Dresda, cosa vedere e cosa fare in Sassonia

Dresden (Dresden) is a beautiful city in Saxony, in Germany. Although it was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War (notably the bombing between February 13 and 15, 1945, by the British and Americans), it is a city rich in art, so much so that it deserves the nickname “The Florence of the Elbe“, the river that runs through it. Dresden to see. The German city immediately appears charming to the eyes of those visiting for the first time. And Dresden is beautiful at Christmas but also throughout the rest of the year.

What to see in Dresden

There are many things to see in Dresden. If your question is What to see in Dresden in one day or visiting Dresden in two days, know that in both cases, obviously with different timings, it is all possible. Dresden in one day involves quite a tour de force. However, it is possible to visit the city of Saxony without neglecting the Dresden monuments, many of which are listed below. Therefore, visiting Dresden in one day remains a feasible goal even though there are really many things to see in Dresden. If you have time, try to carve some out for this charming German city that will not disappoint you. Seeing Dresden over the weekend or in three days remains the best advice.

What to see in Dresden

In Dresden, there is no problem about what to do or see because the capital of Saxony is suitable for all visitors. It is mainly the baroque-style palaces and monuments that represent Dresden’s attractions, but its cultural vibrancy, with events and festivals at any time of the year, places the city of Saxony among the most interesting in the European panorama. Dresden has been known since the 18th century and it is from that period that the nickname “Florence of the North,” which today with “Florence of the Elbe” indicates the extraordinary artistic beauty of the city of Saxony, originates. Here are some tips on what to see and do in Dresden.

Dresden Germany places of interest

1Frauenkirche in Dresden

The Frauenkirche is certainly one of the most visited places in all of Germany. It is the symbol of Dresden’s rebirth with its famous dome. It is the Church of Our Lady that collapsed two days after the fatal bombings. It has been rebuilt exactly like the original as a symbol and reminder of what happened during the bloody Second World War. The altar, for example, was restored thanks to careful and meticulous assembly of thousands of original pieces that had shattered. The Frauenkirche was reopened for Protestant worship in October 2005 and since then has been visited by over ten million visitors. Today the Frauenkirche hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year.

Opening Hours of Frauenkirche

From Monday to Friday: from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 18:00. Reduced hours on weekends.

Ticket Price to Visit Frauenkirche

Free entrance. For visiting the dome: 8 euros; 5 euros (reduced); 20 euros (families).

2Semperoper Theatre in Dresden

The Semperoper Theatre in Dresden stands in one of the most beautiful squares in Germany: Theaterplatz. The Dresden Opera House suffered a fire in the early years after its construction (1845) and only in 1878 was able to present itself to the world as one of the most important classical music venues. It endured the violence of World War II and only returned to music in 1985. It is possible to join 45-minute guided tours in German, but English materials are also available on site.

Ticket price to visit the Semperoper

7 euros (full price); 5 euros (reduced).

3 Hofkirche, die katholische Kirche von Dresden

Die Hofkirche in Dresden ist eine katholische Kirche, die 1755 fertiggestellt wurde (Beginn 1739) und 1980 zur Kathedrale wurde. Sie befindet sich am Ende der Brücke über die Elbe und ist im italienischen Hochbarockstil gebaut. Sie hat die Gewalt des Krieges erlitten und wurde komplett restauriert. Zu den wichtigsten Merkmalen gehört der Turm mit einer Höhe von 85,5 Metern und die 78 Statuen, die in den Nischen und auf den Balustraden angebracht sind. Bemerkenswerte innere Merkmale sind die 1722 geschnitzte Kanzel, das Altarbild der Himmelfahrt von 1751 und die Silbermann-Orgel von 1753. In dieser Kirche befinden sich die Überreste mehrerer Könige und Fürsten Sachsens. Eine Urne enthält das Herz von August dem Starken (sein Körper ist in Krakau begraben). Eine weitere bemerkenswerte Kirche ist die zwei Türme hohe Christuskirche, die aus dem Jahr 1903 stammt und das reinste Beispiel des Jugendstils in Dresden ist.

4 Zwinger Palace, Baroque Masterpiece

The Zwinger Palace is one of the most important Baroque buildings in Germany. With its pavilions and galleries, the “Crown Gate,” the “Nymph’s Bath,” and last but not least the gardens in the Zwinger courtyard, it is an oasis for every visitor to Dresden. The oddly sounding name “Zwinger” is a term used in military architecture and refers to the building’s original location opposite the defensive wall around the city. However, it did not serve that function. The Zwinger courtyard was a garden and orangery, a place for court festivities. Its buildings house art collections and a rich library. The galleries with their balustrades, statues, and vases constitute a Baroque Gesamtkunstwerk in which architecture and sculpture are inextricably linked together. The Zwinger is famous for its Dresden Porcelain Collection, for the scientific instruments displayed in the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments, and the magnificent art collections housed in the Zwinger Palace. Also worth a visit are the Zoological Museum and the Historical Museum with its exhibitions of weapons from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century.

Opening Hours of the Zwinger Palace

From Tuesday to Sunday: from 10:00 to 18:00.

