If you don’t know what every tourist should see in Dresden, take a close look at our review. We will give you competent recommendations and tell you about the best sights of Dresden that will make your trip bright and memorable.
What is the first thing to see in Dresden?
Experienced guides in Dresden recommend that you pay attention to the following cultural, historical and architectural sites:
1. Zwinger
Zwinger – palace and park complex of the XVIII-XIX centuries
Our rating of “Interesting places of Dresden” is rightfully headed by a masterpiece of the Baroque era. At one time, jousting tournaments were held in Zwinger, and the rulers of Saxony organized magnificent celebrations here. The current appearance of this Dresden landmark is the museum-palace, whose numerous halls house unique exhibits: weapons, paintings, porcelain objects, etc.
Official website: https://www.der-dresdner-zwinger.de
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2. Dresden Art Gallery
The Dresden Art Gallery is located in one of the Zwinger palaces.
If you are passionate about the art of different eras, you now know what you should definitely visit in Dresden. The collections of the legendary gallery feature works by such famous masters as Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Poussin. Moreover, it is here that the Sistine Madonna, created by Raphael, is located.
Official website: https://www.skd.museum
3. Albertinum Art Museum
The Albertinum Art Museum is named after King Albert
In the “treasury” of this museum complex you will see many unique sculptures created in the last five thousand years. Among others, there is the oldest collection of antiques from Italy. In addition to sculptural compositions, Egyptian mummies, bronze exhibits, terracotta, etc. are displayed in the halls.
Official website: https://www.skd.museum
4. Dresden Castle Residence
Dresden Castle – the official residence of the Saxon rulers
The residence has an Armory, an engraving room, and a numismatics room, as well as a “green vault” (a collection of precious items). The facade and architecture of the castle building also attract admiring reviews from architecture connoisseurs, and especially fans of eclectic and Romanesque styles. The building is considered one of the most majestic and beautiful in the city: the slender spire of its watchtower can be seen from various districts of Dresden.
Official website: https://www.skd.museum
5. Bruhl’s Terrace
Bruhl’s Terrace was part of the Dresden military fortification system
Which excursions in Dresden can be visited for free? Europa’s balcony or Bruhl’s terrace is half a thousand meters between the Karola and August Bridges. Arriving here, you can enjoy the charming landscapes of the city and the Elbe River. In addition, there are many restaurants and museums on this stretch of the embankment.
Official website: https://www.dresden.de
Check out the magnificent views of Dresden in this beautiful video!
6. Frauenkirche — Church of the Virgin
Frauenkirche is a majestic temple with seven entrances and an observation deck under the dome
One of the main features of this Evangelical Lutheran church is a giant stone bell with two shells. The interior is decorated with sculptures created in the 17th and 18th centuries, an altar and a huge organ.
7. Kreuzkirche — Church of the Holy Cross
Holy Cross Church on Dresden’s Old Market Square at night
This center of sacred music of the city is invariably included in the rating of “the best sights of Germany”. There are performances of the boys’ and boys’ choir, organ music concerts. The temple got its name due to a unique relic that was kept here in the old days – pieces of the cross on which Christ was crucified.
8. Hofkirche — Catholic Court Church
The family tomb of the Wettin dynasty is located in the dungeon of the Hofkirche church.
The Baroque temple has an extraordinarily graceful and airy appearance. And this is despite the fact that its dimensions are quite large: the height of the two–story tower with an onion top and a cross is more than 80 meters, and the width is over 50 meters. The oval-shaped base changes the “appearance” of the structure depending on which side you look at it from.
9. Dreikenigskirche — Church of the Three Magi
The Church of the Three Magi of the XV century User:Kolossos
Medieval building in the Neo-Gothic style. It is especially recommended for those who do not know where to go in Dresden, but want to see the main architectural masterpieces of the city. The temple is famous for its organ, a 7-meter-high altar, an altar painting (Mengas’ creation), a Rococo pulpit and an ancient 12-meter relief “Dance of Death”. Over the many years of its existence, the church has experienced several destructions and fires. However, now it is an excellently reconstructed and restored monument of history and architecture.
10. Semper’s Opera
Theater Square in front of the Dresden Saxon State Opera
If you love music, your trip should include a visit to this opera house. The luxurious three–storey house has no less luxurious interiors, and the opera artists performing here are the national pride of the country. If you do not want to purchase a ticket for the productions, book a guided tour. You will be able to climb to the observation deck, see the stucco, murals, the stage and its structure, the impressive decoration of the interior halls and rooms.
Not everyone knows that behind the main theater there is another building of the Semper Opera 2 (completed later). Performances are also organized here, but more modest. The hall, designed for two hundred spectators, is popular due to its relaxed chamber atmosphere.
11. The German Museum of Hygiene
The German Hygiene Museum was founded by industrialist K.A. Lingner Daderot
Be sure to come to this museum, if only for the sake of its permanent exhibition “Adventure Man”. You will be able to see human figures made of glass and wax. Press the buttons and various parts and organs of the body will be highlighted. Exhibits on death, diseases, aging, nutrition and other processes will be interesting for both children and adults. You will be able to educate your child on issues related to human anatomy, healthy eating and hygiene. The museum is conditionally divided into an “adult” and a “children’s” part, so you can safely visit it with a young child. There is a souvenir shop and a small restaurant on site.
