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Experience the world-famous Meissen porcelain with all your senses. Visit or demonstration workshops. Experience museum and modern porcelain. Design your own unique MEISSEN Mug and enjoy culinary delights in the Café & Restaurant Meissen.

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This tour is available in English as well. Please kindly contact our visitor service   for a booking.

Gain some captivating impressions by joining us on a tour of discovery through the Manufactory’s production sites that will allow you to experience the cultural asset that is Meissen porcelain in a particularly intense way.

This tour is available in English as well. Please kindly contact our  visitor service  for a booking.

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The House of Meissen: All year round, Mon - Sun, 9 am - 5 pm Café Meissen: All year round, Mon - Sun, 11 am - 4 pm (subject to change) 31 December & 1 January, 10 am - 4 pm Closing days: 24 / 25 and 26 December Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH Erlebniswelt Meissen

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Admission prices include an audio guided tour of the demonstration workshop, available in 14 languages, and an individual visit to the Museum of the Meissen Porcelain Foundation. Adults: 14 EUR Children (6-18 years): 12 EUR Family ticket: 30 EUR (2 adults and max. 3 children under 18 years) Small family ticket: 16 EUR (1 adult and 1 child under 18 years) Reduced*: 12 EUR (trainees, students, disabled persons with GdB 50-100%) Free admission: children aged 0-6, birthday children, people accompanying severely disabled people, bus drivers and tour guides * On presentation of valid proof of entitlement. Exclusive tours with a guide can be booked in advance in 11 languages. Please kindly contact us!

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The City of porcelain and wine Meissen looks back on thousand years of history.

The city owes its foundation to the German King Heinrich I, who in 929 ordered a castle to be built. In 1423, Meissen became royal seat of the Saxon electors. That is why Meissen is considered to be the cradle of Saxony. This is underlined by prominent sights.

Meissen is also a wine-growing city. Delicious wines are ripening on the steep mountains of one of Germany's smallest wine-growing areas - another trademark of the 1000-year-old city on the Elbe.

Information on Meißen and surroundings, accommodation service, city tours, group programmes, advance ticket sale, souvenirs. 

Meißen Tourist Information Markt 3 01662 Meißen Deutschland

Contact: Phone: +49 (0) 3521 41940 Fax: +49 (0) 3521 419419 Email: [email protected] Website: www.touristinfo-meissen.de

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Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 15 Best Things to Do in Meissen (Germany)

15 Best Things to Do in Meissen (Germany)

Approaching the city of Meissen in Saxony the first thing that comes into view is the Burgberg rising over the Elbe. Translating to castle hill, Burgberg is where the city’s founder Henry the Fowler put up his fortress against the Slavs to the east in the 10th century.

Now the hill is claimed by a glorious Gothic cathedral and Albrechtsburg, a 15th-century palace. Albrechtsburg, laid out for the ruling House of Wettin, was the first noble property in Germany designed for luxury and style rather than defence.

The name “Meissen” is also eponymous for hard-paste porcelain of the highest quality, manufactured here before anywhere else in Europe and going strong after more than 300 years of production.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Meissen :

1. Albrechtsburg

A masterwork of Late Gothic architecture, Albrechtsburg, in Meissen’s hilltop ensemble of medieval monuments, held as Germany’s oldest “Schloss”, equivalent to a château.

The palace dates to the second half of the 15th century on a spot that had been fortified since the 900s.

The men in charge at that time were Ernest and Albert (Albrecht) of Wettin, joint electors of Saxony.

No other noble residence of the period had this level of sophistication, from the cellular vaulting throughout, to arched curtain windows and the winding staircase tower that distinguishes the facade.

By the 18th century Albrechtsburg was out of favour and hosted the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory for the next 160 years.

Then in 1873 the palace was restored to its Late Gothic glory, and Gothic Revival murals were painted throughout, documenting the history of the building.

2. Meissen Cathedral

Next door, Meissen Cathedral is as pure an expression of Gothic architecture as you could hope to find.

Work started in 1260 and would continue up to 1410. The first thing to do is make for the north wall of the choir where there are two larger than life 13th-century polychrome statues of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I and his wife Adelaide of Burgundy, founders of the diocese of Meissen in the 10th century.

