24 top attractions in Dresden

Dresden has over 13,000 sights, historical, cultural, and archeological monuments, many of which are of world significance. There are picturesque squares and parks, palaces and gardens, numerous theaters, museums and exhibits for all tastes, even a suspension road, the oldest of which can not be found. Of course it is difficult to see everything Dresden has to offer, especially if the city is only available for a few days. That’s why our experts have compiled a list of noteworthy sites for you, which should definitely be on your itinerary in and around Dresden.

Ranking of the best sights in Dresden

Churches, cathedrals and religious buildings

Dresden’s churches and cathedrals astonish tourists with their grandeur, beauty and spirituality. Most of the ancient religious buildings were almost completely destroyed during World War II. But the townspeople have managed to restore and restore the holy places to their original form, giving you an idea of the peculiarities of Dresden’s church architecture from the Middle Ages.

Frauenkirche Church

Rating: 5.0

Frauenkirche is a Lutheran church erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the country’s most majestic, graceful and beautiful cathedrals. The attraction is not only the splendid architectural design, where every detail has been thought out and perfected, but also the rich, luxurious interior. Baroque architectural style was used in the construction, the height of the temple together with the magnificent dome is 95 meters.

The Frauenkirche was built in the 18th century and has a difficult fate. It miraculously survived the many bombings that rained down on the city during World War II. The cathedral was rebuilt literally piece by piece, the restoration process began in the 90s, but the official opening ceremony did not take place until 2005. An entire exhibit in the church is devoted to the reconstruction process.

The Frauenkirche can be accessed through seven portals. Three of them lead to the naves, the other four lead to the towers in the corners of the main building. No central and minor portals. So the architect emphasized that everyone is equal before God.

Entrance to the Frauenkirchte church is free (climbing to the observation deck costs from 5 to 20 EUR).

Kreuzkirche – Church of the Holy Cross

Rating: 4.9

Church of the Holy Cross in Dresden is a center for sacred music and is located on the Old Market Square of the city. One of the oldest and largest cathedrals in Dresden, it can seat up to 3,000 visitors at a time and its tower is 92 m high. An observation platform offers a beautiful view of the nearby town hall and the surrounding neighborhoods. As the church has been damaged and restored several times, it was reflected in its general architectural style, which combines Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Classicist influences.

It takes its name from the fact that in former times the church housed a precious and ancient Christian relic – a piece of the cross from Golgotha. In the church are regularly held performances of children’s choirs, as well as organ music concerts, attracting a large number of tourists. Organists come to Dresden from all over the world – from Britain, France, Switzerland and the USA. The organ in the Church of the Holy Cross is one of Germany’s largest.

Cost of the entrance ticket – from 2 to 4 euros.

Hofkirche – Catholic Court Church

Rating: 4.8

The Hofkirche is an original, light and graceful yet imposing church, the most important Dresden landmark. The church, designed in the style of late Italian Baroque with Romanesque architectural elements, is ornamented with a tower which rises above the city for 83 meters, the tower is crowned with a dome with a cross. The balustrades and niches of the cathedral are decorated with 78 sculptures of apostles and church hierarchs. Rounded arches and lancet windows draw the eyes of passersby, giving the structure both gracefulness and medieval gloom.

The Catholic Church of the Hofkirche was built in 1739 on the orders of the Elector of Saxony, who was a Catholic, whereas the vast majority of his subjects were Protestants. The townspeople opposed the construction, and although it was successfully completed, the bells of the church did not ring for the first time until 1806.

The interior furnishings of the Hofkirche are stunning. Great artists, sculptors and engravers of the time were employed to decorate the interior. Despite much destruction, parts of the decor (paintings, moldings, frescoes) and decoration have been preserved or restored. The church has a magnificent organ, played by Johann Sebastian Bach himself.

Admission to the church is free, you can hear the organ during the service.

Historical and cultural attractions

Almost all of Dresden’s cultural sights are also historical sights, as they were built in the 18th and 19th centuries or earlier. These are monuments, squares and parks, gardens and just individual objects of artistic value.

