Let's start our journey with a place that, although well-known, still holds many secrets. Großer Garten, or the Great Garden, is not just a popular park, but a true oasis of greenery in the heart of the city. You can find it at Hauptallee 10, 01219 Dresden. To get there, just take streetcar line 10 or 13 and get off at the 'Großer Garten' stop. The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, and admission is free.

What makes Großer Garten special is its lesser-known nooks and crannies. Instead of heading down the main avenue, turn onto the side paths. There you will discover hidden ponds, secret glades and forgotten monuments. We especially recommend a visit to the little-known Rhododendron Garden, which in spring delights with a fever of colors. A highlight for families with children will be a ride on the small park train, which runs from April to October (a 2+4 family ticket costs about 14 euros, as of 2023).

Not far from Großer Garten, at Gasanstaltstraße 8B, is an unusual site - the Dresden Panometer. It's a former gas tank converted into a unique panoramic gallery. To get there, get off at the 'Großer Garten' stop and walk about 15 minutes or take bus line 64 to the 'Panometer' stop.

The Dresden Panometer is a true journey through time and space. The gigantic panorama with a height of 27 meters and a circumference of 105 meters will transport you to different eras and places. Currently, you can admire Baroque Dresden, recreated with extreme precision. Sound effects and day and night visualizations make the tour an unforgettable experience. The Panometer is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (until 6:00 pm on weekends). An entrance ticket costs about €11.50 for adults and €10 for children (as of 2023).

Both the Großer Garten and the Dresden Panometer offer unusual experiences that will give you a completely different perspective on Dresden. These places are ideal for families, couples and individual travelers who want to discover a less obvious face of the city.

The next stop on our alternative Dresden trip is the Kunsthofpassage Dresden, a hidden gem in the Neustadt district. This magical place is located at Görlitzer Str. 21-25, 01099 Dresden. The easiest way to get there is by streetcar line 13 or bus line 61, getting off at the 'Görlitzer Straße' stop.

Kunsthofpassage is a group of five courtyards, each with its own unique character and theme. The most famous is the 'Element Yard' with a facade that 'plays' music when it rains. It's a place where art blends with everyday life to create an unusual atmosphere. Take a look at the numerous boutiques, galleries and cafes that hide in the nooks and crannies of the passage. The Kunsthofpassage is open year-round, and is best visited during the day, when all the stores are open.

Nearby, at Bernhardstraße 86, 01187 Dresden, another unusual attraction awaits you - the Dickster Efeu von Sachsen, or the thickest ivy of Saxony. It's a place that is sure to surprise even the most experienced explorers. To get there, take streetcar line 3 and get off at the 'Nürnberger Platz' stop, then walk about 5 minutes.

This impressive natural specimen is a true giant among plants. Its trunk has a circumference of about half a meter, and its spreading branches cover much of the building. It is not only a botanical curiosity, but also a symbol of the power of nature and its ability to survive in an urban environment. The site is open all year round, 24 hours a day, and viewing the ivy is completely free.

For those who want to continue their green adventure, we recommend a short walk to the nearby Beutlerpark. This is a lesser-known but equally charming place, perfect for a picnic or relaxing in the shade of the trees.

Both the Kunsthofpassage and Saxony's thickest ivy are places that show how art and nature can coexist in an urban setting. They are perfect examples of how Dresden can surprise even those who think they know it inside out. They are ideal points on the map for people of all ages, especially for lovers of art, photography and unusual natural attractions.

Our alternative tour of Dresden would not be complete without a visit to the Blaues Wunder, or 'Blue Miracle'. This impressive bridge, officially known as the Loschwitzer Brücke, is located at Schillerplatz, 01309 Dresden. The easiest way to get there is by streetcar line 6 or 12, getting off at the 'Schillerplatz' stop.

The Blaues Wunder is not just an engineering structure, but a true icon of Dresden. Built in 1893, the bridge impresses with its blue color and openwork structure. What makes it unique is that it was built without the use of supports in the river current - a true masterpiece of 19th century engineering. The bridge is accessible 24 hours a day, and crossing it is free. It is worth visiting at different times of the day - at dawn, when the fog rises over the Elbe, or at dusk, when the bridge is beautifully illuminated.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Blaues Wunder area is a great starting point for bicycle tours along the Elbe. You can rent a bicycle at a nearby rental shop and set off on a scenic route in the direction of Pillnitz.

And it is there, in Pillnitz, that we end our alternative tour of Dresden. Pillnitz Castle, located at August-Böckstiegel-Straße 2, 01326 Dresden, is a true gem of architecture and garden art. To get there, take bus line 63 to the stop 'Pillnitz, Leonardo-da-Vinci-Straße'.

Pillnitz Castle is not only an impressive palace complex, but, above all, extraordinary gardens. Note the lesser-known corners, such as the English-Chinese garden or the palm house with exotic plants. Particularly recommended is a visit to the 'Kamelienschlösschen' - a pavilion housing a more than 200-year-old camellia that blooms from February to April.

The castle and gardens are open from March to October, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. An entrance ticket costs about 8 euros for adults, children under 16 get in for free (as of 2023). During the summer season, consider reaching Pillnitz by cruise ship from the center of Dresden - an added attraction that will give you a completely different perspective on the city.

Blaues Wunder and Pillnitz Castle are places that combine history, culture and natural beauty. They are ideal for both families with children and couples looking for romantic settings. They are the perfect culmination of our alternative tour of Dresden, showing just how many surprises this fascinating city holds.