It would be Dresden. Granted, I have only been to six out of the 16 Bundesländer, but Dresden is my favorite so far, and it is not just because of the surprising food diversity we found there.
Located in the East of Germany, bordering the Czech Republic, Dresden is a vibrant old and new city. After being controversially leveled in World War II, the capital of Saxony was rebuilt and most of its baroque and rococo structures are standing once more in their former glory. I can only imagine what it was like here before the war, and even during its early history. There is a lot of fabulous here!
Most of the grand historical attractions are in the city center and we found the brunt of the tourists here. Think Caucasian families touring on horse-drawn carriages, schools of Asians and Hispanics, and the ever-present influencers taking over the top photos everywhere.
But I seriously did not mind it as much compared to Prague, mainly because the atmosphere is different here. I immediately noticed it the moment we came out of the central station.
Here, it is incredibly laid back. The people are more casual compared to every other city I visited and the overall vibe feels like it is no rush, no pomp. I really appreciate how it comes across as genuine. Given the millions that come here every year, that is quite the accomplishment. For me, the energy of Dresden is the best.
A close second is the Dresden Neustadt. I love this place so much I actually want to live here. Diverse, artsy, and multicultural, this part of town is filled with colorful graffiti, art shops, specialty stores, international restaurants, and everything else you can expect from the alternative crowd.
It was so interesting, layered, and nuanced. I felt creativity and energy in the air. The mix of people, ideas, and structures actually reminds of the best cities I have seen in Asia. Adding the cheaper prices, nature, and architecture to the mix, I was 100% sold.
And if you add the nice food to the tab, I would be 120% sold! Oh, where to begin? I did not expect such diversity in food and culture here. From Mexican to Georgian and Korean and Vietnamese, you will never run out of choices.
Everything we tried was really satisfying, too! It was such a great joy to tear through Dresden and eat and learn from everything we could find.
I seriously did not think much of this city before coming out but I won’t be surprised if I find myself coming back again and again to this place, just to show it off to friends and visitors just to say, “Look, I know this cool place!” I highly recommend checking out Dresden if you have not already. It is really cool.
Markus + Micah 
Lovely post about a lovely place! I enjoyed all the food & color in your photos. Thanks for sharing! 🌞
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Hello, Lisa. Many thanks for visiting. Dresden is cool, and I think food and color is all I post about after traveling. Haha. What a pleasure. What is your favorite trip recently?
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Of course! I’d have to say my favorite trip recently was to South Florida. There is a tiny village by the sea near Ft. Lauderdale that we just love. We stayed in this little resort where the people are great & we have a balcony over the sand, the ocean being a few yards away. We walked on the beach each morning, around the village almost every day, and had some great food & drinks at open-air cafes. Thanks for asking! 🌞
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Wow, that sounds lovely! Thank you for sharing your last trip to South Florida. I imagine it to be really sunny there. I honestly don’t know much about places in the US and it’s nice to see glimpses of it from stories such as yours.
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A very nice post. Dresden is certainly one of those places I want to visit. It’s story has always intrigued me right from the time of the Saxon tribes through to what happened in WWII and afterwards in terms of the rebuilding that was undertaken.
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You can definitely see its history at every turn and I admire them for their rebuilding efforts and finding a way to move on despite the tragedy of what happened to them. If Germany didn’t lose the war, I’m certain the bombing of Dresden qualifies as a war crime.
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Looks like you’re having a great time in a great city, one I would love to visit and eat in. Can you eat a city? 🤣🙏
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You know, I ask this question far too many times! One day, I really hope to see Northern Ireland and probably say the same, too.
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I love your line: “the ever-present influencers taking over the top photos everywhere.” I believe you when you say that but I have to laugh out loud. OF COURSE THEY ARE. Anyway thanks for the recommendation. Dresden sounds and looks lovely.
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I have not seen much of Eastern Germany, but Dresden for an intro definitely got me hooked!
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I still have a lot to discover in Germany and I’ve never been there for more than a few hours, but I have to admit Dresden had never really been on my list… until now! Thanks for showing us why you love this city – I’m sold!
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It’s worth it, especially in the Neustadt and very cheap. I also follow your travels and get inspired. My list is growing!
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Love the pics! What’s the big raspberry thing?
I want to live in the blue building!!
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It’s a chocolate mouse with raspberry and pistacchio inside from Cafe Cello. I loveeee that place, especially the two women who run it. Their energy was a dream. They were positive but not in your face, very stable and far from the artificial high cheer you normally see in Western coffee shops, you know what I mean? They were so genuine and lovely.
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This looks amazing! I’m eating breakfast while reading but it’s making me hungry anyway 😂 Pat really wants to visit East Germany… I will add these cities to the list.
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Which cities are on top of your list? There is so much to see and I have only started discovering the eastern side, too. It looks so different from the west.
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I haven’t done enough research to know, but I’m sure my husband has a list. He knows a lot more about Germany (he is half German)
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How does it feel typing husband now? Haha. Congratulations again!
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Haha I’m slowly getting used to calling him that but it’s definitely still a little weird. Good weird, though!
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Dresden sounds amazing! I didn’t know they had such diversity in their food options, it sounds like a dream come true! I love seeing the photos of you guys – you look so joyful and exuberant!
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Me neither. I wanted to try all the ethnic restaurants and wished I had a bigger stomach. One of the mpst interesting for me was a small Georgian shop and I learned a lot there. My favorite was a rolled eggplant with some walnut paste inside. I will try to make a version of that at some point.
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You two are too cute! Thank you for the virtual tour and detailed descriptions. 😁
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Thank you, Michele. It was fun to explore Dresden, especially because I had zero expectations. Everything was a pleasant surprise! Have you been to Germany?
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You are welcome. It looks like it! No, I have not. Thanks for the preview. 😁
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I haven’t been to Germany since I was nine years old. I’d love to go again. Your description of Dresden makes me want to start there!
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Where did you visit as a child? Yes, Dresden is a cool place. It has the best of both worlds. I can’t wait to see how the Neustadt develops. At the same time, I wonder when gentrification gobbles it up.
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My older sister was doing a semester abroad at the University of Freiburg, so our parents and I visited her there and spent some time in the Black Forest. I had a great time, but I don’t remember much. Selbstverständlich I need to go to Germany again. 🙂
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Well, I have not been to the Black Forest yet so you have one up me there. Haha.
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