When thinking about things to do near Dresden, have you ever considered walking among Jurassic giants?
Saurier Park in Saxony is one of the largest Dinosaur Parks in Europe, featuring over 200 life-size Dinosaurs across 20 Hectares.
It also boasts multiple playgrounds for children of all ages, kid-friendly learning points (in multiple languages) and various dining options.
Less than an hour from Dresden, Saurier Park is a worthy day trip for your family from Dresden.
Looking for other family-friendly day-trips from Dresden? Here are my Top 5!
Getting to Saurier Park from Dresden
Hidden away in the tiny town of Kleinwelka, Suarier Park is located approximately 57km from Dresden.
Driving is the best way for you to get here on your day trip from Dresden. Taking the A4, driving will take less than an hour from Dresden to Saurier Park.
A large car park is available on-site, free of charge, for all visitors.
Public Transport is unfortunately not an option to reach Saurier Park. The nearest bus stop is over 1km away, making it very impractical for families visiting from Dresden.
Is Saurier Park Near Dresden Worth Visiting?
In short, YES! And here’s why:
Life-size Dinosaurs
Over 200 realistic, scientifically correct, life-size models stand throughout the park. Some even have feathers to reflect the most recent paleontological findings.
Family Friendly
Designed for families, Saurier Park offers everything you need for a successful day trip. Boasting multiple playgrounds for children of all ages, it’s accessible with a pram, features change tables and even little toilets for little people. You will not be disappointed.
A Day Outdoors
Set among the forest and featuring a scenic lake, a family day trip to Saurier Park is a fantastic way to get your kids the fresh air and movement they need.
Accessible to all Visitors
Everyone can enjoy a family day trip to Saurier Park near Dresden. With accessible paths and entry points to buildings, Saurier Park can be enjoyed by families with prams and people requiring mobility support (according to Saurier Park, 80% of paths are accessible).
History and Mission of Saurier Park
The story of Saurier Park started more than 30 years ago in the small garden of the park’s founder, Franz Gruß.
Combining his interest in Paleontology with his love of sculpting led to the first Dinosaurs of Saurier Park. They can still be viewed at the park today.
Gruß’ passion for learning, fun and adventure are combined at Saurier Park, providing families with an unforgettable day out.
Consulting with Paleontologists, Saurier Park ensures it’s models are scientifically accurate, providing Dinosaur lovers of all ages the opportunity to walk among the giants of the Jurassic and Mesozoic periods.
Slowly growing from the humble beginnings of Gruß’s garden, Saurier Park is now one of the largest theme parks in Germany, having welcomed over 6 million guests since its inception.
What Families can Expect at Saurier Park near Dresden
Are you ready to experience Jurassic Park, in real life? (Did you catch that reference, Bluey fans?).
Organised into five themed areas, each area in Saurier Park provides playgrounds, dining options and family amenities.
This is great because it means when you’ve got tired little people, you don’t have to trek halfway across the park searching for a toilet or snack.
Land before Life
Beginning in the egg-shaped entrance, you will immediately explore Earth from the beginning of time. Here you will see volcanoes and learn what our world was like before life began.
The Land of Giants
Following the trail will lead you directly to enormous Dinosaurs. Here a small cinema offers several short documentaries to deepen your learning about the prehistoric world and the evolution of Saurier Park (unfortunately only available in German). The Giant Slides and ropes course in this area were one of our family’s highlights.
The Universe
Moving from the Prehistoric Age to the Space Age, the Space Station offers ample seating for a picnic or cafe lunch. A multi-media exhibition takes you on a journey through space and time, while the Space Station itself can be climbed on and slid down by children of all ages.
The Lost World
For fans of Jurassic Park, this is your spot. Complete with a downed plane, abandoned car and stomping sounds throughout the forest, the Lost World represents everything kids of the 90s desperately wanted to experience.
This was absolutely my favourite part of Saurier Park! I’d recommend it for children over 7 as the sudden bangs and crashes can be startling.
