Banks: 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday; some stay open until 18:30 on Thursdays
Post Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 13:00, Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 14:00, Saturdays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; some open on weekends
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

Dresden is not a dangerous destination and the only real concern for visitors is petty criminals. As when in any other large European city, keeping cash and valuables well hidden and in secure places while out in public can reduce your chances of being targeted by pickpockets. Be especially wary in bus and train stations at night.

230V, 50Hz; round, two-pin plugs are standard

Dresden is as safe as any well-developed EU city and offers drinkable tap water, strict hygiene standards in public dining establishments and low levels of serious diseases. EU visitors requiring emergency medical treatment are not required to pay for it provided they have a European Health Insurance Card. Hospitals provide a high standard of medical care. All visitors are advised to have travel insurance that includes medical cover.

Städtischen Krankenhaus Dresden-Neustadt: +49 351 8560

Emergency services: 112

The national language of Germany is German, but Saxony, of which Dresden is a part of, has some regional dialects so some locals may not speak standard German.

Germany uses the euro (EUR), with €1 equal to 100 cents.

EU visitors are not obliged to pay duty on goods purchased within the EU, whether bringing them into or taking them out of Germany. This is provided that they are for personal use only and not in excessively large quantities.

Non-EU nationals and anyone entering Germany from outside of the EU are permitted bring the following into the country without incurring duty payments: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 litres of spirits (with a maximum of 22 per cent proof) or 1 litre of spirits (exceeding 22 per cent proof) or 2 litres of wine; 50g of perfume or 250ml of eau de toilette; and gifts and souvenirs are allowed to the combined value of €175.

Germans maintain a certain degree of formality in their appearance, body language, actions and interactions during day-to-day affairs although are considerably more relaxed and laid-back in the presence of friends or family.

A handshake is an appropriate form of greeting at introductions and honorary titles (Herr for men, Frau for women) are generally used until suggested otherwise. Punctuality is important in Germany, especially for business meetings, reflecting the German trait for strict organisation in all aspects of their lives.

Nationals of EU member countries need only a valid passport to gain entry to Germany. Visitors from countries outside of the EU usually require a tourist visa, which can be applied for at a German embassy. There are embassies located in capital and major cities in countries around the globe.

The Dresden tourist information office is located inside the Prager Spitze shopping centre and can be contacted at +49 351 49 192 100.