saunas and the Twist Bar, with its view of the dome, at mid-range prices. Expect lively evenings and crowds during the Advent market on the Neumarkt.
The Ringstrasse and Altmarkt: for style and the Striezelmarkt
On the southern edge of the Old Town, around the Altmarkt and the Kreuzkirche, the atmosphere is a little more everyday and the trams are close. The Gewandhaus Dresden, Autograph Collection, fills a historic merchants’ hall with bold design, a dry-aged steak restaurant, a cake atelier, the Botanist Bar and an indoor pool. It is the ideal base for Christmas market visitors, with the Striezelmarkt just around the corner.
The Neustadt: for value and local life
Across the river, the Inner Neustadt has Baroque streets, the Japanese Palace and the riverside lawns with the classic view of the Old Town skyline, while the Outer Neustadt further north is the city’s bohemian quarter, full of bars, cafés and street art. Motel One Dresden-Palaisplatz is the budget pick, with compact, well-designed rooms, an Erich Kästner themed lounge and Neustadt station close by for the airport and day trips to Saxon Switzerland. The Old Town is a twenty-minute walk away over the bridge.
Matching base to trip
For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, choose the Taschenbergpalais Kempinski. For a first visit with family, the Hilton. For design and a good bar at a fair price, INNSiDE. For the Christmas markets and a pool, the Gewandhaus. For value, train connections and nightlife, Motel One Palaisplatz.
Practical tips
Book early for the Striezelmarkt weeks from late November and for major summer festivals, when rates rise and the best rooms go first. Check whether breakfast is included, since most of these hotels charge it separately. Parking in the Old Town is limited and charged, so ask before you arrive, or come by train. Dresden adds a local accommodation tax to most stays.
