Location: Dresden
Top Things to do in Dresden
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Dresden, Saxony
On the banks of the lovely Elbe River, the German city of Dresden is lush and green, filled with forests and gardens and parks. The city is rich with cultural and artistic history; the great operatic composer Wilhelm Wagner debuted a number of works here in the 1800s and, today, an independent light opera company keeps the classical art form modern and fresh. Culture vultures will love the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister and Grünes Gewölbe museums, and architecture buffs will salivate over the mélange of styles reflected in the cityscape.
Restaurants in Dresden
1. Frauenkirche Dresden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,555 reviews
Once one of Dresden's most famous cathedrals, this structure is currently undergoing a massive reconstruction project to repair the damage done by Allied bombings.
Reviewed By HCovik - Atlanta, United States
It's hard to believe that this beautiful baroque church was completely demolished as a result of allied bombing in February 1945. A piece of the original dome still stands on the square in the same spot as were it landed in 1945. All through the DDR years the church remained a ruin and only after the German reunification effort was made to rebuild it. Restoration started in 1994 and was finished in 2005. What we are looking at is the result. It's absolutely beautiful. It's Baroque at its pinnacle. It actually looks more like an opulent opera building than a church. Its hard to imagine that what we are looking at is less than 25 years old. Frescos on the ceiling look centuries old. Here's were Bach played in 1736 and Wagner conducted. It's absolutely a must see part of Dresden. Being here will give you some sense as to what else was destroyed during the bombings of 1945. The once royal city of the kings of Saxony must have been awesome. The church is open for prayer services, concerts and lectures and the dome can be ascended (between heaven and earth) and offers a stunning view of the city. The first 24 meters (75 ft) are by lift and the the remaining 43 meters (130 ft) take you via narrow stairs, a spiraling ramp and a steep ladder stairway to the viewing platform. Admission fee is 8 Euros for an adult and is definitely worth it.
2. Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,867 reviews
This art museum is jam packed with masterpieces by the likes of Rubens and Titian, but it is most famous for Rafael's Sistine Madonna.
Reviewed By Wadum - Copenhagen, Denmark
The old master galleries in Dresden comprises the most wonderful and complete collection of paintings representing all European schools. The Flemish 16th ad 17th centuries are astonishing and amazing works by The Dutch Johannes Vermeer takes your breath away. The Gemäldegalerie will be rehanging the collection during the second half of 2019 so keep track of this when planning your visits.
3. Schloss & Park Pillnitz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 777 reviews
Once a pleasure palace and later summer residence of the Saxon royals, it used to be the venue for many weddings and festivities back in Augustus the Strong’s time. Museums moved into the Palace in the 20th century and the Palace Park is the city’s most beautiful recreational resort for both Dresdeners and tourists from all over the world. Situated only about 15 km from the city center of the Saxon state capital of Dresden, the Pillnitz Palace & Park is regarded one of the most important chinoise palace estates throughout Europe. The ensemble of architecture and landscaping lies before the backdrop of the vineyards, harmoniously embedded in the riverscape of the Elbe River valley. With such diversity, it is thought to be a perfect destination for lovers of culture and gardens and for families.
Reviewed By papadopoulos40 - Coburg, Germany
Big and diverse garden full of exotic trees, nice castle on the riverside of the Elbe, Good connection to public transport, highly recommended.
4. The Dresden Zwinger
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,678 reviews
Situated in the heart of the Saxon state capital, the Dresden Zwinger ranks among Germany’s most well-known Baroque buildings of Germany and is, apart from the Church of Our Lady, certainly the most famous building monument in Dresden. It accommodates internationally renowned museums and is a place for staging music and theater performances.
