Schloss Pillnitz is the Saxon summer palace in an Asian-influenced baroque style, set on the Elbe with a park and the oldest camellia in Europe.
Pillnitz was the summer residence of the Saxon court from 1720 and is a rare European example of chinoiserie architecture. The park includes a historic orangery, and the palace holds the Museum of Decorative Arts. It lies on the Elbe and is part of the Elbhang area.
| Distance | About 12 km southeast of Dresden Altstadt |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 30 minutes by tram, or 2 hours by steamer |
| Getting there | Tram line 14 from Postplatz or Elbe paddle steamer |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | August-Böckstiegel-Straße 2, 01326 Dresden, Germany |
How to get there
- Mode
- Tram line 14 from Postplatz or Elbe paddle steamer
- Duration
- 30 minutes by tram, or 2 hours by steamer
- Cost
- About €3.00 (~$3.50) tram or €25 steamer return
- Notes
- Tram every 10-20 minutes; steamers May-October
Suggested itinerary
- Take the tram or steamer to Pillnitz, tour the palace museum, walk the park, have coffee in the palace café and return by bike or tram.
Location
August-Böckstiegel-Straße 2, 01326 Dresden, Germany
51.0143, 13.8727 View on map
Highlights
- Palace gardens and the 230-year-old camellia
- Kunstgewerbemuseum in the Wasserpalais and Bergpalais
- Arrival by historic paddle steamer
- Elbe cycle path to Pirna
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by steamer one way and tram back.
- The camellia house is open only in spring.
- Combine with the Elberadweg for a half-day bike trip.
When to visit
May-September.
Accessibility
The grounds are mostly flat and accessible; some palace interiors have steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pillnitz worth visiting from Dresden?
Yes. It combines baroque-chinoiserie palaces with riverside gardens and is an easy half-day reachable by the Elbe steamer or tram line 14.