Zwinger

Rating: 5.0

Zwinger is a huge complex with gardens and galleries. The ensemble is in the late baroque and neo-Renaissance styles. The first building in the Dresden Zwinger was built in the 17th century between the inner and outer walls, which surrounded the city. It was a simple wooden orangery where fruit was grown.

The modern Zwinger is a large-scale museum complex, and its most famous sections are the physics and mathematics salon, the collection of sculptures and statues, and the famous Dresden Picture Gallery. The Semper Opera House is a veritable palace-museum with unique collections of porcelain, paintings, weapons, and more.

The main decoration of the Zwinger is considered the fountains, among which the Nymphenbad, that is, the “Bathing Nymphs”, stands out. Tourists’ attention is also attracted by the melodious, clear ringing of bells made of Meissen porcelain. They adorn the clocks in the east pavilion of the museum complex. Of the many sculptures, the most popular is the figure of Hercules, supporting the earth on his powerful shoulders.

Entry fees range from €8 to €12, with free entry for children up to 5 years of age. There is a Russian audioguide that costs 3 Euros.

Semper Opera House

Rating: 4.9

The Semperoper State Opera in Dresden is one of the most important sights in the city, which all tourists are greatly honored to visit. The opera building is located in the Old Town district and was opened in the mid-18th century. During its history the building has been completely destroyed twice, including during a full-scale bombing of Dresden in World War II. It was rebuilt twice, most recently in 1985. After its restoration, the opera house can seat up to 1,300 people. The building has two main halls for performances. In addition to the main stage, there is a rehearsal room for 200 people, which does not have an orchestra pit. This gives the small hall an indescribable, mysterious chamber atmosphere during performances. The vault of the main stage is decorated with a unique frieze with images of characters from the plays.

The Semper Opera’s repertoire is characterized by a combination of innovations and good old-fashioned productions. The state opera is also the official concert venue of the Saxon State Capella. Check the cost of tickets on the official website of the institution

Brühl’s Terrace

Rating: 4.8

Brühl’s Terrace was originally called the “balcony of Europe”. It was a 500-metre-long stretch of quay on the River Elbe that was given to Heinrich von Bruhl, where buildings that were modern by the standards of the time were erected. King Augustus’ ministerial cabinet ennobled the waterfront, built a palace and library and laid out a beautiful park. Brühl’s work has since been demolished and a new architectural ensemble erected in its place, but the name has stuck, and is still in use today.

On the Brühl’s Terrace you can see several individual landmarks. For example, on the broad staircase from the palace square. The staircase is decorated with a figurative composition by Johannes Schilling. The sculptural group is called “Four Seasons”. Nearby is the Sekundogenitur Palace, where the king’s younger brothers lived. Also on the terrace is the building of the School of Fine Arts. Opposite this building is the monument to Semper, the sculptor who designed the Dresden opera house. On Brühl’s Terrace there are numerous comfortable restaurants and cafés with tables in the open air, where one can relax and admire the roof-top view of the building.

There is no charge for visiting it.

The picture “The Procession of the Princes”

Rating: 4.7

The mosaic “Procession of Princes”, also called “Fürstenzug”, is the largest mosaic in Dresden, Germany and in the world, made from pieces of porcelain tile. The mosaics are more than 100 meters long and over 10 meters high. Total for the panel was spent from 23000 to 25000 tiles of Meissen porcelain. But it was not so much the sheer size of the work of art that made it famous, but rather the idea behind it and the striking artistic execution.

The picture “Duke procession” stands on the facade of the Horse Yard at the Residence of the Kings of Saxony. The courtyard itself is a venue for jousting tournaments, the only one preserved in Europe from the Middle Ages.

The picture shows a grand procession – the procession through the centuries and millennia of the rulers of the Wettings dynasty – the rulers of Saxony and their many subjects. Princes and kings, counts and dukes, standard-bearers and knights, even children and artisans parade from 1123 to 1904. The only things missing from this gallery of the dynasty are Henry the First and the last King of Saxony, Frederick Augustus the Third, who was just a child when the fresco was painted. The total number of characters in the mural is 94, of whom 35 are rulers and members of the dynasty.

