Dresden, located in eastern Germany, is also called “Florence on the Elbe” thanks to its idyllic riverside location, the city’s Biergartens , its fine examples of Baroque architecture, and world-class museums. Although 80 percent of Dresden’s historic center was destroyed in World War II, important landmarks have been rebuilt to their former glory. As a bonus for visitors, most of the city’s best attractions are within walking distance of Dresden’s Altstadt or the Old Town.
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Adoration in the Church of Our Lady
Direction
Altstadt, 01067 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
The Church of Our Lady of Dresden (Frauenkirche) has a moving history: In WWII, when airstrikes destroyed the city center, the great church collapsed into a 42-foot-high pile of rubble. The ruins remained intact until 1994, when the meticulous reconstruction of the church began. Almost entirely financed by private donations from around the world, the people of Dresden celebrated the resurrection of their Frauenkirche in 2005.
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Act like royalty at Zwinger Palace
Direction
Sophienstrasse, 01067 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
Telephone
+49 351 49142000
Web
Visit the website
The Zwinger Palace is one of the finest examples of late Baroque architecture in Germany. Built between 1710 and 1728, the Zwinger was used for festivities and court tournaments.
Today, the baroque complex of pavilions, galleries, and inner courtyards is home to first-class museums, including the Old Masters Gallery (Alte Meister), displaying Raphael’s famous Sistine Madonna and her sweet cherubs. .
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Stroll through the Brühlsche Terrassen
Direction
Georg-Treu-Platz 1, 01067 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
Telephone
+49 351 501501
Web
Visit the website
Brühl’s terrace (Brühlsche Terrasse) is located between the Elbe river and the old town. Nicknamed ‘the Balcony of Europe’, the terraced promenade was part of Dresden’s original wall until it became the garden of the Royal Palace.
Climb a monumental staircase, flanked by four bronze statues, and take a stroll along the seafront. It is bordered by some of the most beautiful historic buildings in Dresden, including the Royal Art Academy and the Albertinum Museum.
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Follow the procession of princes
Direction
Augustusstrasse 1, 01067 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
Telephone
+49 351 501501
Web
Visit the website
The Procession of Princes (Fürstenzug) is the world’s most massive porcelain mural, depicting a parade of Saxon princes and dukes to commemorate the 1000-year reign of the Wettin dynasty.
It is an impressive 330 feet long and is comprised of 25,000 tiles from the porcelain manufacturer Meissen. The mural covers the exterior of the Royal Mews on Auguststrasse. For a memorable experience, come here at night when the painting is illuminated.
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Admire the largest green diamond in the world
Direction
Residenzschloss, Taschenberg 2, 01067 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
Telephone
+49 351 49142000
Web
Visit the website
The Dresden Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe) houses one of the most beautiful collections of royal treasures in Europe. Housed in the Dresden Palace, August the Strong founded the treasure chamber in the 18th century.
It is filled with elaborate works of art in gold, silver, gemstones, enamel, ivory, bronze and amber, and includes the largest green diamond in the world. This is one of the most popular sites in the world, so get your tickets well in advance.
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Take a ride on the historic steamboat
Take a boat trip on one of the historic steamboats on the Elbe River. You can take an afternoon coffee cruise (where you can eat as much German cake as you like), glide downstream to the porcelain town of Meissen, or take a cruise through the tranquil landscape of Saxony Switzerland.
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Cultivate yourself at the Semper Opera
Direction
Theaterplatz 2, 01067 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
Telephone
+49 351 4911705
Web
Visit the website
Spend an unforgettable evening at the luxurious Semper Opera House, built in 1841 by the German architect Gottfried Semper. Located on the Theater Square in the heart of Dresden, the Opera portal represents famous artists such as Goethe, Shakespeare and Molière.
The Semper Opera was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1945. After extensive reconstruction, the Opera reopened in 1985, with the same piece performed just before its destruction.
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Explore Greater Dresden
The Elbe River, which flows past Dresden’s Old Town, is lined by wide grassy banks, offering stunning views of the Old Town and offering unique places to relax, stroll and barbecue.
During the summer, you can join the locals in the Biergarten or watch movies in one of Germany’s largest open-air theaters for Filmnaechte am Elbufer from July to September. Use the extensive bike trails to explore more of the region.
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Eat in the most beautiful milk store
Direction
Bautzner Str. 79, 01099 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
Telephone
+49 351 808080
Web
Visit the website
The Guinness Book of Records lists Pfund’s Dairy (Dresdner Molkerei Gebrüder Pfund) as the most beautiful milk shop in the world. Opened in 1880 by the Pfund brothers in the Neustadt neighborhood, this assessment is difficult to dispute.
This unique dairy is elaborately decorated from floor to ceiling with hand-painted porcelain from the Neo-Renaissance period. It’s a feast for all the senses – don’t leave without trying some local cheeses, homemade ice cream, or a glass of fresh buttermilk.
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Discover the war history of Germany
Direction
Olbrichtpl. 2, 01099 Dresden, GermanyGet directions
Telephone
+49 351 8232803
Web
Visit the website
Dresden Museum of Military History (Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr) is a fascinating dive into Germany’s military history, as well as an exploration of some of the darker elements of the country’s past.
Originally an 1876 arsenal for Kaiser Wilhelm I, the site has undergone many transformations, including time as a Nazi museum, Soviet museum, and East German museum. Ironically, it survived the Allied attacks of 1945, while much of the city burned due to its location on the outskirts.
The museum has more than a million exhibits, ranging from large equipment and ammunition to replicas and scale models. There is an impressive collection of over 800 land, air, and sea vehicles, over 1,000 cannons, rockets, and flamethrowers, and historically significant items such as the SMS Schleswig-Holstein ship’s bell. However, the focus here is not on the battle of glory or the power of weaponry, but on the human aspects of the war.
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Ride a hanging cable car
Spend just 3 euros (as of 2018) to get a perfect view of Dresden on the Schwebebahn Dresden, a unique hanging cable car. The Schwebebahn Dresden entered service in 1901, becoming the oldest suspended railway in the world. It was completely restored between 1984 and 1992.
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Discover the history of transport
The Dresden Transport Museum is not one of the most visited in the city, but it houses a unique and impressive collection of the first vehicles in history. Spanning over 50,000 square feet, the collection includes steam engines, motorcycles, boats, and more. While the museum houses temporary exhibitions on various topics, the permanent exhibition covers the history of road trips throughout 200 years.
