Dresda, cosa vedere e cosa fare in Sassonia

Dresda (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 English and Americans), it is a city rich in art so much that it deserves the nickname “Florence of the Elbe“, the river that crosses 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, with obviously different times, it is all possible. Dresden in one day involves a considerable forced march. However, it is possible to visit the city of Saxony without neglecting the monuments of Dresden, many of which are listed below. Therefore, visiting Dresden in one day remains a possible goal even if there are really many things to see in Dresden. If you have some time, try to set some aside 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, you don’t have to worry about what to do or see because the capital of Saxony is suitable for all visitors. It is especially the baroque-style palaces and monuments that represent the attractions of Dresden but its cultural liveliness, with events and festivals at any time of the year, places the city of Saxony among the most interesting in the European scene. Dresden has been known since the eighteenth century and it is from that period that the nickname “Florence of the North” derives, which, along with the current “Florence of the Elbe,” indicates the extraordinary artistic beauty of the city of Saxony. Here are some tips on what to see and do in Dresden.

Dresden Germany places of interest

1Frauenkirche di Dresda

Frauenkirche is certainly one of the most visited places in all of Germany. It is the symbol of the rebirth of Dresden 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 brought back to history thanks to careful and meticulous assembly of thousands of original pieces that had been shattered. The Frauenkirche was reopened for Protestant worship in October 2005 and since then it has been visited by over ten million visitors. Today the Frauenkirche hosts numerous festivals and events all year round.

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 Theater in Dresden

The Semperoper Theater 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 it able to present itself to the world as one of the most important classical music venues. It endured the violence of the Second World War and only in 1985 did it return to music. It is possible to participate in guided tours of 45 minutes in German, but there is also material available on site in English.

Ticket price to visit the Semperoper

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

3 Hofkirche, the Catholic Church of Dresden

The Hofkirche of Dresden is a Catholic Church completed in 1755 (started in 1739) and became a cathedral in 1980. It is located at the end of the bridge over the Elbe River and is in the high Italian baroque style. It suffered the violence of war and has been completely restored. Among the most important features is the tower with its 85.5 meters of height and the 78 statues placed in the niches and on the balustrades. Noteworthy internal features are the pulpit, carved in 1722, the Ascension altarpiece from 1751, and the Silbermann organ from 1753. In this church lie the remains of several kings and princes of Saxony. An urn contains the heart of Augustus the Strong (his body is buried in Krakow). Another notable church is the two-tower Christuskirche, dating back to 1903 and the purest example of Art Nouveau architecture in Dresden.

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 “Bath Nymph,” and last but not least the gardens in the Zwinger courtyard, it is an oasis for every visitor to Dresden. The strangely sounding name “Zwinger” is a term used in military architecture and refers to the original position of the building in front of 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 form a Baroque Gesamtkunstwerk in which architecture and sculpture are inextricably linked. 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. The Zoological Museum and the Historical Museum with its exhibitions of weapons from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century are also worth a visit.

Opening hours of the Zwinger Palace

From Tuesday to Sunday: from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

5 Neustadt, the artists’ district of Dresden

In the city center of Dresden, crossing the Augustbrücke bridge, there is the district of Neustadt, well known for its lively atmosphere with 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 is the Kunsthofpassage, a unique place in Dresden that consists 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” you can see strange animal figures on the walls of the building; in the one of “Metamorphosis”, true transformations take shape; in the “Courtyard of Elements” the water passing through funnels along the wall emits music; entering the “Courtyard of Animals” feels like being in the savannah with paintings of giraffes, monkeys, and buffalo, while in the “Courtyard of Light” a building reflects the sun’s rays from outside to inside, providing heating.

6 Brühlsche Terrasse, the “Balcony of Europe”

No trip to Dresden is complete without a visit to the Brühl Terrace or Brühlsche Terrasse, also known as the “Balcony of Europe“. The terrace promenade was part of Dresden’s original bastion, later becoming the garden of the Royal Palace. Noteworthy are the sculptural groups on the staircase representing morning, noon, evening, and night. The only survivor from the original group is the Dolphin Fountain from 1749. Also interesting is the College of Art, built in 1894, and the Moritz Monument, Dresden’s oldest surviving monument, erected in 1553. Finally, also visit the Terrassenufer on the banks of the Elbe, the boat dock. A walk in this area is very interesting as it is flanked by some of Dresden’s most beautiful historic buildings, including the Royal Art Academy and the Albertinum Museum.

7Albertinum in Dresden

Damaged in 2002 by 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 as spectacular as 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 nineteenth century, along with German Impressionists. Other highlights include the Sculpture Collection, featuring works from Egypt, Western Asia, and the Greek, Roman, and Etruscan periods.

Opening hours of the Albertinum Palace

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

Ticket price to visit the Albertinum

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

8 Pfunds Molkerei, the most beautiful dairy in the world

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

Opening hours of Pfunds Molkerei

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 most important bridge in the city. Entirely pedestrian, to the west of the shopping promenade along the river Bruhlsche Terrasse, this bridge connects to the new town.

Below the promenade is the Terrasenufer with all the docks where the river boats dock. Continuing past the bridge Augutusbrucke you come across the city’s best-known pedestrian shopping street, closed to traffic, which goes all the way to Albertplatz. Here is the nightlife and pub district, Aussere Neustadt. Dresden has two railway stations. Almost all trains stop at both stations. Dresden’s main railway station is called Dresden Hauptbahnhof while the second is Dresden-Neustadt. 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 looking for typical local spots, try searching along the “tavern quarter 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 everyone. 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.