The 14 things to do in Dresden

Are you travelling east of Germany? Discover the must-sees to visit Dresden, the "Elbe Florence".

Capital of Saxony and second most populous city of the Länder, Dresden is the fourth largest city in Germany (behind Berlin , Hamburg and Cologne ). Peated by 530,754 inhabitants (2013), the city nicknamed the “Elbe Florence” is a major political and cultural centre in East Germany: its baroque architecture and art collections make Dresden a city with a rich architectural and artistic heritage. The city was rebuilt and dies by the English incendiary bombs of the bombing of February 1945, and its heritage was restored by the Soviet RDA.

Are you asking Dresden to do this? Founded in a former Slavic fishermen’s village, the city of Dresden is today an open-air museum: between the old city and the new city, the main things to do in Dresden is in the city centre.

To help you in preparing your stay, we have selected a list of essential things to do and to see when coming to visit Dresden.

1. The Old Town (Altstadt)

Surrounded by the Elbe, the old town of Dresden is the district that concentrates the vast majority of historical monuments that must be seen to visit Dresden. After 1945, the city centre was rebuilt in full only after the reunification of 1990! Here is a good point: the old centre is exclusively reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. From the Place du Théâtre to the castle of the city to the uncontourable opera Sepmeroper , let yourself be at the sandstone of Dresden and its history, for the least exciting!

2. The Frauenkirche

Frauenkirche , the Notre-Dame church, is an emblematic monument of Dresden: if you know what to do in Dresden, you will not miss this imposing building built between 1726 and 1743. It is a Lutheran church – therefore Protestant – with a stone dome, Baroque architecture and culminating at 96 meters high. Destroyed in 1945, it was rebuilt identically between 1994 and 2005. As soon as it was built in the 18th century, the monument was considered the symbol of Protestantism.

We can climb to the sommital point by surveying 127 steps to reach the panoramic platform, 67 meters high: from there, a breathtaking and panoramic view of the whole rebuilt city offers you!

3. The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of Dresden

Located a few steps from the banks of the Elbe, Cathedral of the Holy Trinity - Hofkirche – is unavoidable to visit Dresden and his old town. Built between 1739 and 1755 to compete with the Protestant church Frauenkirche, the Catholic cathedral of Sainte-Trinité is considered one of the largest churches in Saxony.

4. Brühlsche Terrace

Brühl Terrace , that is surnamed “the balcony of Europe”, is a walk along the Elbe over 500 meters in length: it houses a set of historical monuments of the old centre – like the Academy of Fine Arts and Albertinum – and is one of the favorite places of tourists and locals to walk, observe the flow of the Elbe or discuss with friends.

5. The opera Samper

Want to see one of the most famous operas in the world by visiting Dresden? This city will seduce all lovers of classical music! The opera Samper – or Semperoper – was built between 1838 and 1841 by Gottfried Semper (180361879), destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt identically from 1977. He attracted the greatest classical music artists: Wagner, Schumann and Chopin.

6. The Zwinger

Another unmissable monument if you come to visit Dresden, the Zwinger , located not far from the opera. The Zwinger is a vast esplanade surrounded by baroque-style galleries and pavilions. The museum complex also houses the National Collections of Dresden, a set of 11 museums (painting gallery of the ancient masters, arms room, armor salon, etc.).

For show enthusiasts, the Zwinger is also a concert and gala venue where Les Quatre Saisos de Vivaldi combines Mozart's great classics. Through different shows over the seasons, several companies and groups come to crowd the scenes of the Zwinger for a unique moment of its kind!

7. The Castle of the Residence

All tourist guides speak about it: Château de la Résidence is similar to an obligatory passage for anyone who comes to visit Dresden. Raised during the allied bombing of February 1945, he was also rebuilt in the same way: it is the old residence of the Saxon princes-electors and also a complex with some of the most important museums in Europe, located between the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger Palace.

8. Grünes Gewölbe Museum

Located in the Residence Castle, the Grünes Gewölbe Museum is the museum of the "green vault", the largest collection of treasures in Europe.

Founded in 1723, it is a unique collection of art in Europe as it houses wonders of goldsmithery, gemstone trims, creations made of amber and ivory, containers built with precious stones and bronze statuettes. The historic green vault room has 3,000 pieces of art and about 1,000 objects are exhibited in the “new green vault”.

9. Museum Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister

The museum Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister is the painting gallery of the Old Masters, located throughout the national collections. The museum attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year and is therefore very frequent.

Founded in 1560, Auguste I’s first collection gathered various types of art objects from the time. You will also find Italian Renaissance paintings, including paintings by Raphael, Giorgione and Botticelli. Do not hesitate to visit this museum if you love the history of art, see the European history in painting.

10. The Fürstenzug

What if we talk about street art a little? The Fürstenzug – the “Procession of the Princes” – is the longest porcelain painting work in the world and the most famous of Dresden. Known as one of the most important frescoes in Germany, it occupies an entire section of the old royal palace: a giant mosaic of 25,000 porcelain tiles assembled over 102 meters in length. The fresco represents the history of the throne of Saxony, whose leaders reigned for almost 750 years, between 1127 and 1873.

11. The passage Kunsthof

You don't know what to do to Dresden? Before leaving town, don't miss walking around passage Kunsthof .

A celebrity of the premises, it is very frequented, and for cause: this is where you can see the musical blue house, a building that sings when it rains. Huh, really? Yes. Built in 1999 by the architect Heike Bottcher , the smoothing rainwater in the gutters and pipes resonates and creates melodic notes, thus forming a small natural music. Or how to give the taste to visit Dresden even when it rains!

12. The Dresden Zoo

What other activity can we do in Dresden? The children will be filled with Dresden zoo , a zoo with nearly 3,000 animals of 300 different species on 13 hectares of greenery. Founded in 1861, the zoo specializes in monkeys and attracts nearly 900,000 visitors per year. What to do an ornithological visit, but also a good place to stroll, walk or run.

13. The Panometer

What if you get back to time to know Dresden’s story in a unique experience? Direction le Panometer : a true work designed by artist Yadegar Asisi, the former gasometer now houses various 360° exhibitions with panoramic paintings retracing the history of the city. A journey in time that undoubtedly, is worth the detour if you ask that to do in Dresden during your stay. Original, playful and enriching, the visit of the Panometer promises a unique immersive experience!

14. The Radeberger Brewery

Going through Dresden is also discovering its famous local drink: beer! For a visit to local flavors, you can opt for a trip to Radeberger , the first brewery of the name that, through the centuries, personally marked the history of Dresden. Enjoy it also to taste the famous brewery beer that in turn will tell you the traditions of the place!

How to go to Dresden?

To go to Dresden, there is nothing simpler: the airport, 10 kilometres north of the new city, serves about 30 cities with direct flights. From France, flights stop in Düsseldorf or Frankfurt: you will find them the cheapest on the site to rate partner Ulysses .

From Berlin Prague or Leipzig We can come to Dresden by train. In addition, more than 130 cities are connected by the bus: many companies allow to go to Dresden at low cost.

Where to stay in Dresden?

Is the question of housing? In which area resides in Dresden ? The Old Town Quarter – Altstadt – and the center of the new city ( Innere Neustadt ) are the most central areas where to sleep in Dresden.