I love a historical city with personality, and Dresden absolutely ticks both boxes and then some! Set along the Elbe River, it’s a city steeped in baroque architecture and echoes of former kings, princes, and electors. There’s so much to take in, which is exactly why I’ve put together this one day in Dresden itinerary – so you can make the most of your time without missing a thing!
Table of contents
Historic churches, inner city palaces and more, Dresden is absolutely one for history lovers. Here’s my guide on what to do in Dresden!
One day in Dresden: What to do, see and visit
What you need to know
- Is one day in Dresden enough? It can be! This itinerary covers all the most must see sights, but it will be a busy day. I’d recommend staying for longer to explore at a more leisurely pace.
- How many days are enough for visiting Dresden? I think one week in Dresden is a great amount of time. It gives you long enough to really explore the city as well as head out on some day trips!
- Is there a lot to do in Dersden? I think there’s a good amount, but not as much as some bigger cities, which is understandable. There are plenty of historical sites to see as well as a few museums.
Public transportation in Dresden
Dresden’s public transportation is incredibly easy to use. Within the city centre, it consists of frequent trams and buses to take you pretty much anywhere. You need a valid ticket, which can be purchased on the DVB app, at ticket machines at stations and bus stops and on the buses and trams themselves.
Note that tickets bought on platforms and stops need to be validated before you start your journey. This is done by inserting your ticket into a yellow machine inside the tram or bus.
Dresden City Card – Tourist Card
The Dresden City Card is the city’s official tourist card. It offers discounted entry to lots of popular museums, tours and shops as well as free use of public transport. You’re able to buy it for 1, 2 or 3 days, making it a great money-saving option if you only have one day in Dresden.
You can find all you need to know on the website here.
Map of attractions in Dresden
How to use this map: Click on the markers for more information about each destination. The blue line shows the fastest walking route between each point. To save this map to your Google Maps, click the star in the top left corner.
A morning in Dresden
You’ll be ticking off most of Dresden’s major historical sights in the morning – don’t worry, though, they’re all located in the historic city centre. I’d recommend hopping on tram number 3, 4, 7 or 9 and riding to the Theaterplatz stop – that’s where you’ll be starting out!
Semperoper – Semper’s Opera House
You’ll kick off your one day in Dresden at Theaterplatz, where two architectural standouts await – the Zwinger and the Semperoper. The Semperoper in particular has had quite a turbulent history. Originally opened in 1841, it was badly damaged by fire in 1869, and then almost entirely destroyed during the 1945 Dresden bombings. Thankfully, it was rebuilt to match its former glory and finally reopened in 1985. Today, this baroque masterpiece is home to the Saxon State Opera and the Semperoper Ballett.
Dresden Zwinger Palace
Also, just off Theaterplatz, one of the most iconic buildings in the city has to be the Zwinger. If you only have one day in Dresden, it’s a must-visit. Originally built in 1709 as an orangery and a venue for tournaments and festivals, it’s now renowned as a great example of Baroque architecture in Germany. Be sure to take a walk all the way around it as well as heading up the stairs onto the roof! At its heart is a beautiful inner courtyard, surrounded by the grand palace buildings – now home to several museums and exhibitions:
- Zwinger Xperience: I didn’t try the Zwinger Xperience, but I did check out the Dresden Festung Xperience. It’s an immersive audio-visual tour where you wear headphones and walk around while illuminations and projections bring the walls to life. You learn all about the history of the Zwinger in a way that’s definitely a step up from your typical museum visit.
- Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments: Home to an impressive collection of around 500 mathematical and scientific instruments, this museum is a real treat if you’re into physics – or just enjoy quirky, brainy exhibits!
- Old Masters Picture Gallery + Sculpture Collection: Showcasing paintings and sculptures by world-renowned artists dating all the way back to the 15th century, this museum is a must-visit for any art lover!
- Porcelain Collection: Dresden is renowned for its porcelain, and this collection features around 2,000 pieces. It showcases artefacts from around the world, many of which were collected by former royalty.
Yenidze
If you only have one day in Dresden, make sure to visit the Yenidze. Styled after a mosque, it stands out from the city’s traditional baroque architecture. This extravagant building was once a cigarette factory, but today, it houses office spaces and a restaurant. It’s definitely one of the most unique things to see in Dresden!
Kathedrale St. Trinitatis – Dresden Cathedral
Head back into the city centre and make your way to Schlossplatz, where you’ll find the impressive Dresden Cathedral. Originally built in the 18th century, the cathedral, like much of the city, was heavily damaged during the bombings and has since been carefully restored. One of my favourite details is along the roofline: 78 statues of notable religious figures stand in a row, almost as if a silent crowd is watching from above. Down in the crypts is the final resting place of 49 members of the Wettin house, who once ruled Saxony.
