Private Walking Tour of Dresden's Historic Old Town
Private tour of Dresden’s history and culture — from the Saxon electors and baroque architecture to WWII destruction and postwar reconstruction — on a walk through the Old Town and along the Elbe riverfront. The route can include Neumarkt and the Frauenkirche, the Fürstenzug, Dresden Castle, the Zwinger Palace, and the Semperoper, but can always be customized to your pace and interests.

Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English, Polish, German (check the calendar for availability)
Price
From 230€ per group
Meeting point
Martin Luther Statue at the Neumarkt Nearest public transport: to be confirmed
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Dresden guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
Booking rules
Die vollständige Zahlung ist im Voraus per Banküberweisung oder Online-Kartenzahlung (EUR/PLN) spätestens 48 Stunden vor der Tour erforderlich. Stornierungen bis 96 Stunden vor der Tour sind kostenlos, zwischen 96 und 48 Stunden fallen 50 % an, und später oder bei Nichterscheinen wird der volle Preis berechnet.
About the tour
Dresden, beautifully set at the river Elbe, is one of Germany’s most wonderful cities, with the famous porcelain-like, baroque architecture dominating its silhouette. Fittingly, the capital of Saxony hides a grandiose history of princes and kings, but also its fair share of tragedies.
Elbe is often described as the line dividing the Germanic and Slavic civilizations of old – we would argue and claim that it actually connects them, and you can feel that in Dresden. The city was once a small Slavic settlement and so its name sounds very familiar to anyone speaking Czech, Slovak, Polish or Sorbian. A small village turned into a city built around a castle in the 13th century and grew into one of the most important trading centers of the region at the end of the Middle Ages. One of the sources of its prosperity was silver and lead mined in the nearby Rudavy mountains. It was also then, at the end of the 15th century, when Dresden was elevated to become the seat of the Holy Roman Empire’s prince-electors. But it wasn’t until the early 1700s, when it really started to shine. It was then when the Saxon princes of the Wettin dynasty were elected Kings of Poland and Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Dresden gained its almost imperial grandeur. Zwinger Palace, Frauenkirche and the redesigned Dresden Castle are only a few pearls among dozens of baroque structures adorning the panorama.
Yet, it was not to last forever. The events of the 20th century, Nazi domination and subsequent World War 2 left the city famously bombed to the point beyond recognition. However, unlike many of its Western German counterparts, the city centre of Dresden was painstakingly restored using old techniques and design elements and now, together with Warsaw, it stands as the most impressive example of historical reconstructions in Europe. So much so that while walking along its cobbled streets, you might not even notice that it’s all… new.
On our tour, we will present you with the history of the city and its current lively face. We will be sure to make you understand how the Germanic organization merged with Slavic hopeless romanticism to form one of a kind Central European fusion.
Today, Dresden is a leading tourism and educational hub and attracts visitors from Germany and abroad. A short ride from Prague and Berlin helps to plan it as a short weekend trip, but it can also be a base to discover the beauty of Saxony with the nearby Bautzen, the centre of the Sorbian culture or Meisen, famous for its medieval old town and porcelain.
Contact us in order to get more information about our private offer including prices , dates and booking rules.
Highlights
- 1
Zwinger Palace
Ornate baroque palace and art museum, a key symbol of Dresden's imperial grandeur.
- 2
Frauenkirche
Iconic Lutheran church, famously destroyed in WWII and rebuilt as a symbol of reconciliation.
- 3
Procession of Princes
A stunning mural made of Meissen porcelain tiles depicting the rulers of Saxony.
- 4
Dresden Castle
One of the city's oldest buildings, a former residence for electors and kings.
- 5
Brühl's Terrace
A historic riverside promenade nicknamed "The Balcony of Europe" with stunning Elbe views.
- 6
Semperoper
The grand opera house of the Saxon State Opera, known for its beautiful architecture.
- 7
Hofkirche
The city's Catholic Cathedral, which also served as the royal court church of Saxony.
- 8
Altmarkt Square
Dresden's historic old market square, home to the Kreuzkirche and famous Christmas markets.
Map
Martin Luther Statue at the Neumarkt Nearest public transport: to be confirmed