Also astounding is the rood screen from 1260, and in close proximity you’ll find an altar triptych from Lucas Cranach the Elder’s workshop, carved choir stalls and a pulpit all from the 16th century.

In 1425 a new funerary chapel for the Wettins was built for Frederick I, Elector of Saxony.

This is on the west side of the building and houses Frederick’s rich bronze tomb monument.

3. Meissen Porcelain Manufactory

Meissen is a byword for fine porcelain, a legacy reaching back to 1708. It all began when Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland wanted to crack the secret of Chinese porcelain, which had been imported to Europe at great expense for hundreds of years.

He put a team of alchemists, metallurgists and physicists on the case, and by 1708 Meissen’s manufactory was up and running.

Coming to the manufactory entails a visit to the “demonstration workshop”, where a recorded audio-guide explains how each piece is hand-painted and glazed.

You don’t need to be a collector to be awed by the level of workmanship.

Upstairs is a museum with 300 years worth of the finest porcelain in a purpose-built Neoclassical exhibition hall.

4. Burgberg

The climb up the hill that hosts the castle and cathedral from the south is like a journey through time: You’ll clamber past Gothic and Renaissance patrician houses on stairways until you arrive at the Schlossbrücke.

Crenellated on both sides, this Romanesque bridge completed in the 1220s culminates with the Mittlerer Burgtor.

This regal gate was originally Romanesque but after being removed in the 1700s it was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style in the 1870s, and has mosaics depicting St George.

Head through the portal and you’ll be on the Domplatz (Cathedral Square) and marvelling at the castle, cathedral and monastic buildings.

5. Meissen Markt

At the foot of the Burgberg is Meissen’s marketplace, bordered on all sides by Renaissance buildings.

Your eye will be drawn to the apse and 57-metre tower of the Frauenkirche and the white town hall, which we’ll talk about later.

On the east side you can’t ignore the Hirschhaus, which has a fine Mannerist portal dating to 1642. The south side has a delightful row of pastel-painted Renaissance houses including the Markt-Apotheke (Market Pharmacy).

6. Frauenkirche

In the southwest corner of the marketplace is the Church of Our Lady, first documented at the start of the 13th century.

After city fires in the 15th century the church was extended and redesigned as a Late Gothic hall church.

The exquisite altarpiece is from around this period, although its wings, which had been lost, were replaced in the 1900s.

The church has another valuable altar, crafted in 1480 and brought here from Meissen’s Nikolaikirche.

The tower was struck by lightning in the 16th century, when it got its current Renaissance lines and octagonal shape.

This holds the 37-bell porcelain carillon (the first in the world), installed in 1929 on Meissen’s 1000th anniversary and playing a different hymn at 06:30, 08:30, 11:30, 14:30, 17:30 and 20:30.

Taking up the whole of the north wall of Marktplatz, the town hall is a photogenic Late Gothic building finished in 1478. The building has a high and unusually steep saddle roof, where you can admire its outstanding feature, a row of three highly ornate dormers.

The main portal has a Gothic ogival arch, and above this you can see Meissen’s coat of arms, carved from sandstone in 1865. The doorway on the right led to the Brotbank (a bakery regulated by the town), which is now the Ratskeller, a traditional restaurant common in German historic town halls.

8. Panoramaaufzug Burgberg Meissen

The trek to the top of the Burgberg might be a bit onerous on summer days, so now you can catch a new panoramic lift.

This will carry you in a glass box 33 vertical metres up the slope in 40 seconds flat.

The lift runs from 09:00 to 18:00 and costs €1,00 to go up and is free of charge to come down.

On your short journey you’ll have just enough time to look over the Elbe and its vineyards.

9. Kloster Heilig Kreuz

By the Elbe, a couple of kilometres north of Meissen are the enigmatic ruins of a Medieval monastery.

The complex is from the beginning of the 13th century and switched between the Cistercian and Benedictine orders.

The buildings were secularised in the Reformation in the 16th century and then demolished in the Seven Years’ War in the mid-18th century.

The revered Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich painted the ruins in 19th century.

The site is now in the hands of Hahnemannzentrum, an organisation for homeopathic medicine.