Fürstenzug – Procession of Princes Porcelain Mural
The largest porcelain artwork in the world, the Fürstenzug, is an absolute must-see. Stretching an impressive 102 metres, it’s made up of over 20,000 porcelain tiles depicting significant figures from the House of Wettin. It was originally created as a painting, but to ensure its longevity, it was later transformed into a more durable mosaic. Despite the devastation of the Dresden bombings, it only suffered minimal damage – meaning what you see today is largely original!
Frauenkirche – Church of Our Lady
Another unmissable sight, if you only have one day in Dresden, is the Frauenkirche. A church has stood on this site since the 11th century, but the original structure was replaced in 1727 by a much larger and extravagant building topped with one of the largest domes in Europe. Sadly, the building was reduced to rubble during the 1945 bombings, and its ruins were left as a memorial for decades. It wasn’t until 1994 that reconstruction began, with the church finally restored to its former glory.
Brühl’s Terrace
From the Frauenkirche, head right past the Kunsthalle and up onto Brühl’s Terrace. At this end, you’ll find the terrace gardens and can walk the full length back to Schlossplatz. Originally part of Dresden’s city fortifications, it’s now affectionately known as the “Balcony of Europe.” The views from up here are brilliant, you’ll get a great look at several of the city’s landmarks as well as being able to see across the Elbe River.
An afternoon in Dresden
For your afternoon in Dresden, you’ll be crossing over the Elbe in Dresden Neustadt, exploring some of the sights there before heading back and checking out the Residenzschloss (Royal Palace)!
Over Augustus Bridge to Neustadt
Augustus Bridge is perfectly placed to connect Dresden’s historic Altstadt (Old Town) with its vibrant Neustadt (New Town) – quite literally linking the past with the present. Cross over for some brilliant views of both sides of the Elbe and head straight into your afternoon adventure!
Golden Rider Statue
At the end of Augustus Bridge, you’ll be welcomed by the Golden Rider statue. It shows Augustus the Strong, former Elector of Saxony, on horseback. It’s entirely covered in gold leaf, making it especially impressive when the sunlight hits!
Neustadt Market Hall
I’m a sucker for a good market hall, so I couldn’t leave out Neustadt Market Hall. Just a short walk from the Golden Rider statue, it makes for the perfect little pit stop. Housed in a beautiful old building, it might only have a handful of shops, but it still delivers all the cosy market hall vibes. I especially recommend the bakery on the ground floor!
Kunsthof Passage
If you only have one day in Dresden, make sure you don’t miss the Kunsthof Passage. Tucked away in the Neustadt, this unique spot is a maze of interconnected courtyards with a café and independent shops. The reason it’s so popular though, is the incredible murals painted across the buildings! Each of the five courtyards has its own theme, with the most famous probably being the Courtyard of the Elements, where twisting drainpipes turn into musical instruments when it rains.
Residenz Schloss
Finally, make your way back to the Altstadt, either on foot or by tram, and head to the Residenzschloss (also known as Dresden Castle or the Royal Palace). Once the residence of Saxon royalty, it’s now one of the most visited landmarks in the city and an absolute must if you only have a day in Dresden. Inside, you’ll find several museums with various ticket options, but the real highlight is the Grünes Gewölbe (Historic Green Vault). This collection of royal treasures is one of the most impressive and notable in Europe so if you’re wondering what to see in Dresden this has to be on your list!
Got more time?
Looking for more things to do in Dresden? Here are a few suggestions if you’re still wondering what to do in Dresden:
Walking tour
There’s no better way to explore a city and learn its history than with a guided walking tour. Here are a few great options if you only have on day in Dresden:
- Dresden Old Town tour – Pay-what-you-want tour including all the major historical sites
- Night Watchman tour – Tour of Dresden as the sun sets accompanied with eerie stories and tales! (Only available in German)
Festung Xperience
Head down into the Dresden Fortress and uncover some of the city’s hidden history. Much like the Zwinger Xperience, this is a multimedia journey complete with headphones and immersive light projections. It’s a creative and unique way to explore Dresden’s past.
If I’m being totally honest, I didn’t fully grasp the storyline it was trying to tell, but with over 2,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating, I’m pretty sure that was a me problem! I’d still absolutely recommend giving it a go. I’ve never done anything quite like it before.
Dresden museums
Dresden has some great museums covering a wide range of interests. Not counting those inside the Zwinger or the Residenzschloss, here are a few of the most popular:
- Museum of MIlitary History
- Albertinium Art Gallery
- German Hygiene Museum
- Dresden Panometer
- Dresden Transport Museum
Dresdner Molkerei Gebrüder Pfund – Pfunds Dairy
Known as the most beautiful dairy shop in the world, this store has become a popular tourist spot in Dresden. Its interior is lined with beautiful hand-painted tiles, it feels like it belongs in a royal palace! As pretty as this place is, if you visit, do be mindful that it is a functioning store.
Summary
All it took was one day in Dresden for me to fall in love with it! There are so many truly beautiful historic sites to explore and so much history to learn about. I can’t recommend a visit enough!
