Top Things to Do in Dresden: 13 Sights You Shouldn’t Miss

Dresden is one of those cities that people either skip completely or overhype into oblivion. That’s why I’ve put together an honest list of places in Dresden that are actually worth visiting—ranging from well-known attractions to less obvious, unique places I’ve found to be better than some tourist traps. 

Since I live just 2 hours away in Prague, I’ve been to Dresden multiple times, so this isn’t just some brochure fluff. This is my personal list of the best things to do in Dresden, coming from my firsthand experience with zero sugarcoating.

So, what’s Dresden about? It’s a city rebuilt from rubble after WWII, packed with dramatic architecture (mostly Baroque), art collections, and surprisingly good museums. 

In this guide, I’ll take you through the top places to visit in Dresden, including the must-sees, the pleasant surprises, and the one or two things you can absolutely skip if your feet hurt. If you want to know what to see in Dresden that’s actually worth your time, I’ve got you.

Read more about traveling in Germany.

 

Quick List: Best Things to Do in Dresden

1. Visit the Karl May Museum

2. Explore the German Hygiene Museum

3. Check out the Transport Museum

4. Tour the Dresden Royal Palace

5. See the Green Vault

6. Walk through the Zwinger complex

7. Climb the Kreuzkirche tower

8. Step into the Frauenkirche

9. Stroll along Brühl’s Terrace

10. Experience the Dresden Panometer

11. Relax in the Grand Garden

12. Stop by the Golden Rider statue

13. Wander the artsy Kunsthofpassage courtyards

 

Want to see all this in just 24 hours? Check out my 1-day Dresden itinerary to see how to fit the highlights into a single trip (ok, maybe not all of it).

Continue reading to see if the surrounding areas are also worth a visit @ Bastei Bridge

 

Is Dresden Really Worth Visiting?  

It depends where you’re coming from. For me, even if Dresden were just the Karl May Museum, I’d still be happy, so I'm obviously a little biased thanks to my Winnetou obsession (not to mention the fact I can drive there in 2 hours from Prague).  

On the other hand, I’m not at all excited about Baroque architecture, so that brings my excitement down a notch and averages it out to the final verdict of “Dresden is nice”. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it, but if it’s convenient for you, it’s worth a day of your life.  

Then again, you might be from a country where you can only see Baroque on TV, so for you, by all means, go ahead and see all the things there are to do in Dresden.   

Pro hotel tip: I stay at the mightyTwice Hotel when I’m in Dresden. It’s as unique as its name and is certainly a nod to Dresden’s nickname, “Florence on the Elbe”. The interiors are wild!  

 

Here’s my honest, no-BS review of Dresden’s top places to visit, ranked in the order in which I liked them. I spare no one:

 

1. Visit the Karl May Museum—One of the Most Unique Places to See in Dresden   

Karl May's office in the Karl May Museum—for me, even if this was the only thing to do in Dresden, I’d still go
 

Visitor info: 

• Tickets: EUR 10

• Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am–6 pm  

My absolute favorite place to visit in Dresden (because my absolute favorite film when I was a kid was Winnetou) is the Karl May Museum—it’s a must-see. You can imagine Karl May as a German JK Rowling—he is an iconic author that, were he alive today, would’ve caused an uproar on social media.

Who was Karl May?

But instead of kid wizards, he mostly wrote about the American Old West and the experiences of his alter ego, Old Shatterhand, whom he pretended to be in real life… and everyone took the bait! It was only revealed much later that he lied, but he was the one with the last laugh. Having sold over 200 million copies of his adventure books, he was more than successful with his little fabrication. 

He fooled everyone from the Archduke of Austria to Adolf Hitler. That genius trick alone is a reason to put his museum on Dresden’s top things to do list! 

 

 

To think we have Ye and Trump over here rebranding as a god—while Karl just became his own fantasy with zero regrets. 
 

 

Visiting Villa Shatterhand

 

How to have the best experience at the museum

The Karl May Museum in Dresden is located in the house where Karl May spent some of his earlier years, aka Villa Shatterhand.

I recommend starting your tour of the museum from the back where there are exhibits on real Native Americans that include rare artifacts. You can then move on to learn how Karl May portrayed the West in his books, realizing just how much of a genius marketer he really was. I honestly just stood there with a smirk on my face the whole time. My all-time favorite thing to do in Dresden, hands down.  

The museum is located up in the northern boonies of Dresden in Radebeul, about 10 km (6 miles) from Dresden Old Town. Check the website for tips on how to get there by car, train, and tram.  