Jenice building

Rating: 4.6

Jenice used to be a tobacco factory, and it was still in use until 1953. The Brüder Brüselberg Palace, built in 1909, has an oriental architectural style reminiscent of a mosque, which is not characteristic of Dresden. The owner, a tobacco exporter who had visited Cairo not long before, and who had been struck by the grandeur of the Muslim religious buildings, had chosen this design.

The mosque-like architectural style had a practical purpose, too: it allowed the owner of the building to disguise the chimneys and vents as minarets. Had the pipes been visible, the entrepreneur would not have received permission to build the production buildings. The Jenice building is also famous for the fact that state-of-the-art technologies were used during its planning and construction. This is, for example, the first building in Germany to be constructed with reinforced concrete elements.

At present the attraction is used for several purposes. In the main part there are company offices. Discos are held in the basement and a restaurant is housed under the dome.

Grosser Garten

Rating: 4.5

Grossen Garten is a beautifully landscaped park that covers an area of 155 hectares. Its grounds are lined with centuries-old trees, beautiful flowers and green shrubs. In the heart of Grossen Garten there is a magnificent architectural monument in the Baroque Renaissance style – “The Palace in the Great Garden”. Considered one of the most beautiful parks in Dresden, it offers not only a fascinating landscape and nature, but also various attractions for visitors. These include an indoor tropical greenhouse, a zoo, a railroad for adults and toddlers, a sculpture collection, three theaters. And also numerous cozy restaurants and cafes, where you can take a break and have a bite to eat while admiring the beauty of nature, and beer gardens, where you can enjoy freshly brewed beer. The small pond is also very popular: people row boats, feed birds and squirrels. Flora exhibitions are held in the palace.

Admission to the Grossen Garden is free, and there is no charge for lounging on the lawns, in the shade of the aisles and fountains. But you might have to pay a fee to visit some of the sights. Prices range from 1.5 to 10 euros.

Neumarkt Square

Rating: 4.4

Neumarkt is the city’s most famous square, which is located in the heart of Dresden. Remarkable is the fact that it is gradually being reconstructed in the late Baroque style. If new buildings appear on the square, they are done in the style of historic buildings. The area has gradually developed its structure and has acquired its own unique charm, which is given by the surrounding buildings.

The square gained a more cohesive character and unity after the construction of the Church of St. Mary. Subsequent events have greatly influenced the atmosphere that hangs over Neumarkt. First the revolutionary barricades and the fighting in 1849, then the devastating bombing that left the Frauenkirche as a monument for the victims of World War II.

The renovation and consecration of the Frauenkirche signaled the beginning of a new era for Neumarkt square. Now it’s a cozy and peaceful place that welcomes tourists who like to sit at the foot of the Martin Luther Monument, go to restaurants and do some shopping.

Dresden Zoo

Rating: 4.3

Dresden Zoo is one of the four oldest zoos in the country. It is in the Dresden Great Garden. More than 2000 animals representing more than 300 species live in comfort in the zoo. “Residents” are housed in several separate pavilions. Discover elephants and tropical birds at the “African House. Individually, in conditions reminiscent of the savannah, live the big cats. The family of giraffes also lives in conditions that are as close to natural as possible.

The “Professor Brandes enclosure” deserves special attention, named after the world-famous former director of the zoo. In this pavilion you can see primates and the crested crocodile Max, which peacefully coexist with each other.

Dresden Zoo is not just a home for wild animals and a place for the whole family to relax. It is also the most extensive educational center, focusing on the natural sciences. In 1960, the zoo opened a public school where students can learn the problems and aspects of keeping animals in captivity, ecology and the environment.

Tickets cost between 3 and 12 euros.

Castles and palaces, towers and castles in Dresden

The castles and palaces of Dresden reflect the history of the city and of Germany as a whole. Some were defensive structures, others were the residences of Electors, princes and other nobles. A visit to one of these places of interest is always accompanied by an immersion in the atmosphere of the Romanesque and Gothic periods of the Middle Ages.

Dresden Castle Residence

Rating: 5.0

One of the most beautiful and majestic buildings in the city, Dresden Castle dates back to the 13th century. It has not been spared fires, destruction, bombing damage, followed by restoration and reconstructions. Up to the early 19th century, this building was the residence of the Saxon princes. And it is not surprising, because more than 500 rooms of the castle were built and elegantly furnished to comfortably accommodate the titled couple and their entourage. The facade and architecture of the castle building is admired and admired by lovers of eclectic, Romanesque styles.

