27 AMAZING things to do in Dresden: Your ULTIMATE guide!

What you need to know

Is Dresden worth visiting? Absolutely! I loved my time there.
Are there many things to do in Dresden? Dresden has such a wide range of things to do. There are plenty of museums, attractions and historical sites to keep you busy.
What are the best things to do in Dresden? If you’re wondering what to see in Dresden, for me, exploring the Altstadt was the best.

Explore Dresden Altstadt (Old Town)

Dresden Altstadt is one of my favourite Old Towns I’ve visited in Germany. The baroque buildings are just unreal, it’s full of personality. Here are the highlights:

Semperoper – Semper Opera House

Sitting proudly on Theaterplatz, the Semperoper is home to both the Semperoper Ballet and the Saxon State Opera. Originally opened in 1841, the building has been almost completely destroyed twice, first by fire and later during the Dresden bombings. The beautiful Baroque opera house you see today was rebuilt and later reopened in 1985.

Dresden Zwinger Palace

Exploring Dresden’s stunning architecture is definitely one of the best things to do in Dresden, and the Zwinger Palace is no exception! One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Zwinger was originally built to host tournaments and lavish gatherings. Today, it houses several museums and exhibitions, including a great collection of 15th–18th century art.

Musems inside the Zwinger

The museums you’ll find inside the Zwinger are:

Porzellansammlung – Porcelain Collection
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister – Old Masters Picture Gallery
Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon – Maths and Physics Salon
Zwinger Xperience

One of the entrances to the Zwinger, one of the top Dresden attractions

Frauenkirche – Church of Our Lady

The baroque interior of the Frauenkirche is absolutely beautiful – and while it’s free to enter and walk around the church, you can also opt for a guided tour. You can also learn about its storied history through a small exhibition, and even climb the church dome!

things to do in dresden — Dresden Frauenkirche

Fürstenzug – Procession of Princes Porcelain Mural

Made up of over 20,000 porcelain tiles and stretching more than 100 metres, seeing the Fürstenzug is definitely one of the best things to do in Dresden. This incredible mural showcases important figures from the House of Wettin, who once ruled over Saxony and so, of course, Dresden itself. Interestingly, the artwork was originally painted, but after suffering weather damage, it was later transformed into tiles to help it stand the test of time!

Seeing the Fürstenzug is always popular when sightseeing in Dresden

Kathedrale St. Trinitatis – Dresden Cathedral

The Cathedral was my favourite building in Dresden, it’s absolutely incredible to see in person. Every inch is packed with intricate details, and along its roofline, 78 statues of notable religious figures stand watch over the city. Down below, in the crypts, 49 members of the House of Wettin, former rulers of Saxony, lie in their final resting place.

Residenzschloss – Dresden Royal Palace

Also known as Dresden Castle, the Residenzschloss sits right in the heart of the Altstadt. Once the residence of Saxony’s royalty, a visit here is now one of the most popular things to do in Dresden. Inside, you’ll find several museums to explore, and you can even climb one of the towers for some brilliant views across the city. Here’s what’s waiting for you inside:

The Turkish Chamber – A stunning collection of Ottoman art and treasures.
The Electoral Wardrobe – Renaissance and baroque fashion once worn by Saxony’s royalty.
Coin Cabinet – Over 300,000 coins, medals, notes, stamps and more to explore.
Giant Hall – A showcase of ceremonial and tournament weaponry.
New Green Vault – Luxurious treasures from the collection of August the Strong.
The Royal State Apartments – The beautifully reconstructed apartments once home to Saxony’s rulers.
Kupferstich-Kabinett – An incredible collection of over 500,000 drawings, sketches and prints, some dating back to the Middle Ages.

A general admittance ticket grants you access to all of the above museums and exhibits.