The Mesozoic
Here you are greeted by the Brachiosaurus family, overlooking the enormous lake. The Climbing Forest lets you and your children test your nerves, climbing high into the sky and wiggling through the net tunnels.
Don’t Miss These!
Digging for Dinosaur Bones
A short walk from the Space Station is the Researcher’s Camp. Here is your chance to dig for Dinosaur bones and mould your own with clay to take home.
Giant Slide and Climbing Wall
The slides twist around the neck of the Brachiosaurus. A stunning view across the park greets you at the top before you and your kids whoosh down to the ground.
The Galactic Nebula
Next to the Space Station is a huge space-themed playground. In Summer part of it is a water playground, making for a fantastic spot to cool off.
Get your Photo with a T-Rex
Adjacent to the Researcher’s Camp is a life-size mural, featuring everybody’s favourite Dinosaur: a T-Rex! Stand as close as you dare for an unforgettable photo opportunity.
Seasonal Events
We visited the weekend before Halloween and there was a spooky treasure hunt, roaming entertainers, free face painting and craft activities on offer. Those dressed up in their best scary costumes were also given free entry. Check out the website for any upcoming events.
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How to Plan a Successful Day Trip to Saurier Park From Dresden
Start Early
Driving to Saurier Park from Dresden will take around 1 hour.
Give yourself at least 3 hours to explore the 20-hectare park. There are over 200 Dinosaurs to look at, multiple playgrounds to climb on and endless paths to explore. Don’t rush your visit.
By starting early, you’ll also avoid waiting in excessive queues to enter the park. As one of Saxony’s most popular family attractions, it gets busy.
Plan Your Visit Before Arriving
Check the park map online and think about what you want to see or avoid before you get there.
Being proactive will save you time once you’re there because you already know where the time traps are and what should be avoided, depending on your children’s ages, abilities and temperament.
For me, the time stealer was the Climbing Forest and the thing to avoid for my kids was the Lost World.
Check the Weather
Saurier Park is all outside. For a successful family day trip to Saurier Park:
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring raincoats, umbrellas and waterproof pants for the kids, in case of rain.
- Don’t forget hats, sunscreen and sunglasses in Summer.
Bring Snacks and Water
Hungry tummies make day trips intolerable!
You can buy meals, drinks and snacks at Saurier Park. However, my preference is always to have a bag filled with ready-to-go snacks to avoid meltdowns.
Here are some of my favourite on-the-go snacks for the kids:
- Muesli bars,
- Pureed fruits and vegetables in pouches (I buy these but admire you if you make them yourself!)
- Chopped fruit and vegetables,
- Mini-salamis
- Boiled eggs.
Don’t forget to keep water bottles handy to avoid dehydration.
Other day-trip ideas near Saurier Park
Saurier Park alone is a big day out. If you and your family want even more action, consider the following nearby attractions.
Bautzen
Why not plan a weekend away and enjoy the nearby city of Bautzen? Bautzen is only a 15-minute drive from Saurier Park and offers a classic old-city experience.
Not only is Bautzen home to the renowned Bautzner brand mustard (you can even visit the factory!) but it’s also home to the Sorbs, a Slavic minority who inhabit the region.
Herrnhut
If you’re interested in soaking up the local culture, why not visit Herrnut, Home of the Herrnuter star (also called the Morovian Star)? Here you’ll learn the ricj history of the star and you can even make one to take home.
Here are my Top 3 Christmas Day Trips from Dresden.
Let‘s Go! Time to visit Saurier Park near Dresden
Whether it’s walking among life-sized dinosaurs, digging for fossils, or enjoying family-friendly amenities, Saurier Park offers a day filled with excitement and learning.
Just an hour‘s drive from Dresden, this day trip from Dresden is a must for families looking to create unforgettable memories.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your snacks, gather your family, and visit Saurier Park for an unforgettable day trip!”
Have you visited Saurier Park? Share your favorite memories in the comments!
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