Today Dresden Castle is famous for its Hausmann Watch Tower, from which you can see the city like the palm of your hand. The spire of the tower is visible even from far away in Dresden. And also the Green Vaults (collection of precious objects), the Armory, the Numismatic and the Engraving Room. The castle regularly hosts a variety of exhibits and exhibitions, where you can see the works of both old and contemporary artists.

Entrance fees: 8 to 10 euros, free for children up to 17 years of age. Audio guide, available for purchase at the entrance to the castle, €3.

Neuraten Rock Fortress

Rating: 4.9

If you are going to visit Bastai National Park, you can see no less remarkable rock fortress Neuraten besides an ancient bridge. It was once a massive fortified settlement in the 8th century, encircled by a massive paling wall, which gave its name to the area. After all, the term “Bastai” translates to “bastion”.

A walk through the territory where the castle is located is like taking a walk through a labyrinth. Numerous stairs and paths, paths looping left and right, up and down. Tourists happily photograph the remains of ancient wooden ceilings and rooms carved out in the rocks. Visitors can look at the monumental catapult throwing projectiles. There’s also a rainwater collection cistern carved in stone.

The Neuraten castle grounds offer the best view of the cliffs, the bridge and the ravine, as well as the open-air Felsenbühne theater, which lies in the middle of the forest at the foot of the cliffs. Musical festivals, operas and concerts are regularly held on the Dresden stage during the warmer months.

Elbe Castle in Dresden

Rating: 4.8

Dresden’s Elbe Castles are three beautiful, picturesque castles that were built in the 19th century. The three castles are called Eckberg, Lingnera and Albrechtsberg and have never been used for military defence, although they are situated on a strategically advantageous location on the right bank of the Elbe. The castles are adjoined by beautifully landscaped parks and terraces in the English style. These riverside grounds, which run down to the river, are partly used for winegrowing.

The castles of Elbe were ordered by Prince Albrecht of Prussia, but over the last century the castles changed purposes and owners many times. In recent years, luxurious palaces are open to tourists, hotels, restaurants and exhibition centers. Since 2007 one of the castles houses a UNESCO office, working on a World Heritage project.

Even without entering the chateaux themselves, tourists can wander through the shady alleys and admire the majestic architecture of the sites, have a picnic or take a photo session in front of the beautiful royal palaces.

Moritzburg Castle

Rating: 4.7

Moritzburg Castle, a true pearl of Saxon baroque, became popular among post-Soviet tourists not least because the famous fairy tale film “Three Little Nuts for Cinderella” was shot there. This is a truly fantastic place, nestled in the middle of a smooth lake, connected to the mainland by two narrow bridges. Moritzburg Castle was originally the residence of the Wetting dynasty, and is only 14 km away. from Dresden.

The exterior design of the castle is strikingly colourful. Its yellow walls and red roofs create a special atmosphere of fun and festivities. But the interior is completely subordinated to the theme of hunting. The walls are full of period paintings and interior furnishings, typical of the elegant hunting lodge that the castle was in its early days. There are sculptures, a collection of weapons and hunting trophies. The castle has about 200 rooms, the walls of which are decorated with different materials – leather, silver leaf, feathers. Around the castle there are parks in different styles – English, French.

The attraction is open for tourists, the entrance fee is 8 euros.

Dresden Museums

In Dresden there are a lot of museum complexes for different tastes – art, archeological, military-historical. There are also more modern institutions – the Panometer, the Museum of Hygiene, the Kunsthofpassage. Visiting these sights will be not only interesting but also useful pastime.

Albertinum Art Museum

Rating: 5.0

The Albertinum, Dresden’s art museum, is a large-scale exhibition of visual arts. There are paintings by artists from almost all over Europe: French, Polish, Hungarian, Belgian masterpieces. The museum exhibits movements from Romanticism to Impressionism to Realism. The exhibition building, named after the king who ruled Saxony, was constructed during the Renaissance period. It was originally used as an arsenal in the 16th century. The monumental building was finally converted into exhibition rooms at the end of the 19th century. a. The Chancellor. The building was reconstructed until 2010.

