Tourist Attractions in Dresden

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Dresden

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Dresden

Dresden has long been considered the cultural capital of Saxony. For tourists, it is one of the most interesting German cities. It is a picturesque oasis in the Elbe River valley – surprisingly harmonious, calm and graceful. Dresden’s numerous sights have been skilfully restored after the devastation of World War II, so today thousands of tourists can marvel at its unique atmosphere.

The cultural treasures of Dresden’s museums were carefully preserved for future generations and taken outside the city during the terrible bombings. After the reconstruction, many of the collections were returned to the city. Nowadays, visitors can still enjoy the expositions and learn about the history of ancient Saxony from them.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Dresden

Zwinger

 4.7/5

48148 reviews

Palace and park complex of the 18th and 19th centuries. Its construction began under the Saxon Elector Augustus the Strong, who was impressed by the beauty of the French Versailles and wanted to build an equally beautiful residence in his kingdom. On the territory of the Zwinger there is a picturesque landscape park and several famous museums. The complex was significantly damaged during the 1945 bombing raids, and most of the palace was rebuilt from the ruins.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Albertinum

 4.6/5

1530 reviews

Dresden Art Museum. Until the end of the 19th century, the building housed the Arsenal, then the city archives and museum collections. The gallery was named in honour of King Albert, who was an ardent admirer and connoisseur of art. The Albertinum exhibits works of masters who created in the style of realism, impressionism and romanticism. In addition to paintings, there is a rich sculptural exposition.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Old Masters Picture Gallery

 4.8/5

7219 reviews

Museum located in one of the palaces of the Zwinger. The gallery contains unique masterpieces by artists from the Renaissance onwards. The collection began to form from the first half of the XVIII century with the assistance of the rulers August II and August III. Before the bombing of the Zwinger, the paintings were removed from the museum, so they were saved from destruction. Until 1965, the gallery’s collection was located in the USSR.

Open time

Dresden Castle

 4.7/5

10571 reviews

The official residence of the Saxon rulers. According to historical documents, the first fortress appeared on this site at the end of the 13th century. Over time, the structure acquired an increasingly solemn appearance in accordance with the architectural traditions of successive eras. By the middle of the 16th century, the palace became a residence and was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. By the 19th century, the facade was enriched with Baroque elements and acquired its modern appearance.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Brühl's Terrace

 4.7/5

12280 reviews

A 500 metre long stretch of the Elbe river embankment. In the 19th century, it was a popular strolling place for the European nobility who travelled to Dresden to admire the picturesque views of the city and the river. It was at this time that the Brühl Terrace became known as the “balcony of Europe”. In the 16th century, the promenade was part of Dresden’s military fortification system, but gradually lost its defensive significance.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Frauenkirche Dresden

 4.8/5

28784 reviews

An 18th century cathedral in the monumental Baroque style, designed by architect G. Bär. After the total destruction of the historic building in 1945, the church lay in ruins until the reunification of Germany in the late 80s of the XX century. The inauguration of the fully restored church took place in 2005. This was preceded by the painstaking work of restorers who had been working on recreating the original appearance of the building since 1993.

Open time

Kathedrale Sanctissimae Trinitatis

 4.7/5

2676 reviews

The cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Dresden. The building was built in Baroque style according to the design of G. Chiaveri in the middle of the 18th century. The Hofkirche was originally used as the court church of the family of the ruler Friedrich August II. Inside there is the family crypt of the Wettin dukes, the rulers of Saxony. The church was fully restored after the devastation of World War II by 1962.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM

Holy Cross Church

 4.6/5

3388 reviews

The main Protestant church in Dresden, one of the oldest and largest churches in Saxony. In the 12th century it was the site of the Basilica of St Nicholas. The building burned, collapsed and was rebuilt several times until it received its present form at the end of the 18th century. The outer facade of the Kreuzkirche survived the 1945 bombings. The church has become famous for its boys’ choir, whose virtuoso singing has accompanied services for centuries.

