Dresden has long been known as the cultural center of Germany. It was here before the war that unique collections of paintings were collected, amazing baroque buildings were built, many scientists and famous creative people lived. The city was often called (and sometimes is still called) "Florence on the Elbe", and all because of the marvelous architecture and the concentration of works of art in it.
The city is located in the eastern part of the country, on the banks of the Elbe River. The first written mention of Dresden appeared at the beginning of the 13th century. It is believed that at that time Slavic settlements lived on the southern bank of the Elbe, which survived by fishing on its banks. These groups of settlers founded the city. Dresden stood apart from the rest of Saxony, until finally joined it in 1422. The rapid development of Dresden took place in the 17th century. Educational institutions were actively built in the city, works of art were collected and created, thanks to which it soon became the cultural center of Europe.
Throughout its existence, the city had to deal with wars and fires, but none of them caused it such damage like bombing during WWII. On February 13, 1945, the Allied aviation, namely the American and British, began an active bombardment of the city. Its result was the almost complete destruction of the city. Some of the old buildings survived only by a miracle. Restoration began only in 1951 and lasted more than 40 years. The Germans scrupulously, stone by stone, restored the appearance of Dresden. But this day will forever be remembered as the most terrible, black day in the history of the city. Some buildings that initially managed to survive remind residents and tourists of those events with the dark color of the walls. Some believe that the reason for this is the soot that has settled on the walls of houses, which appeared due to fires after the bombing. Now, thanks to the common efforts of residents and authorities, the city has acquired its pre-war appearance and never ceases to please the eye with its stunning architecture.
Dresden Landmarks
On the site of the local university you will find a lot of information about the city and the main places to visit.
To the north of the city is the airport formerly known as Dresden-Klotzsche (Flughafen Dresden-Klotzsche). From there, you can get to the center either by bus or on your own in a rented car. If you prefer the second option, then it is advisable to take care of renting a car in advance so that upon arrival in the city the car is already waiting for you. This can be done on the Bookingautos.com website, where you can choose the car option and rental price that suits you.
When you arrive in the city, you should definitely visit Dresden Art Gallery (Theaterplatz, 1). Even if you are not the biggest art lover, you should still look here to see the paintings of famous artists with your own eyes. The pearl of the art gallery is Raphael's Sistine Madonna.
Dresden is divided into the Old and New Towns, which are located on different banks of the Elbe. The old town is located on the left bank, and when you come here, you should definitely take a walk along the embankment with a view of the beautiful architecture of the Renaissance.
Walking along the embankment, go to look at the Frauenkirche - this is the visiting card of the city. A white Protestant church that was built in the 18th century. The church building is located on the main square of Dresden, which was built several centuries earlier.
Two more must-see buildings in Dresden are the Opera House and Zwinger Palace. Both architectural monuments were built in the 18th century and restored after the war. The Zwinger Palace was originally conceived as a greenhouse, but later it was used as an exhibition hall.
Dresden Opera is considered to be one of the most beautiful and famous theaters in Germany.
Where can I go near Dresden?
At a distance of 3 km from Dresden is Saxon Switzerland. This is a national park with viewing platforms that allow you to see rock formations unusual for that region of Europe. In the park, you can go rock climbing or just relax in nature and have a bite of grilled meat and excellent German beer. One of the most recognizable places in the park is the Bastei Bridge.
Local cuisine and restaurants in Dresden
The local cuisine of all Germans has a common feature, the court can also be traced in Dresden - this is their love of meat. Local establishments mainly serve grilled sausages, soups with meat broth, and veal chops. Dresden's most famous dish, which you should definitely try, is spicy roast beef. The Germans marinate meat in a special way before frying, so that it turns out juicy and tasty.
List of the most popular restaurants serving local cuisine (the first two have a Michelin star):
< a href="https://www.genuss-atelier.net" target="_blank">Genuss-Atelier (Augsburger Str. 85, +49 351 65615730);
From 8 am to 8 pm, almost all street parking in Dresden is paid. The price per hour starts from 50 cents, and in the center from 1 euro. Parking places are marked on the streets with signs and near each there is a small gray machine in which you pay for parking yourself, so the time of the walk must be calculated in advance. After paying, the machine will give you a ticket that you need to place behind the windshield.
Another convenient parking option is underground. They are located under almost every hotel and square. First, you leave the car, and payment is made at the exit from the parking lot according to the actual time. Conveniently, such parking lots usually have toilets.
There is a free parking lot near the center where you can safely leave your car without worrying that you will be fined. It is located at Ziegelstraße and is open 24/7.
Monthly price chart: Average price per week of rent
January
€100
February
€99
March
€105
April
€140
May
€126
June
€133
July
€127
August
€149
September
€143
October
€134
November
€108
December
€172
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Dresden is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €24. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Dresden is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €24 for a Compact car.
During the summer months in Dresden there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Audi A3 Convertible will cost you €174.
We have the largest selection of cars in Dresden. What do we offer:
New cars 2024 of the year.
Cars of any class from budget to premium.
A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.
The cost of car rental per day directly depends on the season, car class and rental period. The more days, the cheaper average daily cost. A modest economy car will cost at least €13 per day. In the middle segment, the offer range is €27-€43 per day. Business class car prices start at €71. In the high season, absolutely all rental cars become more expensive, especially rare models and convertibles. So, in summer in Dresden popular with tourists Audi A3 Convertible costs at least €84 per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of VW E-Vision when ordering in Dresden will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Dresden car rental tips
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car in advance
Dresden is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Fiat 500 or Ford Focus. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Renault Megane Estate in Dresden will cost €32 per day.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Check out the fuel policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Dresden, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in Dresden, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Dresden, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Dresden
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
Download the BookingAutos mobile app
Download our mobile app and get access to special offers and discounts in Dresden.