Modern Albertinum is visited by tourists who want to admire ancient sculptures and statues, the treasures of the “Green Vault”, extensive collections of banknotes and insignia. Also in this museum, a part of the Dresden State Art Collections is on show. The complex multi-component composition of porcelain, precious metals and stones attracts the visitors’ attention.

The cost of the visit is 10 euros for visitors over 17 years old. For 3 euros, you can get an audio guide in Russian.

German Hygiene Museum

Rating: 4.9

The German Hygiene Museum is a must in Dresden. Visiting it will be useful, informative and interesting for adults, teenagers and children alike. One of the most famous permanent exhibits is “Adventure Man.”. You can see human figures made of transparent material and wax as part of this exhibition. By pushing certain buttons, visitors can see where the organs of the human body are located.

The exhibition is rich with exhibits on health and disease, aging and death, nutrition and hygiene. Teenagers and children will be interested to learn a lot about the human body, its anatomy and functioning. You don’t have to worry about small children seeing anything unnecessary, disturbing, or embarrassing. The complex is conventionally divided into “adult” and “children’s” sections, so it can safely be visited with kids of all ages.

There is a small restaurant and a souvenir store on site. admission prices range from 4.5 to 9 euros, free for visitors up to 16 years of age.

Museum of Transport

Rating: 4.8

The Dresden Transportation Museum is one of the most interesting sights in Dresden. Founded in 1956, it is located in a building that was originally the stud farms of the Elector of Saxony. The building was expanded, a second floor was added, and a chic grand staircase in the English style was added. The exposition is based on railway vehicles such as streetcars, railway cars and locomotives, preserved since the Second World War. The most famous exhibit at the exhibition is the oldest German steam locomotive M

A “denthal” from 1861.

In addition to the railway exhibitions, the complex has other permanent exhibitions: Road Traffic, Urban Public Transport, samples of water and air transport, as well as a model of the railroad, impressive in its detail. Among the exhibits are retro cars, trucks, vintage bicycles and motorcycles, horse-drawn streetcars and the oldest electric streetcar in the city, the first gliders.

Costs 4 – 12 €, free of charge for children up to 5 years of age.

Kunsthof art center

Rating: 4.7



The Kunsthofpassage art center draws the attention of bystanders just by its appearance. The extraordinary shopping gallery is housed in a blue-and-blue painted multi-storey building. There are original design decorations along the facade – numerous, intricately winding water pipes with large funnels at their ends, reminiscent of wind instruments. The interior deserves no less attention. The exhibition is divided into five individual rooms, each with a different theme. The courtyard of the Light is decorated with gold discs and sheets, and the walls of the second hall are painted with images of animals. The remaining rooms are called the House of Metamorphosis, the Court of Fairy Tale Creatures, and the Court of the Elements.

Kunsthofpassage is positioned as an art gallery, which you can visit not only to plunge into the world of modern avant-garde art, but also to buy the exhibits you like. The range of exhibits includes works of authorship – jewelry, leather goods, paintings, figurines, etc.d. You can also have a good time at the arcade, visiting cafes, tea shops, restaurants, liquor stores, and other small places.

Bundeswehr Museum of Military History

Rating: 4.6



While in Dresden it is difficult to pass by the Military Historical Museum of the Bundeswehr and not to pay attention to this building. A monumental building in the classicist style, built at the end of the 19th century. But thanks to the efforts of an American architect, the exterior design of the building has been radically altered – in the middle of the building there is a giant metal triangular wedge that seems to cut through the brick of the building. The building leaves a lasting impression, arousing interest in what lies inside.

Inside the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History contains a variety of exhibits relating to military history. There are cannons and various weapons, military aircraft and a submarine. The collection of the museum complex includes not only modern military equipment, but also antique exhibits from the medieval wars. In total, the collection of the complex has more than 10,000 exhibits.

Admission tickets for adults €3 to €7, free for children and teenagers up to 18 years old.

