by Kolossos (cropped)  / [CC BY-SA 3.0

Dresden's Rebirth - Exploring Iconic Landmarks and Museums

A. About Dresden

Nickname: Florence on the Elbe

Dresden, the Baroque jewel set on the banks of the River Elbe, has been essentially destroyed by the bombs of World War II. 

Fortunately, today most of the important buildings and historical sites in the capital city of Saxony have been repaired and rebuilt skillfully in their old splendor.

Discover the reconstructed Altstadt (Old Town) with its iconic Frauenkirche, world-class museums like the unique Zwinger and the Residenzschloss (Royal Castle), or the legendary Semperoper.

Best Things to do in Dresden

The Good: 

First of all, Dresden scores consistently good in nearly all categories, thus defining the city as very well-rounded.

Thanks to its idyllic location on the banks of the River Elbe, Dresden enjoys a remarkable location.

Furthermore, the city is very safe and clean, easy to get around with an efficient public transport system, and delights visitors with nice shopping.

Finally, the city possesses numerous pedestrian zones, mainly in the old town.

The Not-So-Good: 

Fortunately, Dresden has no real weakness.

No category scores lower than 4.25/10.

B. Best Things to Do in Dresden in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than twenty sights in Dresden. The following sights and attractions contribute to an impressive score of 6/10 in this most important category:

# Zwinger Palace 6 3.5 out of 5 stars

The spectacular Zwinger Palace, a unique masterpiece of German Baroque, consists of an extensive ensemble of buildings pavilions as well as long and arch galleries, which were grouped around a courtyard.

It houses several great museums: the famous "Painting Gallery Alte Meister" 6, the porcelain 5.5 collection, and the Mathematical-Physical Salon 5.5. 

Palace and Museum

# Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

After the world-class Alte Meister Painting Gallery has been renovated for around fifty million euros over the past seven years, it reopened in February 2020.

In addition to seven hundred paintings from the 15th through 18th centuries, 420 sculptures are also on display.

Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 4,000 m2 (43,055 ft2) | Galleries: 55 | Artworks on Display: ca. 1,200 | Established: 1855 | Visitors [2013]: 578,499

The museum's star attraction is undoubtedly the Sistine Madonna by Raphael.

      • Important Masterpieces: 8
      • Highlight: Sistine Madonna, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) (1512), 265 cm Ă— 196 cm (104 in Ă— 77 in)

Show top 10 paintings (click here)

# Residenzschloss: Green Vault 6 3.5 out of 5 stars

The famous restored Green Vault inside the Residenzschloss is the spectacular treasure chamber of the rulers of Saxony.

In its opulent Baroque halls, it houses Germany's most precious gems and curiosities including the largest green diamond in the world, the "Dresden Green".

Museum ⚠️ Prebooking required

Best Things to do in Dresden

by ubahnverleih / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Semperoper 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Named after its architect Gottfried Semper, this iconic opera house is festively perched on the Theaterplatz and attracts up to a thousand visitors every day during guided tours, concerts, and events. 

The Semperoper was destroyed by the bombings of 1945, then rebuilt identically, and inaugurated, for the second time, in 1985.

Opera House

Best Things to do in Dresden

# Frauenkirche 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

After almost fifty years as a ruin and after a reconstruction in which people from all over the world took part, the spectacular Frauenkirche was consecrated again in October 2005.

From the viewing platform above the dome, you have a phenomenal all-around view.

Restored Church

Best Things to do in Dresden

# Residenzschloss (Royal Castle) 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Almost entirely destroyed in the Dresden bombing of 1945, the former residence of the Saxon Electors and Kings has been reconstructed to house parts of the collection in their original settings.

Apart from the exquisite Green Vault 6, the Royal Castle houses the Dresden Armory 5, the Turkish Chamber 5.5, the Kupferstich-Kabinett (Cabinet of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs)5 and the climbable (from April to October, viewing platform at 38 m) Hausmann Tower 5.

Castle, Museum and Viewpoint

Best Things to do in Dresden

by a.canvas.of.light / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Albertinum - Gallery of New Masters 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Located on BrĂĽhl's Terrace, the Albertinum hosts the New Masters Gallery (Galerie Neue Meister)5and the Sculpture Collection (Skulpturensammlung) of the Dresden State Art Collections5.

Modern Art Museum

Best Things to do in Dresden

by David Brandt / CC BY-SA 3.0

# BrĂĽhl's Terrace 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Set between the river Elbe and the Old Town, this approximately five hundred meters long terraced promenade was part of Dresden’s original rampart and offers panoramic views of the Elbe River.

Terrace 

Best Things to do in Dresden

by Max A. / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Dresden Neustadt ("New Town") 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

In the hip Neustadt District, you can experience many trendy restaurants, bars, clubs, and small boutiques.

City District 

Best Things to do in Dresden

# Zwinger Palace: Porzellansammlung 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Located in the Zwinger Palace, the Porzellansammlung presents a treasury of Chinese and Japanese porcelain acquired in the 18th century.

Museum

Best Things to do in Dresden

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Dresden

- Military History Museum 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Museum | Modern Architecture

Best Things to do in Dresden

by Bundeswehr-Fotos / CC BY-SA 3.0

    • Katholische Hofkirche 5.5
    • Panometer Dresden 5
    • Schwebebahn 5
    • Grosser Garten 5
    • Zwinger Palace: Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon 5
    • Procession of Princes 5
    • Kunsthofpassage 5
    • Molkerei GebrĂĽder Pfund 5
    • Golden Rider Statue 5
    • Canaletto Blick 5
    • Pragerstrasse 5
    • Deutsches Hygiene-Museum 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Dresden

Saxon Switzerland 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Saxon Switzerland is a hilly climbing area and national park around the Elbe valley southeast of Dresden, famous for its bizarre stone formations and spectacular views.

Region 46.9 km from Dresden

by Thomas Wolf / CC BY-SA 3.0

Pillnitz Castle and Park (13.9 km from Dresden) 5.5

Blue Wonder Bridge (6.1 km from Dresden) 5.5

Moritzburg Castle (16.8 km from Dresden) 5.5

Leipzig (city, 121 km from Dresden) 5.5

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Dresden 2024 (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Dresden for at least two entire days.

Zwinger Palace 6

Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister 6 

Residenzschloss: Green Vault 6

Semperoper 6

Frauenkirche 6

Saxon Switzerland (46.9 km from Dresden) 6

Residenzschloss (Royal Castle) 5.5

Albertinum 5.5

BrĂĽhl's Terrace 5.5

Neustadt ("New Town") 5.5

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