Official website: https://www.dhmd.de
12. Panel “The Procession of Princes”
The famous wall tile panel “The Procession of Princes”
The mosaic work, one hundred meters long, is located on the outer wall of the palace gallery on Augustusstrasse. It depicts the princes of the Saxon dynasty. The current work in the graphite technique was done by V. Walter in 1879, the former panel was painted by an unknown artist more than four hundred years ago. The “Procession of Princes” consists of 94 people – there are children, artisans, scientists, Saxon rulers, and the highest nobility. Greyhounds and horses are depicted together with people.
13. The Bundeswehr Military History Museum
The Military History Museum was first opened in 1877 by Dr. Bernd Gross
Ten thousand exhibits include the first underwater vessel, military aircraft, cannons, a robot for searching for mines, ancient exhibits from the war years and items of modern weapons technology. The museum building can impress no less than its collections: it is pierced through by a huge wedge of shining metal. However, this is just an illusion: if you walk around the building from the back, you will see that the wedge is a separate structure in the middle of an empty Bundeswehr site. Guided tours of the museum are completely free (held at certain hours).
Official website: https://mhm-gatow.de
14. The Jenice Building
The Yenice building resembles a mosque in its architecture
In the past, it was a tobacco factory, now it is a place for offices of various companies. There is a cafe with panoramic views under the dome of the building, and parties are held in the basement. The oriental architectural style built in 1909, so unusual for Dresden, is associated with the style of mosques.
Official website: https://www.yenidze
15. The Elbe Castles of Dresden
Albrechtsberg Castle is one of the three castles created for the Prussian Prince Albrecht Gyrgy.
Three small but beautiful castles built in the 19th century: all of them are open to tourists. Vineyards and beautiful parks are located around the castle complex, ideal for leisurely walks. Ekberg, Lingnera and Albrechtsberg have never been used for defensive purposes, despite the fact that they are located on a strategically convenient elevation.
We have told you about the main sights of Dresden briefly, and we recommend that you definitely see them with your own eyes.
Dresden attractions: what else to visit in Dresden?
Now you know what to see in Dresden in 1 day. If you have any free time, devote it to visits to such famous places as:
16. The Palace-castle of Pilnitz
The Pillnitz Palace and Park Complex is the summer residence of the rulers of Saxony
Few of Dresden’s best attractions can boast as much popularity as this water castle. By the way, there are many museums in it: the exhibits date back to the 17th and 18th centuries (fabrics, paintings, household items, musical instruments). If you are passionate about gardening, take a walk through the local greenhouses in English and Chinese styles, and the garden and park complex. For more than two hundred years, a unique Japanese camellia has been growing here, surprising visitors with its elegance.
Official website: https://www.schlosspillnitz.de
17. Moritzburg Castle
Moritzburg Hunting Castle in the middle of a lake surrounded by forests
A fabulous paradise for introverts. If you are one of them or you like the movie “Three Nuts for Cinderella”, by all means book hotels in Dresden and come here. The building is connected to the outside world only by a narrow path. The magic palace seems to hover over the water and the surrounding lakes. A seascape is imitated on one of the lakes: there is a tall lighthouse and a pier. As we said, you can see the facade of the castle in the Cinderella movie.
Official website: https://www.schloss-moritzburg.de
18. The Elbe River
Vast areas of meadows along the Elbe River
The length of the river is over 1,150 km. The waters of the Elbe River flow over the area of two states – the Czech Republic and Germany. The Dresden Valley (an area of the city with a river section) is a beautiful water meadow that has never been used for construction work. The width of the valley is about one hundred meters. Some slopes along the Elbe are terraced – they are still used for growing grapes. There are several modest historical villages that have been preserved since the Industrial Revolution.
19. Loshvitsky Bridge
View from the Elbe River to Loshvitsky Bridge or the “Blue Miracle”
The landmark, also known as the “Blue Miracle” (the name was given to the non-standard shape and color of the structure). The structure stands on the riverbank on two pillars. The width and length of the bridge are 12 meters and 280 meters, respectively. You can walk along the pedestrian sidewalk, or take a car or bus ride along the roadway of this engineering marvel.
20. Bastai Bridge
View of the Bastai Bridge from the Ferdinandstein Cliff
The unusual and dangerous bridge is located in the German National Park, at an altitude of about two hundred meters above the river. There is a beautiful observation deck, a museum near the bridge, robber huts, a waterfall and several ancient fortresses. The bridge itself stretches between the rocky mountains, and from a bird’s-eye view it opens up a panorama of a national park, a mountain plateau, fields and forests. If you want to take unique photos or just admire the views of Saxony “from the clouds”, you will not find a better place.
Official website: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de
We are sure that our sights of Dresden, the photos with the names and descriptions of which you have just looked at, will interest you. If you want to learn more information and interesting facts about them, hire an experienced guide. Read also about the sights of Dusseldorf and be inspired to continue your journey through Germany.
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