They have planted gardens with roses, honeysuckle, clematis and some 200 varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Also growing in the gardens is the oldest Traminer vine in Saxony, at more than 150 years old.

10. Stadtmuseum

Meissen’s city museum occupies a few of the old town’s historic buildings, like a Neo-Gothic house from the 19th century, the gatehouse on Domplatz by the cathedral and the former Church of St Peter and Paul, which is the main venue.

The Stadtmuseum uncovers Meissen’s history from different angles, chronicling the development of the porcelain craft, displaying religious statues and funerary monuments from Medieval times and the Early Modern Age.

In the old church you can view a fun assortment of objects like a giant wine press dating back to 1788, 19th-century bicycles, sewing machines from the 1880s made at Meissen Biesolt & Locke factory, models of ships that navigated the Elbe and 16th-century pistols.

11. Kirche St. Afra

On the Afraberg hill, a brisk climb up two stairways from the Martkplatz is a church consecrated in the early 13th century and once belonging to an Augustinian monastery.

The Church of St Afra was remodelled in the 15th century, and the Martinsaltar is the thing you can’t leave without seeing.

This was moved here from the Church of St Martin in Weinböhla and was crafted with vivid images of St Martin, St Urban and John the Evangelist.

The early Baroque portal on the south side bears the coat of arms of the Saxon electors, while on the left is a statue of Moses with the ten commandments, and on the right is Paul the Apostle with sword.

Meissen has a winemaking tradition reaching back to the 12th century.

This is the Saxony wine region (one of the northernmost in Europe), with vineyards on the terraced granite slopes of the Elbe Valley from Dresden to Diesbar-Seußlitz, 15 kilometres north of Meissen.

Wineries generally produce dry, lightly fruity white wines using mostly Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes.

There are also a few reds made with Pinot Noir, which also does well in Meissen’s cold winters and warm summers.

Wine taverns and bistros are plentiful in the old town, while the Weinfest celebrates the grape harvest at the turn of October and invites winegrowers from around the region to showcase their latest wines.

On the fairground the Elbe there’s a live music stage with music for all tastes.

13. Schloss Proschwitz

The oldest privately run winery in Saxony, owned by a member of the historic House of Lippe, is hardly five kilometres from the Burgberg in Meissen.

Wine has been produced on this parcel of land since the middle of the 12th century.

The vines at Schloss Proschwitz grow on the south-facing slopes on the right bank of the Elbe, making up for the high latitude, and you’ll be able to tour the estate, soaking up picturesque vistas of Albrechtsburg and the cathedral.

The 18th-century Baroque palace is rented for events, while there are concerts in the park in summer.

On a typical day your main motive for coming will be to visit the winery shop and try a glass or two at a table in the shade of chestnut trees.

14. Meissen Siebeneichen Zoo

This animal park is in three hectares of forest not far from Siebeneichen Schloss, which while noteworthy is currently empty and awaiting redevelopment.

The zoo has 85 different species and about 400 animals in total on its three hectares.

Kids will have fun making friends with the tame ponies and rabbits, and there are lots of other farmyard animals like chickens, horses, goats and pigs.

In the aviary are birds of prey like long-eared owls and snowy owls.

And although the park concentrates on mountain and domestic animals there are also exotic species like kangaroos, turkeys, porcupines, parrots, sika deer and alpacas.

15. Meißner Fummel

Meissen has a pastry with EU geographical indication that has been baked in the town for over 300 years.

The Meißner Fummel is a strange delicacy with a back-story.

The pastry is made from dough rolled wafer thin.

When it is baked the Fummel inflates like a balloon, except there won’t be anything inside.

The shell of pastry is then dusted with icing sugar, and the flakes enjoyed as a treat with coffee.

So what’s the point of what is essentially an air pocket? Well, the Fummel was invented by the 18th-century Elector August II the Strong for court carriers to carry with them.

This was done to make sure that they looked after the important documents they delivered by coach between Dresden and Meissen.

The pastry is so fragile that the utmost care would be needed to prevent it from breaking.

