Things To Do
Dresden is a very beautiful, lightspirited city, especially in summer, when you can appreciate the serene setting of the historic center. Although Dresden is larger than Munich when measured by area, the historic center is quite compact and walkable. Be sure to check out these places while in Dresden.
- Zwinger Palace. The baroque palace features a nympheum, many sculptures of Permoser, a bell pavilion and famous art collections. Do not miss the "Alte Meister" - you'll find the famous Madonna Sistina of Rafael there including the well known angels. There is also a very nice museum on the arms of Saxon kings, the "Rüstkammer". Entry is free to the palace but some collections like the porcelain exhibition have an entry fee.
- Semperoper The building is well worth visiting, as it is one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The acoustics and the orchestra, the Staatskapelle, are marvelous. Its history saw many operas of Wagner and Strauss having their first nights there. Nowadays productions are of lower quality and follow the German "Regietheater" fashion. Make sure to inquire about the production in advance, or you might have unpleasant surprises. Make sure to also book tickets in advance. Some last-minute tickets are available from the box office shortly before the performance starts. Seats which do not have a good view are very cheap, and you can sit on benches behind the seats, right at the top of the auditorium, for free. When there is no rehearsal or performance, the opera offers an interesting tour behind the scenes (7 euro, €3.50 reduced and a €2 photography pass, but they don't check if you have it).
- The reconstructed Church of Our Lady was completely destroyed during WWII, and has now been reopened. The City of Coventry, which was raided by the Luftwaffe in WWII, donated the golden cross for the dome of the church. Check out some ruins in the basement. Do not miss the tower visit and bring good shoes to climb in (otherwise you will not be admitted in!).
- Fürstenzug This biggest porcelain painting of the world shows (almost) all Saxon princesses and kings on their horses and splendid parade uniforms. It leads to the "Stallhof" - the last preserved tournament place contained in a European castle. This place is in winter the location of a very romantic Christmas market with a big fireplace.
- Albertinum Museum . The collections of "Neue Meister" feature a wonderful collection ranging from romantic painters (Caspar David Friedrich etc.) up to Rotloff and Van Gogh.
- Gläserne Manufaktur Lennestr. 1, 01069 Dresden, Mon-Sun 8AM-8PM, tel. 018-05-89-6268, infoservice@glaesernemanufaktur.de. The transparent factory is the site where Volkswagen builds its luxury sedan Phaeton. There is a tour (English language) offered by Volkswagen (4 euro, €2 reduced).
- Schloss und Grünes Gewölbe . The Green Vault is Europe's most splendid treasure chamber museum. You can see the biggest green diamond and the court of Aurengzeb and its precious crown jewels.
- Staatliche Kunstsammlungen This website provides a comprehensive overview of all important museums in Dresden:
- Kassematten under the Brühlsche Terrasse (the terrace at the Elbe river) are the remains of the old fort. Gives you a glimse of what a fort in a medieval European town was like.
- Schwebebahn Dresden - a unique aerial tramway.
- Museum of One of Dresden's most important museums.
- Dresden History
- Neue Synagoge, Hasenberg 2. edit
- Elbe valley This used to be on the UNESCO World Heritage List, until the government decided to build a four-lane highway Waldschlösschen Bridge through the heart of it . So now as "the only un-UNESCO'd site in the world" still a tourist attraction.
Dresden from another point of view
- Dresden Neustadt -- Very nice, lively part of the town. From heavy alternative style in the 90s it has become more and more "pseudo-exclusive" and expensive. But still you can still find some of the older ways. Check out the Bunte Republik Neustadt festival in June. But you shouldn't leave your bicycle unattended without a good lock, as there can be a serious risk of damage to your bicycle as well as your car, especially on weekend nights.
- Elbwiesen (River Banks): Go to the (mostly) green river banks, especially in hot summer evenings/nights for a very nice view of the old parts and lot of people playing sports, having barbecues and parties. There are often big concerts and a huge movie screen offers "outdoor cinema."
- Großer Garten (Big Garden): Recommended for relaxing and sports (rollerblades are very common). It is Dresden's "green lung" and can be reached easily by tram. You can also go on a ride on a miniature train through the park.
- Kunsthofpassage It is a passage in the middle of Neustadt where you may find two different buildings, many little stores and some bars.
- Erich-Kästner- Architectural concept museum.
- Military Historic Museum Has many items and machines regarding military in history. A must for the interested. Easily accessible with tram lines 7 and 8 and bus line 91 at stop "Stauffenbergallee". It is free of charge.
- The Artists' Court A nice complex of inner courtyards artistically decorated. The complex offers art galleries as well as coffee shops.
- Weber Dedicated to the Dresdner most famous composer.
- German Hygene Near the Big Garden. A comprehensive museum dedicated to hygene in various times and cultures.
- Pfunds is a milk store which is in the Guinness Book as the most beautiful milk store in the world, which is decorated with 247.90 square meters of handmade tiles.
Other Museums
- Japanisches , on the north bank of the Elbe between Augusbrücke and Marienbrücke. The palace was bombed out, and in its partially restored state holds several small museums, including the museum of natural history of the region, museum of prehistory and a display of assorted exotic garments (ethnological collection).
- Kuegelgenhaus - Museum of Dresdener Romantic
- Kunsthaus An exhibition hall for contemporary art.
- Leonhardi A private art collection of DDR art including works by the collector himself.
- City Gallery of Art from the 16th Century to the present day.
Events
Dresden is host to a number of worldwide known events, often unique or the biggest of their kind:
- The Striezelmarkt is Germany's oldest Christmas market. It takes place from the last days of November until Christmas. Actually located at the Altmarkt, all kinds of shops and Glühwein Buden (mobile cafes selling mulled wine - delicious!) now stretch through the whole city center during this period.
- The Dixieland Festival is Europe's biggest Jazz Festival. It normally takes place within the second week of May (from May 10-14 in 2006) and attracts bands and visitors from all over Europe, America and the world. A great deal of the music is played on the top decks of paddleboats in front of the Old Stadt.
- The Filmnächte take place from June to August at the banks of the Elbe, just across the castle on the other side of the river. A huge movie screen offers cinema in a beautiful setting and there are also many concerts with popular stars. Again, it is the biggest event of its kind in Europe!