5 Neustadt, the artists’ district of Dresden

In the city center of Dresden, crossing the Augustbruke bridge, you will find the district of Neustadt, well known for its lively atmosphere with its trendy venues. It is a district that was not affected by the violence of World War II bombings and retains all its picturesque corners. Here you can find the Kunsthofpassage, a unique place in Dresden consisting of a arcade of five courtyards designed according to specific themes by designers, artists, and builders. Inside these original courtyards, there are restaurants, cafes, galleries, and shops where creativity is given free rein.

For example, in the courtyard of “Mythical Creatures”, strange animal figures can be seen on the building walls; in the “Metamorphoses” courtyard, true transformations take shape; in the “Courtyard of the Elements”, water flowing through funnels along the wall produces music; entering the “Animal Courtyard” feels like being in the savannah with paintings of giraffes, monkeys, and buffalos, while in the “Courtyard of Light” a building reflects solar rays from outside to inside, providing its heating.

6 Brühlsche Terrasse, “El balcón de Europa”

Ningún viaje a Dresde está completo sin una visita a la terraza de Brühl o Brühlsche Terrasse, también conocida como el “balcón de Europa“. El paseo de terrazas formaba parte de la muralla original de Dresde, hasta convertirse en el jardín del Palacio Real. Cabe destacar los grupos escultóricos en la escalinata que representan la mañana, el mediodía, la tarde y la noche. El único superviviente del grupo original es la fuente del Delfín de 1749. También es interesante el College of Art, construido en 1894, y el Monumento Moritz, el monumento más antiguo superviviente de Dresde, erigido en 1553. Finalmente, visiten también el Terrassenufer en las orillas del Elba, el muelle de los barcos. Un paseo por esta zona es muy interesante porque está flanqueada por algunos de los edificios históricos más bellos de Dresde, entre ellos la Royal Art Academy y el Museo Albertinum.

7Albertinum in Dresden

Damaged in 2002 by the flooding of the Elbe River, reopened to the public in 2010, the Albertinum is named after King Albert of Saxony who had it built between 1887 and 1889. The Albertinum is spectacular like the world-class art collection it houses. The museum is best known for its imposing New Masters Gallery with its rich collection of works from the Romantic and Realist periods, as well as French, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian, and Belgian paintings from the 19th century alongside German Impressionists. Other highlights include the Sculpture Collection, with works from Egypt, Western Asia, and the Greek, Roman, and Etruscan eras.

Opening hours of the Albertinum Palace

From Monday to Sunday: from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Ticket price to visit the Albertinum

8 euros (full price); 6 euros (reduced, up to 16 years old); children: free.

8 Pfunds Dairy, the most beautiful dairy in the world

Built in 1880, Pfundsmolkerei is described by many as the most beautiful dairy in the world (mentioned in the Guinness World Records), whose walls are covered with rich painted tiles. It all started in 1879 when a farmer had the idea of providing fresh milk daily to the residents of the city of Dresden. So he opened his shop on Görlitzer Straße. A year later, in 1880, his brother also joined. Since the shop was too small, it was moved in 1891 to Bautzener Straße, number 79. The shop survived the Dresden bombing of 1945. After a brief closure in the 1970s, the shop was reopened in the 1990s. The tiles hand-painted by Villeroy and Boch in 1892 tell the story of the dairy trade. Today, Pfunds Molkerei mainly offers raw milk cheese products. Do not miss the cheese tasting.

Opening hours of Pfunds Molkerei

From Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm – Sunday: from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

9 How to get around Dresden and how to arrive: trains, buses, planes

Dresden stretches along the Elbe River, which separates the old town (Altstadt) from the new town (Neustadt) located to the north. The most important monuments in Dresden can be reached on foot in just 10 minutes from the city’s main station (Hauptbahnhof) via the famous pedestrian shopping street Prager Strasse. The Augutusbrucke is the city’s most important bridge. Entirely pedestrian, west of the riverside promenade Bruhlsche Terrasse shopping area, this bridge connects to the new city.

Below the promenade is the Terrasenufer with all the docks where the river boats dock. Continuing after the Augutusbrucke bridge, you come across the city’s most famous shopping street, closed to traffic, which reaches up to Albertplatz. This is where the nightlife and pub district, Aussere Neustadt, is located. Dresden has two railway stations. Almost all trains arrive at both stations. Dresden’s main railway station is called Dresden Hauptbahnhof, while the second is Dresden-Neusdat. The bus station is located near Hauptbahnhof. Dresden is served by the airport located about 9 km north of the city.

Dresden Tourism

10 Where to eat and drink in Dresden

The city is full of restaurants and places where you can eat and drink. In the Altstadt area there are several options suitable for the masses. If you are instead looking for typical local places, try searching along the “tavern district street,” the Weise Gasse or towards Neustadt, the artists’ district. During the Christmas season, don’t miss the typical Dresden sweet, Dresdner Stollen, which stays fresh for a long time. It symbolizes the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes.

11 Where to stay in Dresden

Hotels in Dresden are not affordable for every budget. They are among the most expensive in Germany. However, there are several alternative options. Here is a selection of hotels in Dresden, but also consider options such as hostels or budget guesthouses.