15 Best Things to Do in Meissen (Germany):

• Albrechtsburg
• Meissen Cathedral
• Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
• Meissen Markt
• Frauenkirche
• Panoramaaufzug Burgberg Meissen
• Kloster Heilig Kreuz
• Stadtmuseum
• Kirche St. Afra
• Schloss Proschwitz
• Meissen Siebeneichen Zoo
• Meißner Fummel

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Flawless beauty at every turn: Meissen

It is the flawless beauty of a porcelain figurine that best captures the essence of Meissen. The town has become famous all over the world for its porcelain. Visitors will not only encounter the most exquisite ceramics, but also an elegant town that looks back on more than 1,000 years of history.

No trip here is complete without a tour of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, which was set up in the Albrechtsburg castle in the early 18th century, until it was moved to the new site in the town's Triebischtal district 150 years later. The late-Gothic castle of Albrechtsburg is nevertheless well worth a visit. Perched high above the Elbe River, it was Germany's first castle to be built solely as a residence. Today it houses a number of fine museums and collections, in which porcelain – the town's great passion – plays an unsurprisingly prominent role. The delightful porcelain carillon in the tower of the Gothic Church of Our Lady has been enchanting passers-by with its chimes since 1929, while the largest figures ever made from Meissen porcelain can be found in the Church of St. Nicholas.

House of Meissen

Dom zu meissen, albrechtsburg castle.

In a beautiful contrast to the porcelain figures, Meissen's Gothic cathedral dominates the town's skyline. It is a sight to behold, not least for the contrasting architecture of its towers: the west towers were completed between 1904 and 1908, while the south-east tower dates back to the 14th/15th century. The festival season also attracts visitors to Meissen from near and far, with highlights in the town's events calendar including the Pianoforte Festival and the Christmas market. Another firm favourite is the traditional wine festival in September. Although Meissen is in Germany's smallest wine region, it produces some distinctive and highly regarded wines. All along the Saxon Wine Route, there are lots of cosy wine taverns where you can stop for a glass of wine – and for once there is no porcelain involved!

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The Perfect Day Trip to Meissen, Germany: 8 Best Things to Do

• January 18, 2024
• by Jenoa Matthes

Is a day trip to Meissen worth it? Most definitely. We recently spent 2 nights in Dresden and did a couple of day trips to nearby towns. Meissen was by far our favorite town to visit.

With its picturesque streets, colorful buildings, and gothic castle overlooking the Elbe river, Meissen is one of the most charming towns in Saxony, Germany. There are plenty of things to do in Meissen to fill up a half-day or full-day trip from Dresden.

Not only is Meissen home to the oldest porcelain factory in all of Europe, but it’s also home to the oldest castle in Germany. There is so much history in such a small place!

In this article, we are sharing an itinerary for your day trip to Meissen, plus tips on how to get there from Dresden. Let’s get started!

The Best Things to Do in Meissen

Here are the best things to do in Meissen if you only have one day.

1. Walk up to Schlossbrüke (Castle Bridge)

Start off your day trip to Meissen by making your way up to the Castle Bridge. To get there, walk through the old town and follow Burstrasse up to Hohlweg and climb the steps until you get to the bridge.

Once you are on the bridge, you will see the Castle Gate, which is the entrance onto the castle grounds. From here, you will have an excellent view of the charming street you walked up (Hohlweg), and the valley down below.

2. Tour Albrechtsburg Castle

Albrechtsburg Castle is considered the oldest castle in Germany and is a must-visit on your day trip to Meissen. Over 1,000 years ago, the castle was just a wooden fortress built on top of a hill overlooking the Elbe river and valley.

In the late 15th century, the fortress was converted into a castle and eventually became home to the Meissen porcelain factory in the 18th century founded by Augustus the Strong.

You can take a self-guided tour through the castle and visit many of the reception rooms painted with vibrant murals. On your tour, you will be given a “HistoPad”, which is a tablet that shows you images of what the room looked like back in time.

We loved using the “Histopad” on our tour, as it was a way to transport you to the past while actually being in the room. It’s incredible how much a castle can change over time.

To visit, you can either purchase a ticket to just the castle, or you can purchase a combined ticket. The two combined ticket options are castle + cathedral or castle + porcelain factory.

More info on tickets and opening times here .