Open time

Dreikönigskirche - House of the Church Dresden

 4.6/5

795 reviews

The first mention of the temple dates back to the 15th century, but the buildings of those times have not survived. The Baroque building was erected according to the project of architect M.D. Pöppelmann in 1739. Inside the church there is a decorative composition (frieze) called “Dresden Dance of Death”, which was created under Augustus the Strong to denounce the “pernicious” ideas of the Church Reformation.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Semperoper Dresden

 4.8/5

13007 reviews

The Dresden State Opera, where one of the oldest European orchestras plays. Under the Saxon rulers, the stage served as the royal opera house. The Semper Opera has premiered several works by the famous composer J. Strauss. The last restoration of the building took place in 1985. In order to recreate the 19th century structure, it took a long search for its original design.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

German Hygiene Museum

 4.5/5

8084 reviews

Anatomical Museum, where visitors can learn about the structure and workings of the human body. It was founded in the first half of the 20th century by the industrialist K.A. Lingner, the inventor of hygienic mouthwash. The first and at that time the most revolutionary exhibit was a glass human figure. All organs and systems were clearly visible through the transparent shell of the model.

Open time

Museum of Military History

 4.5/5

5804 reviews

A major military museum, first opened in 1877. In addition to housing exhibits, its premises were used as an Arsenal and for renting out to businessmen. In 1945, under the terms of the peace treaty, the museum was closed and most of the collection was taken to the USSR. Since 1972 the GDR Army Museum worked in the building. In 1990, after the reunification of Germany, the exposition was reopened under the name of the Military History Museum of the German Armed Forces.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Fürstenzug

 4.8/5

3438 reviews

A composition of porcelain slabs decorating one of the walls of the stable courtyard of the Dresden Castle-Residence. The painting depicts the rulers of Saxony – representatives of the Wettin dynasty. The panel is made of 25 thousand slabs, which are produced at the Meissen manufactory. The attraction was almost unharmed during the destruction of 1945, so tourists can enjoy its original beauty.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Yenidze

 4.3/5

1498 reviews

The building of a former tobacco factory from the early 20th century, built in the original “oriental” manner. The building is crowned with a glass dome, typical of mosque architecture, and is flanked by chimneys disguised as Arabic “minarets”. After the factory was shut down in 1953, the premises are used for offices. There is also a restaurant under the dome.

Open time

Monday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

Pillnitz Castle

 4.6/5

11221 reviews

Summer residence of the rulers of Saxony on the banks of the Elbe. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Water Palace and the Mountain Palace were built according to the design of architects Z. Longlun and M. Pöppelmann by the will of Augustus the Strong Wettin, and the New Palace was built a little later. The Castle Museum, the Museum of Applied Arts and a magnificent landscaped park in the English style are located on the territory of the complex.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Albrechtsberg Palace

 4.6/5

1152 reviews

Three small castles from the mid-19th century on the right bank of the Elbe: Lingner, Albrechtsberg and Ekberg. The structures never fulfilled any defensive functions, they were created for the Prussian Prince Albrecht. In the 20th century the castles were used as hotels, exhibition halls, restaurants, offices of international organisations. The parks surrounding the castles are open to the public.

Open time

Moritzburg Castle

 4.7/5

22594 reviews

A majestic castle in the town of Moritzburg (14 kilometres from Dresden), one of the residences of the royal Wettin dynasty. In the middle of the 16th century, the castle was a hunting estate. Under Augustus the Strong, the building itself was extensively reconstructed and the surrounding landscape was redesigned. The result was a picturesque “palace on the water” in the Saxon Baroque style.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Elbe river

 4.4/5

5 reviews

The riverbed stretches 1,165 kilometres across Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland. The Dresden Elbe valley (and the old centre of Dresden) was a UNESCO site of special beauty before the Waldschlöschen Bridge was built. The valley contains extensive areas of flood meadows on which nothing has ever been built, a closed nature reserve and natural terraces.

Open time

Loschwitz Bridge

 4.6/5

6056 reviews

The official name of the structure is the Lošvický Bridge. The 280 metre long structure connects the districts of Lošvice and Blazevice. The bridge was built at the end of the 19th century according to the progressive and innovative for its time project of engineer B. Kruger. Before the bridge became operational, it was subjected to numerous strength tests. Today, the Blue Miracle is in excellent condition and actively used.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

The BASTEI Bridge

 4.8/5

15469 reviews

A bridge built between the coastal cliffs in the first half of the 19th century. Its architecture is reminiscent of ancient Roman aqueducts and early Romanesque buildings at the same time. It is surrounded by picturesque views of the area known as the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The bridge rises 195 metres above the Elbe and offers a magnificent view of the river valley, mountain plateaus and coastal cliffs.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours