Solo Travel: Two German Cities – Dresden & Gotha
For this solo adventure, Jo combined her love of live music with a passion for exploring new places. She visited two very different but equally beautiful German cities: Dresden and Gotha.
Getting There
I took an early morning flight from London Stansted to Berlin. While it’s possible to fly directly to Dresden, I chose to save money by flying into Berlin and taking a Flixbus to Dresden Central Station.
Travel tip: Your Flixbus ticket is only valid for the specific bus you booked, so if your flight is early or delayed, make sure to change your ticket in advance.
Dresden: A City of Contrasts
Dresden is a large, vibrant city filled with contrasts - historic architecture side-by-side with modern buildings, a strong cultural scene and plenty of green spaces.
Highlights:Grand churches and centuries-old palacesBeautiful parks like Hugo-Bürkner ParkA riverside walk along the ElbeBustling shopping centres and diverse restaurantsA great mix of history, art, and natureOne of the most memorable moments was watching Anastacia perform live at the open-air Junge Garde Amphitheatre—part of her #NTK25 tour. The setting, under the open sky, was truly spectacular.
Best way to explore:The hop-on hop-off bus tour gave me a great overview and the flexibility to explore at my own pace.
Gotha: A Charming Small Town
From Dresden, I took a direct Deutsche Bahn train to Gotha. This quaint town feels like a hidden gem with its cobbled streets, quiet charm, and historical depth.
What I loved:Relaxing in the Town Square, people-watchingExploring small, independent shops and local bakeriesVisiting museums and historic churchesWalking through the scenic gardens at the OrangeryThe town is compact and easy to explore on foot, even with a few hillsA standout experience in Gotha was attending another Anastacia concert, this time with a live orchestra at the Schloss Friedenstein Palace—a beautiful Baroque castle with underground tunnels and incredible views.
Heading Home
To return, I took the FlixTrain from Gotha to Berlin Central Station, then hopped on a local train to Berlin Airport and flew back to Stansted. Whilst I didn’t include Berlin this time, it would be an easy addition to this trip.
Final Thoughts
This trip was the perfect combination of music, culture, and travel. Visiting both a major city like Dresden and a smaller town like Gotha gave me a well-rounded experience of Germany. Best of all, I got to reconnect with old friends and make new ones along the way.