Grünes Gewölbe – Historic Green Vault

Undoubtedly the highlight of the Residenzschloss, and quite literally its crowning jewel, is the Historic Green Vault. It requires a separate entrance ticket to the rest of the castle, but it’s well worth it. Priceless jewels, treasures from distant lands, and ornate masterpieces from the collection of August the Strong are all carefully displayed here. It’s considered one of the most remarkable royal treasure collections in Europe!

Brühlsche Terrasse – Brühl’s Terrace

Known as the ‘Balcony of Europe’ a walk along Bruhl’s terrace is another one of the best things to do in Dresden. Once part of the city’s old fortifications, today it offers great views across the Elbe River, with Dresden’s beautiful baroque architecture lining the other side.

Neustadt

Located across the Elbe from the Altstadt, Neustadt is without a doubt Dresden’s more hip and trendy side. It’s packed with cosy cafés, buzzing bars, and independent shops and markets. Alongside highlights like Pfund Dairy and the Kunsthof Passage (which I cover below), you can treat yourself to something delicious at the Market Hall, visit the Japanese Palace, and snap a photo of the sparkling Golden Rider statue!

Dresdner Molkerei Gebrüder Pfund – Pfunds Dairy

You probably wouldn’t expect a visit to a dairy shop to land on a list of the best things to do in Dresden, but hear me out. Pfunds Dairy, often dubbed ‘the most beautiful dairy shop in the world,’ has earned its title for a good reason. Step inside and you’ll find an interior lavishly adorned with hand-painted tiles, giving it an almost royal feel. It’s a world away from any dairy I’ve ever known! First opened in 1892, it’s been a beloved part of Dresden’s dairy scene ever since.

Kunsthof Passage

Another one of the more unique things to do in Dresden is to explore the Kunsthof Passage. This quirky spot is made up of a series of interconnected courtyards, each brought to life with vibrant, floor-to-roof murals that transform the buildings into works of art. There are five themed courtyards in total, but the most famous is the Courtyard of the Elements where cleverly designed drainpipes double as musical instruments when it rains.

Yenidze

Just outside Dresden’s Altstadt, you’ll spot something that looks a little out of place among all the baroque architecture. Built-in the style of a grand mosque, the Yenidze was actually once the city’s cigarette factory! These days, it houses a restaurant and office space but it still turns heads with its striking dome and minaret-like chimneys as you pass by.

Schloss Pillnitz – Pillnitz Castle

Visiting Pillnitz Castle near Dresden? Here’s my guide!

Just a short bus ride from Dresden’s city centre lies Pillnitz Castle, once the grand summer residence of Saxon royalty. Today, it’s a popular spot for visitors, with a small museum in one of the castle wings offering a glimpse into its regal past. There’s also plenty to explore outside of the castle. One of the highlights is a 250-year-old camellia plant, towering nearly 9 metres high and 12 metres wide, housed in a specially designed glass structure you can walk around. There’s also a palm house, home to some interesting exotic plants.

Walking tour

Dresden is a city full to the brim with history and one of the best ways to learn all about it is through a walking tour! There are plenty of great options to choose from, here are just a few:

Walkative Free Walking Tour – All the main sights in the city, pay what you wish
Night Watchman Tour – Experience Dresden’s spooky side. Only available in German
Self-guided Scaveger Hunt Tour – Solve riddles and puzzles along the way to learn more about the city

Großer Garten – Grand Garden of Dresden

The largest park in the city, the Grand Garden of Dresden is the perfect place to escape for a bit of peace and quiet. Spanning nearly 2 square kilometres, it was originally laid out in 1676, though it didn’t become public land until 1814. At its heart sits the Sommerpalais, a beautiful baroque palace completed in 1683.

Parkeisenbahn – Park Railway

Winding its way through the Grand Garden is the park railway – a 381mm gauge track offering a 30-minute ride around the park, complete with five station stops along the route. The trains run from April to October, Wednesday to Sunday, making it a fun and easy way to explore the gardens!