Dresden Panometer

Rating: 4.5



Panorama is the original modern panorama museum, where paintings by renowned artist Jadegar Assisi are on display. The complex is housed in the former gas storage facility. Renovated in 2006, its special features allow for the display of panoramic pictures related to Dresden history or other topics. For example, one of these pictures with a full-scale image of the city in 1756 is 100 m long and almost 30 m high. The angle of view of the work of art is 360 degrees. The image seems to be looped on a huge screen.

To achieve the effect of presence, the artist used various modern science and technology, including computer graphics and photomontage. The painting depicts life in Dresden on the last day before the Prussian invasion. You can look at the city from three levels, catch a glimpse of the sunset or sunrise, day, night. The exhibit is audio-guided and even the smallest details can be admired with binoculars.

The panoramas in the Panorama Room change from time to time, and visitors can view detailed images not only of Dresden, but also of Rome from the time of Emperor Constantine (312 AD).je.).

Entrance fee – from 11.5 euros.

Dresden bridges and roads

Bridges of Dresden – a bridge between past and present. For picturesque views and an unforgettable experience. Visiting at least a few of the most famous bridges in and around Dresden is on the itinerary of most travelers and visitors.

Lošvice Bridge

Rating: 5.0



The Loschwitz Bridge or “Blue Wonder” is the famous Dresden Bridge, nicknamed for its unusual color and originality. The structure, built in the late 19th century between Blasowitz and Loschwitz, was an engineering sensation. The airy construction, woven of many metal threads, was supported by only two towers. The bridge is thus literally a hinged structure. But if you consider its dimensions – 280 meters long with a span of 146 meters, the presence of only two piers not in the water, but on the banks, was considered a true miracle. 3,500 tons of iron and 100,000 rivets were used to build the structure.

The Loschwitz Bridge is beautiful both day and night. In the daylight the turquoise-blue structure blends in beautifully with the color of the Elbe River flowing underneath. At night, thanks to the rich illumination, the bridge shines and shimmers and comes alive, its lights reflected in the deep waters of the river. In 2007 the Loschwitz Bridge was nominated for the “Historical Symbol of German Engineering” award.

The Lošvice Bridge can be used by car, on foot or by bicycle, as there is a specially equipped pedestrian zone.

Bastai Bridge

Rating: 4.9



The Bastsei bridge, one of the oldest in the country, is located in Saxon Switzerland. However, it is not a separate state, but the name of a national park in Germany, near Dresden. The park itself is undoubtedly worthy of a visit for nature lovers. The old bridge, protected by the state as a historical and architectural monument, is just one of the sights to see there.

The Bastai Bridge is insanely picturesque. Originally, in 1851, it was built of wood, later rebuilt with sandstone. Stone spans of 75 meters long are woven into the rocks at a height of more than 40 meters. There’s also an observation deck on the bridge that offers a breathtaking, truly unforgettable view. Tourists can visit local stores with souvenirs and a restaurant for an alfresco meal. Bastai Bridge – A favorite destination for artists and photographers as well as tourists from all over the world.

The Bastai Bridge is located 24 km from Dresden. You can get there by car as well as by public transport. The most famous view is from the Ferdinandstein cliff, or the Weltürme Towers, which have the same name.

Dresden Suspension Road

Rating: 4.8



The Dresden Suspension Route runs along the slope of Oberlowschitz Hill, which is on the right bank of the Elbe. It became operational in 1901, designed by Eugen Langen, the inventor who took part in working on the first combustion engine. The Dresden Suspension Road (or funicular, monorail) survived World Wars I and II, then was closed for renovation. Already in 2002 the attraction was ready to receive visitors and tourists again.

The Dresden Suspension Route is situated at a height of up to 84 meters. It takes 4.5 minutes for passengers to reach this height. From the windows of the tram cars one can enjoy a picturesque view of the River Elbe, the Blue Wonder Bridge and the Old Town area. There is also an observation deck with a restaurant serving European cuisine.

Not only the monorail itself and the cars are interesting, but also the engine room, where tourists can go. There you can see the powerful electric motor of the funicular railway, an emergency generator motor. And also small models of other electric transport models that Langen designed.

Tickets cost from 5 euros.

Read more  7 Best Karon Beach Hotels