3. Visit the Meissen Cathedral

Next to Albrechtsburg Castle is the Meissen Cathedral. Recognizable by its tall black gothic spires, the church was originally built in the 10th century, while the spires were recently added in the 20th century.

Once inside, you will be able to walk through the beautiful nave and appreciate the gothic architecture.

You can purchase a combined ticket with the castle tour or pay separately to visit the cathedral.

4. Wander Through Old Town

Make your way back down to the old town and wander through the picturesque streets. Meissen feels like a town that has been plucked right out of a storybook, so it is fun to walk around for a bit and get lost in time.

If you’re hungry, you’ll find plenty of cafes with outdoor seating in Marktplatz – a square at the center of the old town. It’s also where the Rathaus (city building) is located – a beautiful white building with a deep red roof.

We opted to stop at a quaint cafe for launch called Grüner Humpen zu Meissen on our way down from the castle. We got sauerbraten – a popular german dish made of roast beef and vegetables.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to make time to try the famous Meissen dessert – a Meissner Fummel. This dessert is a thin, delicate pastry that you traditionally eat with a cup of coffee. You can find this at Zieger Konditorei on your way down from the castle.

5. Climb the Bell Tower at the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)

Just a one-minute walk from the Rathaus is the Frauenkirche. Originally built in 1205, this gothic cathedral has opened its bell tower to tourists.

The ascent is only 193 steps and offers stunning panoramic views of Meissen.

You’ll be able to get a close look at the porcelain carillon at the top – the oldest one in the world. The carillon plays 6 times a day.

The bell tower is open Monday – Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM. The cost to climb the tower is €2 per person.

6. Tour the Meissen Porcelain Factory

Meissen is the birthplace of European porcelain. In the 17th century, porcelain from Asia was especially popular among the European aristocracy.

Augustus the Strong particularly loved Asian porcelain and wanted to be able to manufacture his own porcelain in Europe.

After many years of trial and error, a team of chemists discovered how to create porcelain. In 1710, Augustus the Strong opened up the first and now oldest porcelain factory in Europe in Albrechtsburg Castle.

Meissen porcelain was produced in the castle for over 150 years until it was moved to a separate building.

Today, you can tour the Meissen porcelain factory where you can watch a live demonstration of how they make the porcelain. You can also visit the museum to see the incredible porcelain creations throughout the years.

This is one of the best things to do in Meissen if you love artisan crafts!

The museum is about a 15-minute walk from the old town. Tickets are €12 per person. For more information on hours and opening times, you can visit the official site of Meissen porcelain.

If you have more time on your day trip to Meissen . . .

7. schloss proschwitz.

This castle also doubles as a winery. You can take a tour of the castle and have a wine tasting outside in the vineyards on the castle grounds.

The views of Meissen from Schloss Proschwitz are apparently incredible. Visit the official website for more information.

8. Steamboat Tour from Dresden

If you want to have a more adventurous day trip to Meissen, then I would recommend the steamboat river cruise from Dresden to Meissen. On this tour, you’ll ride along the Elbe river and pass beautiful scenery along the way.

Once you arrive in Meissen, you’ll have time to visit Albrechtsburg castle, wander around the streets, and visit the porcelain museum.

You can book the tour through GetYourGuide below.

How to Get to Meissen

Meissen is easily accessible by car or train. If you are driving, there are plenty of parking lots scattered around the city. Meissen is about a 35-minute drive away from Dresden.

Getting to Meissen by train from Dresden is very simple. Just hop on the S-Bahn from either Dresden Neustadt or Hauptbahnhof and the train will take you directly to Meissen’s S-Bahnhof.

The train ride is about 35 minutes. You can visit the S-Bahn site online for timetables and price information.

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How To Spend 24 Hours in Meissen, Germany

The historic city of Meissen is a great option for a short getaway or a day trip from bigger cities like Berlin or Dresden. Meissen is a compact city, which makes it easy to navigate. While it has enough charm to keep travelers happy for at least a few days, a day is enough to visit its highlights and get a taste of the city. Let’s help you plan an unforgettable day in Meissen. So get your walking shoes on – it will be a busy day.

