Dresden for the active: best attractions and trails for those who love movement
June 11, 2025
Dresden, the capital of Saxony, is not only a city full of monuments and museums. It is also a great place for those who appreciate active recreation and contact with nature. Numerous parks, gardens and green spaces make Dresden an ideal destination for families and those seeking outdoor relaxation. In this article, we'll highlight the best attractions and trails for exercise lovers that will make your stay in Dresden an unforgettable experience full of energy and positive excitement.
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Großer Garten - the green heart of Dresden
Our tour of active Dresden begins with the city's largest and most impressive park, the Großer Garten. This sprawling 1.8 km² area is a true oasis of greenery in the heart of the city, offering countless opportunities for active recreation for the whole family.
Großer Garten is a place where you can spend all day enjoying a variety of activities. The park is perfectly suited for cycling, with numerous bike paths crisscrossing its grounds. You can rent a bike on site or come with your own. For hiking enthusiasts, the park offers miles of scenic paths that lead through a variety of landscapes - from dense forests to open meadows.
One of the park's biggest attractions is the narrow-gauge train that runs throughout the area. This is a great option for families with children or people who want to see the entire park without too much effort. A family ticket (2+4) costs about 14 euros (as of 2023), making it an affordable option for larger groups.
The park is also home to a beautiful Baroque palace, which is well worth seeing while walking around. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article (2023) the palace is under renovation, but even from the outside it is impressive.
For families with children, Großer Garten offers numerous playgrounds scattered throughout the grounds. These are ideal places for a break in activity and a moment of fun for the little ones. In addition, the park has a zoo, which can be a great diversion for a day full of exercise.
Seasonal attractions are worth mentioning - in summer you can rent a boat and swim on the park's ponds, and in winter, if the weather is good, even go ice skating.
Großer Garten is a place that truly has something for everyone. Whether you prefer intense cycling, a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing in nature, this park will meet your needs. It's the perfect place to start or end an active day in Dresden.
Dresden's green gems -. BOT Botanical Garden and Alaunpark
Continuing our tour of active Dresden, we can't leave out two unique places that offer completely different experiences - BOT Botanical Garden and Alaunpark.
The BOT Botanical Garden is a true paradise for nature lovers and quiet strolls. This small but extremely rich botanical garden, managed by the Technische Universität Dresden, offers a fascinating journey through a variety of ecosystems. Admission to the garden is free, making it an excellent option for travelers on a tight budget.
As you stroll through the garden, you can enjoy a rich collection of plants from around the world, gathered in carefully designed greenhouses and outdoor areas. This is an ideal place for an educational tour with children, where you can learn to identify different plant species and learn more about ecology.
BOT Botanical Garden is also a great place for a relaxing stroll. Numerous benches placed at strategic points allow you to relax and contemplate the beauty of nature. The garden is especially picturesque in spring and summer, when most of the plants are in full bloom.
Alaunpark, on the other hand, offers a completely different experience. Located in the trendy Neustadt district, this popular city park is a lively place, ideal for those looking for a more energetic atmosphere.
Alaunpark is the perfect place for a picnic, jogging or a game of frisbee. The expansive lawns encourage outdoor activities, and the many paths are ideal for jogging or walking. The park is also a popular meeting place for the local community, providing an opportunity to meet Dresden's residents and get a real feel for the city.
For families with children, Alaunpark offers a well-equipped playground where the little ones can let off steam. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants nearby, where you can enjoy a light meal or a cup of coffee after an active day.
In the evenings, especially on weekends, Alaunpark comes alive even more. You can often find local musicians playing live, which creates a unique atmosphere. It's a great place to end an active day by relaxing to the sound of music and watching the sunset.
Both the BOT Botanical Garden and Alaunpark offer unique experiences to enhance your active stay in Dresden. While the Botanical Garden provides a tranquil, educational atmosphere, Alaunpark is a lively and energetic place. Both places are easily accessible by public transportation, making them ideal points on the map of active sightseeing in Dresden.
Discover Wald Park and Neustädter Elbufer
To conclude our active adventure in Dresden, we will visit two unique places that offer completely different experiences - Wald Park and Neustädter Elbufer.
Wald Park, as the name suggests, is an urban forest that is a true oasis of calm in the heart of the city. Located in the Blasewitz district, this expansive green space is the perfect place for those seeking contact with nature and tranquility. The park offers miles of walking and biking paths that wind among old trees, creating scenic routes for outdoor enthusiasts.
One of the greatest advantages of Wald Park is its diversity. You can find both dense, shady wooded areas and open clearings perfect for a picnic or relaxing on a blanket. The park is especially beautiful in autumn, when the leaves of the trees change colors, creating a fairy-tale landscape.
For families with children, Wald Park offers a well-equipped playground that is located in the shade of the trees, providing a comfortable environment even on hot days. It's a great place for kids to let off steam while parents relax on nearby benches.
Wald Park is also a paradise for joggers. The soft forest paths are ideal for jogging, and the variety of trails allows for a variety of workouts. The park is popular with local joggers, a testament to its athletic qualities.
On the other hand, Neustädter Elbufer, or the right bank of the Elbe River in the Neustadt district, offers a completely different but equally fascinating experience. It's a place that combines active recreation with admiring beautiful views of Dresden's old town.
Neustädter Elbufer is a long green belt stretching along the river. It features a wide promenade that is ideal for walking, biking or rollerblading. The route is flat and well-maintained, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
The biggest attraction of the Neustädter Elbufer is undoubtedly the spectacular view of the skyline of the old city of Dresden. You can admire famous monuments, such as the Frauenkirche and Zwinger, from a completely different perspective. It's the perfect place for a romantic stroll at sunset or a morning jog overlooking the awakening city.
Along the shore there are numerous benches and resting places where you can stop and enjoy the view. On warm days you may see many Dresden residents here relaxing on the grass or having picnics.
Neustädter Elbufer is also a great place to watch the river ships passing on the Elbe. You can see both modern cruise ships and traditional steamers here, which adds a special charm to the place.
Both Wald Park and Neustädter Elbufer offer unique opportunities for active recreation in Dresden. While Wald Park provides tranquility and contact with nature, Neustädter Elbufer allows you to enjoy activity in the heart of the city, with beautiful views in the background. Both places are easily accessible by public transportation and are the perfect complement to an active tour of Dresden.
All in all, Dresden offers a remarkably rich and varied range of activities for lovers of active recreation. From extensive parks to botanical gardens to picturesque waterfronts, there is something for everyone. Whether you prefer intense workouts, leisurely strolls or simply relaxing in nature, the Saxon capital will certainly not disappoint you. When going to Dresden, remember to wear comfortable shoes and a positive attitude - adventure awaits!
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