Top Things to Do in the Dresden | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Dresden

Dresden Cathedral

Standing at the end of a bridge over Elbe, this church is the largest in Saxony. Italian architect Gaetano Chiaveri's cathedral is probably the youngest Baroque building. The church's most striking feature is the 3.5 meter tall stone figures in the niches and balustrades. It is built in Italian Baroque style and is yet another monument restored after war. Apart from the sarcophagi of the Wettin kings and princes, the cathedral is also the eternal resting place of the heart of Augustus the Strong. Read More

One of Germany's most famous Opera House. Guided tours to the Opera are conducted almost daily, although you should try catch a show for a true experience. The Semper Opera has hosted premieres of the works of Richard Strauss, Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner. The Opera was disparaged by Allied air attacks , to be restored to its original aura only recently.

The Pillnitz Palace and Park, is on the banks of Elbe, in the Saxony village of Pillnitz, now a district of Dresden. Surrounded by the vineyard slopes and ensconced in the lap of magnificent gardens, this place is alluring. The main palace wing now houses the Museum of Decorative Arts. Home to King Augustus's mistress Constantina von Cosel, till she was banished, the Pillnitz Palace was otherwise a summer residence of the royals. It's an impressive testament to the artistic taste and financial extravagance of Saxony's Electors during the 17th and early 18th Centuries. That aside, standing on the banks of Elbe again are the Wasserpalais (Water Palace), and on the opposite side of the Lustgarten is the Bergpalais (Mountain Palace). The showstealer here is the Schlosspark which has elements of both English and Chinese in its make and is known for the many rare trees that grow here. There is an Orangery and Palm Tree Greenhouse for those interested in botany. You can also visit the tiny Weinbergkirche (Vineyard Church), a charming building with a roof that rises out of the vines. Read More

In Johanneum, one of the oldest buildings in Neumarkt is Dresden's Transport Museum. You can see everything that moves you, in the literal sense - locomotives, trams, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and aircraft. There are numerous artifacts as well relating to the transport system. From miniatures to the original giant sized models, this museum is probably the only one in Germany that exhibits all modes of transportation, except maybe space travel. As you explore from one room to another, you will be able to trace the history of transportation as it developed over the years, some of which clearly don't exist anymore. Read More

The Zwinger was built on Augustus the Strong's wishes of a palace similar to that of King Louis XIV's, in Versailles. Originally constructed as an Orangery and for court festivities, the Zwinger was eventually used for exhibitions. Architect Matth_us P_ppelmann and the sculptor Balthasar Permoser designed this yet another splendid example of late Baroque architecture. The Zwinger has opulent courtyards adorned with fountains. Beyond the courtyards lie the Gem_ldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Gallery) and Porzellansammlung (Porcelain Collection), and the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon with its historical scientific instruments, which cannot be missed. Read More