Reviewed By 817gerryd - Winnipeg, Canada
I marvelled at the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the various instruments displayed in the mathematical gallery of the Zwinger. I thought I would just breeze through but the intricacies of the objects and the fact that there were English explanations really captured my interest even though I am not that interested in Mathematics. There are displays of clocks , surveying equipment, microscopes and telescopes and very old globes as well as many other inventions.Make sure you visit this gallery which is included on your Museum Pass that you can purchase at the Information centre in the middle of the old town. A two day pass is just 22 Euros.
5. Grosser Garten Dresden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Only a few minutes from Dresden’s city center, it becomes obvious that the art of gardening and landscaping is of great importance to the Saxony’s state capital still today. With its Grand Garden, Dresden has one of Europe’s most important gardens.
Reviewed By Krokosh - Cambridge, United Kingdom
The gardens are very extensive and the miniature railway is worth a ride. You could easily spend an entire day here, and the train makes it easier to get around (assuming that you visit on a day when it is running).
6. Semper Opera House (Semperoper)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,861 reviews
Restored to its former magnificence after its destruction in the 1945 bombing of Dresden, this elaborate, High Renaissance style opera house presents opera, ballet and jazz performances, and is worth a visit if only to marvel at its ornate interior.
Reviewed By 476jael - Long Island, United States
During our train travel through Germany, we visited Dresden, and joined a guided tour of this opera house with our pre-purchased tour tickets. We went to the Theater Square about 15 minutes early to admire the panoramic views of the opera house, Konig Johann Denkmal (King Johann Monument), Zwinger and other beautiful buildings surrounding the square. Then, we went to the opera house entrance. At the tour time, a guide from the opera house came out, and called us in. Once inside, we were led to the coat check-in counter where we checked our bags. Then, we toured various halls and chambers. Near the end of the tour, we were seated at an upper level area of the opera house to enjoy the view of the stage and seating areas. The interior of the opera house reminded us of Vienna State Opera House, although the two opera houses had subtle diffences. Our visit to Semeroper at this time was especially memorable to us, because we had visited Poet Henrich Heine’s birth house in Dusseldorf and Wartburg Castle in Eisenach before arriving at Dresden. Why were these prior visits relevant? It’s because; (1) Richard Wagner staged his masterpieces “Der fliegende Holländer” and “Tannhäuser” in this opera house (Sempreoper’s predecessor:C ourt Theatre). (2) Wagner composed these operas inspired by Henrich Heine’s poems “Der fliegende Holländer” & “Tannhäuser”. (3) Wartburg Castle in Eisenach was the backdrop of Heine’s & Wagner’s “Tannhäuser”. Semperoper tour is highly recommended.
7. Bruehlsche Terrasse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,377 reviews
Once the private garden of the Count of Bruehl, this large open plaza offers the city's best view of the River Elbe. Under the terrace are trenches, battlements and other remnants of the city's original fortifications.
Reviewed By Foto928 - Lanark, Canada
Having taken the Walk On-Walk Off Bus Tour the previous evening we definitely decided to take a walk along this place and loved it. Very interesting buildings facades and great view. Would also recommend to walk over the Augustus Bridge . Since we visited in December it connected us to the Augustus Christmas Market.
8. Procession of Princes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,607 reviews
This 394-foot mural along the wall in the Royal Mews courtyard depicts a parade of Saxony rulers, some walking, others on horseback. Scratched into stucco by the artist in 1876, the mural was later recast onto porcelain tiles and, incredibly, survived the 1945 bombing of Dresden that destroyed most buildings.
Reviewed By jaybeeFL - Palm Harbor, United States
The historical significance of this immense mural is only exceeded by its artistic beauty.The chronological lineage depicted shows the rulers of Saxony over time and is like a history book in wall art. Loved it!
9. Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden Art Galleries)
10. Neumarkt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 544 reviews
Reviewed By debsywalker - Slough, United Kingdom
Took a seat by the Martin Luther statue on a lovely sunny evening and watched the world go by, appreciated the amazing architecture and was serenaded by 3 opera singing buskers in the square. Fabulous experience.
