What to do and see in Innere Altstadt, Saxony: The Best Things to do

May 14, 2022 Cedrick Jardin

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

Georg-Treu-Platz 3 Eingang G der Frauenkirche, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 65606100 [email protected] http://www.frauenkirche-dresden.de/
Excellent
72%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 6,555 reviews

Frauenkirche Dresden

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

Theaterplatz 1 Semperbau am Zwinger, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 49142000 [email protected] http://gemaeldegalerie.skd.museum/en
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,867 reviews

Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister

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. Albertinum

Tzschirnerplatz 2, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 49142000 [email protected] https://albertinum.skd.museum
Excellent
53%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
11%
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2%
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4.5 based on 394 reviews

Albertinum

A popular art museum displaying a collection of finely wrought jewelry and sculpture.

Reviewed By CodyDC - Washington DC, United States

The museum is easy to navigate and displays a nice collection of the Dresden museum New Masters. There is a nice small set of impressionist and expressionist paintings. A nice contrast to the Old Masters art gallery, which I would also visit.

4. The Dresden Zwinger

Theaterplatz 1 Ostra-Allee, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 43837030 [email protected] http://www.der-dresdner-zwinger.de
Excellent
70%
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27%
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4.5 based on 4,678 reviews

The Dresden Zwinger

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. Stadtmuseum Dresden

Wilsdruffer Str. 2, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 4887301 [email protected] http://www.stmd.de/
Excellent
50%
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35%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 151 reviews

Stadtmuseum Dresden

Reviewed By joes85 - Warwick, United States

German Stadt museums are usually historical gold mines and the Dresden Stadt Museum is no exception.It is housed in a country estate palace that was constructed between 1770 and 1775. It was rebuilt after its destruction in WWII. It contains four different epoch rooms depicting the City's history from the 12th to the 21st century.Upon entering you find yourself walking over a giant aerial photograph of the City. This is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the City's layout. There is also a scale model of Old Dresden which is impressive. One display portrays the working class tradesmen of Dresden, their manufactures and radical history including the rebellion of 1848. In addition to exhibits and art work the museum contains a cafe& garden, a nice gift shop and was tastefully decorated for Christmas. A Holiday model train layout presented the Old City in HO scale. and was a welcome addition and pleasant surprise for me and other train lovers. Admission is 4-5 Euros and the staff are quite friendly.

6. Bruehlsche Terrasse

Georg-Treu-Platz 1, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany http://www.festung-dresden.de/de/bruehlsche-terrasse/
Excellent
60%
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4.5 based on 1,377 reviews

Bruehlsche Terrasse

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.

7. Semper Opera House (Semperoper)

Theaterplatz 2, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 49110 [email protected] http://www.opernreisen-dresden.de/semperoper-dresden-angebote/
Excellent
71%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,861 reviews

Semper Opera House (Semperoper)

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.

8. Procession of Princes

Augustusstrasse, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany http://www.dresden-und-sachsen.de/dresden/fuerstenzug.htm
Excellent
60%
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4.5 based on 2,607 reviews

Procession of Princes

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)

Dresden, Saxony Germany +49 351 49142000 http://www.skd.museum
Excellent
64%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 207 reviews

Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden Art Galleries)

10. Neumarkt

Altmarkt 1, 01067 Dresden, Saxony Germany http://www.frauenkirche-dresden.de
Excellent
49%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
11%
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4.5 based on 544 reviews

Neumarkt

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.

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