Four hours in Dresden

A church dedicated to the Virgin Mary has stood in Dresden since the 11th century. The original was replaced in the 18th century but was reduced to rubble during the Allied bombing of the Saxony capital during the Second World War. Left in ruins for 50 years, the Frauenkirche was rebuilt over the course of a decade using the original fire-blackened stonework wherever possible and has been restored to its former glory. Head inside and marvel at the church’s Baroque architecture before ascending to the viewing platform atop the 12,000-ton dome, where you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of the river, the city and all of its major landmarks, including the nearby Residenzschloss castle, the Zwinger palace, and the Semperoper opera house. Viewing platform open 10am-6pm (12.30-6pm Sunday; until 4pm Nov-Feb). Entry e8. frauenkirche-dresden.de/en

The Dresden Zwinger palace is another Baroque masterpiece, built by Augustus the Strong in the early 18th century. Stroll the restored central courtyard and you’ll be serenaded by the music of Mozart and Vivaldi from a carillon in the Glockenspiel Pavilion, which has porcelain bells made in nearby Meissen. Take time to admire the delicate Nymph’s Bath and the towering Crown Gate. If you have some extra time to explore, you could visit one of the museums located in the palatial buildings around the courtyard, which include an Old Masters gallery, a collection of more than 20,000 porcelain objects and artworks, and an exhibit dedicated to scientific devices. Courtyard open 6am-10.30pm (8pm Nov-March), admission free; combined entry to all three museums is e14, otherwise e8 each. der-dresdner-zwinger.de

Step aboard one of the Saxon Steamship Company’s 19th-century paddle steamers for a tour of the city via the Elbe River; the one-hour 30-minute Stadtfahrt zu Wasser cruise offers the best view of the historic city centre as well as the grand estates and castles that line the riverbanks as you steam east. The turnabout is at the “Blue Wonder” Loschwitz Bridge that connects the boroughs of Blasewitz and Loschwitz; the latter is home to the Dresden Funicular Railway and the Dresden Suspension Railway, engineering wonders that can be seen from the river (narration is offered in German and English). Sit on the top deck for the best views, and cool off with a beer from the onboard bar; lunch in the salon below is also an option. The cruise runs three to four times daily depending on the season; e19. saechsische-dampfschiffahrt.de

After disembarking at the Old Port, cross the river on the Carolabrucke bridge to Neustadt, the “New City”, the name of which actually dates back to the mid-18th century. Stroll west along the Kopckestrasse for a photo op with the Goldener Reiter, a gilded statue of Augustus the Strong on a rearing horse. A bit further down the street you’ll find the reconstructed Japanese Palace, another Baroque structure built by the king to house his prized collection of Japanese porcelain. Take a few minutes to dip into the Neustadt neighbourhood, which is full of restaurants, shops and a huge covered market hall, or take a detour towards the Elbe for a pleasant stroll among the pedestrians and cyclists on the Elberadweg.

Take a seat on the patio of this riverside beer garden to enjoy views of Altstadt (the Old Town) across the Elbe over a bratwurst (e3.50), a pretzel (e2) and a stein of Radeberger pilsner (e3-e7.50), brewed in the Dresden suburbs since 1872. Reasonably priced schnitzel, pork knuckles, potato salad and sauerkraut are also on the menu, along with seasonal and speciality brews from Clausthaler and other German breweries. Open 11am-11pm (until 12am Fri-Sat). augustusgarten.de