It’s best to start the day at the charming, cobble-stoned Meissen Altstadt (old town). Treat yourself to a hearty breakfast in any of the cafes in this part of town. If you wish to pick up a map of the city or have any questions about your stay in Meissen, drop in at the tourist office here, anytime between 10 am and 5 pm.

Meissen Tourist office: Markt 3, 01662 Meißen, Germany +49 3521 41940

Once you are adequately fueled, it’s time to kickstart the day. Take a while to admire the intricate dormers and saddle roof of the Meissen Rathaus (the town hall), proudly gracing the market square. It’s one of the prettiest town halls you will see anywhere in Germany . The 15th century restaurant at the Rathaus, Ratskeller Meissen , is among the most popular restaurants in the city. They serve delicious breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and wines. However, be prepared to have to wait, especially in high season, as it can get very busy.

Rathaus Meissen: Markt 1, 01662 Meißen, Germany +49 3521 4670

The next stop is the hilltop Albrechtsburg Castle , the oldest castle in Germany and a revered specimen of architectural genius. There are several ways of getting there . From April to October, a 13-seater bus runs from the market square to the castle every 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can reach the castle in less than a minute aboard the Panoramaaufzug Burgberg . If you are feeling particularly energetic, you can hike up to the castle via the Obere Promenadenweg (Upper Promenade Path), and be rewarded with beautiful views over the Elbe Valley as you ascend. Of course, biking or driving to the castle is also possible.

Albrechtsburg Castle: Domplatz 1, 01662 Meißen, Germany +49 3521 47070

After a guided tour of its lavish interiors, stop by at Meissen Cathedral (Dom Zu Meissen) next to the castle. Though its towers soar high, it is among the smallest and quaintest cathedrals in the country. Once you have feasted your eyes on the stunning Gothic facade, step inside to take a look at the 13th-century polychrome statues of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I and his wife, Adelaide of Burgundy, the Protestant pulpit, the beautiful columns and the high ceilings.

Meissen Cathedral: Domplatz 7, 01662 Meißen, Germany +49 3521 452490

It might be a good idea to stop at the very popular Cafe Am Dom at the cathedral. Here, you can indulge in snacks, cakes, salads, ice cream, coffee and delicious local wines, while enjoying sweeping views over the city from the terrace. However, if you are starving, it’s best to make your way down to the market square, where you will have many options for a proper lunch.

Cafe Am Dom: Domplatz 5, 01662 Meißen, Germany +49 3521 404486

After lunch, head towards the Stadtmuseum Meissen , housed in a former Franciscan monastery, only around 660 feet (200 meters) from the Rathaus. This visit will open your eyes to 1,000 years of the socio-economic, political, and cultural evolution of the city of Meissen . The most popular displays in this museum include the last fishing boat to sail on the Elbe, the oldest wine press in Saxony, and beautiful locally-made porcelain items.

Stadtmuseum Meissen: Heinrichsplatz 3, 01662 Meißen, Germany +49 3521 458857

Meissen was the first manufacturer of porcelain in Europe in 1710, and the city artists’ expertise in porcelain art has earned Meissen global repute. So, a visit to Meissen is incomplete without a stop at Meissen State Porcelain Manufactory , an easy stroll (around 0.75 mi, or 1.2 km) from Stadtmuseum. Since 1916, this vintage museum has been dropping jaws with its stunning porcelain exhibits from over 300 years. They offer guided tours of the exhibition and workshop. At the museum shop, you can treat yourself to exquisite porcelain hand-crafted jewelry, home decor, fabrics, accessories, furniture and more, or pick up authentic souvenirs for loved ones back home. Stopping for snacks and a refreshing cup of tea at the museum cafe is a perfect way to top off a great visit. Make sure you try the dreamy trademarked Meissen® tart, which is not available anywhere else but here.

Meissen State Porcelain Manufactory: Talstraße 9, 01662 Meißen, Germany , +49 3521 468208

As evening rolls on, head to the riverside for a pleasant stroll and great views over the river. You might even take a short ferry ride on the Elbe to appreciate the beauty of the town from a different perspective. Later in the evening, head back to the Altstadt for a delicious dinner. Meissen doesn’t really have a pulsating nightlife, but there are several nice bars and pubs in the Altstadt to head to if you are not ready for the day to be over yet.

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