Dessau-Rosslau

Travel Guide

Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo by Vin Lane-Kieltyka
A city in the Saxony-Anhalt state, the famous one-time home of Bauhaus architecture still retains its strong 1920s identity.

Dessau became the home of the Bauhaus architectural school after it was forced to leave Weimar and move here in 1925. Since then Dessau has been renowned as the home and place of work of many artists.

Visit the main Bauhaus Building, designed in 1926 by Walter Gropius, and now home to a postgraduate arts college and a series of exhibition rooms. It is just a short walk from the main train station you can either roam around parts of the building on your own or join an official guided tour.

A short distance from the Bauhaus are the Gropius-designed Master Houses, dwellings for the Bauhaus teachers. Each house is named after the people who originally occupied them you'll come across famous names of the art world like Kandinsky and Klee. Two of the houses were destroyed during the Second World War—long after the Nazis had closed down the Bauhaus in the 1930s—but Gropius’s villa was replaced by a detached house in the ’50s. Now work is underway to restore the original houses.

The Allied bombing during the war destroyed much of the city, which was later rebuilt in the East German mold with concrete slab architecture. However, in recent years the older buildings have been restored and a new cityscape has emerged.

For something a little different, try the Junkers Museum, open daily on Kühnauer Strasse. Wander through here to learn about the engineering work of aircraft pioneer Hugo Junkers and his important role in aviation history. You can even see some real aircraft, such as Junkers’ Ju 52.

The city's main attractions are perhaps its parks. There's Georgium Park, a landscape park inspired in part by Baroque and English designs (the palace within the park also houses a worthy art gallery). There's the Luisium, a park that reaches into the meadows beside the Mulde and Elbe rivers. And, of course, there's the Wörlitz Gardens, one of Dessau’s biggest attractions. It is the largest landscape park of its kind in Europe, dating back to the 1770s and inspired by the finest English gardens like Kew. 

Where to stay in Dessau-Rosslau

Dessau, Platanen am Rondell, angelegt 1781, Stammumfang bis 6 Meter

Dessau

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the sandy beaches and gardens in Dessau. You might want to make time for a stop at Marien Church or Anhaltinisches Theater.

Dessau
Dormero Hotel Dessau-Rosslau
Dormero Hotel Dessau-Rosslau
Zerbsterstrasse, 29, Dessau-Rosslau, Saxony-Anhalt
The price is ¥8,139 per night from Apr 10 to Apr 11
¥8,139
¥8,709 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 10 - Apr 11
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Dessau-Rosslau. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (355 reviews)
"Everything was fantastic! Large rooms with lots of space, huge bathroom with a tub, extremely comfortable bed, and free drinks! I only have 2 minor complaints. First is that housekeeping should NOT be trying to get in my room at 8am, that’s way too early considering that checkout is at 12 noon. Second ..."

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2024

Dormero Hotel Dessau-Rosslau
Radisson Blu Fürst Leopold Hotel Dessau
Radisson Blu Fürst Leopold Hotel Dessau
4 out of 5
Friedensplatz, Dessau-Rosslau, ST
The price is ¥12,788 per night from Apr 6 to Apr 7
¥12,788
¥13,683 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 6 - Apr 7
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Dessau-Rosslau. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Anhaltinisches Theater and ...
8/10 Very Good! (605 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, friendly staff, good food and great location"

Reviewed on Nov 12, 2024

Radisson Blu Fürst Leopold Hotel Dessau
B&B Hotel Dessau
B&B Hotel Dessau
Schloßplatz 4, Dessau-Rosslau
The price is ¥7,932 per night from May 4 to May 5
¥7,932
¥8,488 total
includes taxes & fees
May 4 - May 5
Stay at this hotel in Dessau-Rosslau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and premium TV channels. Popular attractions Marien Church and Anhaltinisches Theater ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (81 reviews)
"If there is regular full room cleaning it will be great."

Reviewed on Nov 22, 2024

B&B Hotel Dessau
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
"FeWo Tante Ju" with a view of the Bauhaus in Dessau-Roßlau
"FeWo Tante Ju" with a view of the Bauhaus in Dessau-Roßlau
Dessau-Roßlau
Stay at this apartment in Dessau-Rosslau. Enjoy free WiFi, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Bauhaus Dessau and Anhaltinisches ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (47 reviews)
Nice Quite Location
"The place was very clean and had plenty of room for my family of 7. The owner was not there but the mother lives down on the bottom floor. She met us and explained everything, mostly in German. Although we speak very little German, we could understand most of the things she was saying and pointing ..."

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2020

"FeWo Tante Ju" with a view of the Bauhaus in Dessau-Roßlau
Holiday apartment Törten for 1 - 2 persons - Holiday apartment
Holiday apartment Törten for 1 - 2 persons - Holiday apartment
Törten
Stay at this apartment in Dessau-Rosslau. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Technikmuseum Hugo Junkers and Meisterhäuser ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
Einfach toll
"Super nette Vermieter 😃 Alles tipptopp und wohlüberlegt ausgestattet. Insbesondere die vielen Kleinigkeiten. Auch das drumherum sehr liebevoll gestaltet. Vielen Dank. Dessau ist auf jeden Fall eine Reise wert."

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2024

Holiday apartment Törten for 1 - 2 persons - Holiday apartment
Vacation home Hilde on the lake with private beach for 4 adults, fireplace, boat and sauna
Vacation home Hilde on the lake with private beach for 4 adults, fireplace, boat and sauna
Löbnitz
Stay at this vacation home in Lobnitz. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a sauna. Popular attractions Großer Goitzschesee and Muldestau Lake are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (42 reviews)
Kann das Ferienhaus nur empfehlen. Waren wunderschöne Wellnesstage.
"Die Sauna haben wir fast täglich benutzt und unsre 2 kleinen Hunde haben den Garten geliebt. Wir kommen bestimmt wieder.Nur due Couch sollte ausgetauscht werden. Sie ist etwas klein und unbequem. Ansonsten können wir dieses Ferienhaus nur weiterempfehlen"

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2025

Vacation home Hilde on the lake with private beach for 4 adults, fireplace, boat and sauna
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Dessau-Rosslau

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