Dresden Zoo

I love visiting zoos, so a trip to Dresden Zoo was a must – and it definitely deserves a spot on my list of best things to do in Dresden. It’s not the biggest zoo I’ve ever been to, but it still packs a punch with lions, elephants, orangutans, and loads more. My personal favourites? The Aldabra giant tortoises, affectionately named Hugo II, Hugo III, and Hugo IV. Though oddly… no sign of Hugo I. Suspicious, right?

Schwebebahn – Dresden Suspension Railway

Hop aboard the Schwebebahn and ride up to Dresden’s Oberloschwitz district for fantastic panoramic views over the city and the Elbe River. This historic suspension railway has been operating since 1901, even surviving the world war, and was declared a listed monument in 1975. The ride covers 274 metres in length and climbs 84 metres in height, rewarding you with great views once you reach the top!

Dresden Panometer

The Dresden Panometer is definitely one of the more unique things to do in Dresden. Inside, you’ll find 30-metre-high panorama paintings, one capturing the city during the Baroque era and another depicting the aftermath of the Dresden bombings. It’s an interesting and immersive way to experience the city’s history. More recently, a new Amazon rainforest panorama has been added, running until the end of 2025, allowing you to visit the rainforest without leaving the city!

Museums

Another one of the best things to do in Dresden is to check out a museum or two! The city has some brilliant options, so here’s a quick rundown of a few favourites to help you decide where to head first:

Deutsches Hygiene Museum – German Hygiene Museum

Stick with me on this one – it’s not as strange as it sounds. The Hygiene Museum might have started out as a healthcare information exhibition, but it’s since grown into one of the most popular museums in Dresden. It dives into everything to do with human health and hygiene and features some great temporary exhibitions like The Air We Share.

Bundeswehr Military History Museum

The Museum of Military History takes a deep dive into the history of war and the German Armed Forces. It explores the role conflict has played throughout the centuries along with the lasting consequences war leaves behind.

Verkehrsmuseum – Transport Museum

A must-visit for vehicle enthusiasts, the Transport Museum showcases exhibitions on everything from road to sea to air transport and everything in between. From canoes to cruise liners and balloons to Boeings, if it transports people, you’ll find it here!

Technische Sammlungen Dresden – Museum of Technology and Industry

Packed with everything you need to know about how technology has evolved over time, the Museum of Technology and Industry is another great spot to visit. Its collection covers everything from cameras and media tech to typewriters, radios, and even non-electronic tools and inventions.

Festung Xperience

This is definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Dresden. Housed in the vaults of Dresden Fortress, it’s an immersive audio-visual experience where you wander through the underground chambers, watching projections on the walls and listening to ‘ghost’ Duke Maurice narrate the fortress’s history through headphones.

If I’m being honest I didn’t really understand the story that was being told here. However, that could have been me moving on from the stations too quickly. In terms of the actual experience, I’ve completely different from anything I’ve done before and really recommend it just for that! It’s not scary, but the setting does make it a bit spooky.

BOT Botanical Garden

I love a good botanical garden, so visiting the BOT Botanical Garden was always high on my list of things to do in Dresden. If you’ve been to one before, you’ll know the drill – but if not, here’s what to expect: themed greenhouses, over 10,000 plant species from all around the world, apothecary plants, and even fossilised tree stumps. It’s a great way to explore some nature without leaving the city!

Christmas markets

If you’re visiting during the festive season, exploring the Christmas markets is absolutely one of the best things to do in Dresden in winter. The main event at Striezelmarkt has been spreading holiday cheer since 1434, and with around 15 markets scattered across the city, you’ll have no shortage of twinkling lights, mulled wine, and festive fun to enjoy!

Summary

There are so many fantastic things to do in Dresden, you definitely won’t find yourself bored. It’s a stunning city, packed with stories waiting to be discovered – I honestly can’t recommend that you travel there enough!

27 AMAZING things to do in Dresden: Your ULTIMATE guide!

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