Dresden stretches 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) along the River Elbe. And what you see on the banks of the majestic and yet still naturally winding river is no less than nature and architecture in perfect harmony, once declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for perfectly good reasons. The Elbe is lined with vineyards and woods, castles, stately villas from the 19th and early 20th century, old farm houses, and witnesses from the heyday of industrialization, when Saxony was the most prosperous region of Germany and Dresden was its richest city. No other city in Germany compares to this.
The River Elbe does not separate the two sides of Dresden into the old city and the new one, it connects them. And life along the river has a lazy it's- a- Sunday!!! like feel. At any given point there are people lying on the grass reading, chatting, picnicing, grilling, children playing and paddling, dogs racing into the water to retrieve balls and frisbees. Its a city in itself!
Mostly from June through August 'Movie Nights at the River Elbe' take place. The generous and wide steps on the slope of the river are the venue for film screenings and open air concerts. Beer gardens line the river and the oldest fleet of steam boats cruise lazily along it often accompanied by canoes, rafts and the occasional speed boats. And of course one can use this leisurely mode of transport to travel to the other neighbouring towns and cities.
Below is a image of the Elbe in the town of Meißen. What you see on the hill is the Castle and the old gothic cathedral.
Remember to visit our official website for information about and help with tours:
http://www.dresdenwalks.com/lang/en
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