 

2. Explore the German Hygiene Museum—A Surprisingly Fun Place (Really)! 

German Hygiene Museum
 

 Visitor Info:

• Tickets: EUR 12

• Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am–6 pm, closed on Mondays

This might sound like one of the strangest things to do in Dresden and you’re wondering what right it has being in no. 2 on this list—but I promise you, it’s so much better than you can imagine. The German Hygiene Museum is modern, weirdly engaging, and much less boring than its name suggests. 

I started out skeptical and ended up spending nearly three hours there. I kid you not. I found one of the coolest museums in Dresden while expecting a nothing at all!

During my visit, the AI exhibition was on, and it completely fascinated me—it covered the full spectrum of artificial intelligence without dumbing anything down… which is perfect for me, because I’m almost as smart as I am handsome. Seriously though, it’s super interactive and super thought-provoking.

The permanent exhibit is all about the human body, emotions, sexuality, and other big topics, all presented in a very hands-on way. 

One caveat: A lot of it’s only in German, which I can’t forgive, but there are audio guides (or your trusty translation apps) to save the day. 

Before you visit, check the museum’s website to see the current exhibition—it’s one of the most underrated places to visit in Dresden, so you never know what random-but-interesting facts you’ll get when you’re there. 

 

Be safe. Be like elephants. 

 

3. Transport Museum 

Transport Museum
 

Visitor info:

• Tickets: EUR 11

• Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am–6 pm

My top 3 for Dresden are all museums, and I need you to trust me on this. You just can’t go wrong with a museum in Germany—they’re such good quality! Almost up to par with Belgium’s fantastic museums.  

The Transport Museum is 3 stories of exhibitions about all things transportation—cars, trains, ships, planes… all chronological and full of fun facts. It’s one of the most interesting places to visit in Dresden if you’re even mildly curious about how humans move around.

I especially enjoyed the German war machines and didn’t just skip over that part as if it never happened.  

As a history buff and just an overall information addict myself, I thought it was a superbly well-curated museum. There’s a great combination of text, audio, video and interactive portions that’ll keep you interested from start to finish, no matter how old you are and how many kids you have in tow (zero is also a number).  

Set aside 2 hours to visit the Transport Museum. The location is smack in the middle of Dresden’s Old Town.  

 

4. Tour Dresden Royal Palace (aka Dresden Castle)

Dresden Royal Palace
 

 Visitor info:

• Tickets: EUR 16 for the Royal Palace ticket

• Opening hours: Open daily except for Tuesdays 10 am–5 pm, Fridays until 7 pm 

Dresden’s Royal Palace was almost completely destroyed during WWII, so we can call ourselves lucky that we are even able to see it at all today. After decades of reconstruction, the palace now serves as a museum complex for the Dresden State Art Collections, one of the largest in all of Europe.  

Note: It’s called the Dresden Royal Palace everywhere but on Google, which insists it’s the Dresden Castle. Just so you know those two are the same thing.  

What to expect inside the Dresden Royal Palace

There are 15 museums of various themes, from weapons and mathematical instruments to porcelain and puppets. It’s one of the top places to visit in Dresden if you actually enjoy seeing more than just building facades.    

I recommend visiting the Historic Green Vault specifically (I’ve put it as a separate place to visit on this list because it’s that unmissable—see next item), which is the only museum not on the all-inclusive day ticket. The New Green Vault is on the regular ticket. 

If you want to focus mostly on what life was like for the hundreds of years that the palace served as a hub for those who were in power, buy just the Royal Palace ticket which includes the state apartments, the armor collection, the New Green Vault, the Hall of the Giants and the Renaissance Wing.
 

Dresden Castle
 

Don’t forget to hike up the 327 stairs up Hausmann Tower to get a pretty sweet view of Dresden and take a good look around the courtyard to admire the sgraffito technique on the façade.  

 

5. See the Green Vault—The Shiniest Place to Visit in Dresden’s Old Town  

Grünes Gewölbe in the Royal Palace
 

Visitor info:

• Tickets: Tickets cost EUR 16 and should be bought online (limited number of visitors per day) 

• Opening hours: Open daily except for Tuesdays 10 am–5 pm 

The Green Vault is part of the Royal Palace, but it’s sort of separate, because you need an extra ticket for it. I take that to mean it’s extra special, confirming my placement of it on my list of best things to do in Dresden.

The Green Vault is the palace treasury, meaning it’s a place where you can find all things shiny. There are now two Green Vaults—a new one and a historic one.  

Step inside the Historic Green Vault… through an airlock!

The Historic Green Vault consists of 8 rooms that each look different, but they have one thing in common—they are elaborate! Each room focuses on jewels made out of a different material, and they are not housed in cases, rather being displayed openly, just like they were in the 1700s. Only in the Jewel room are the pieces under glass.  

Because of the absence of cases, you need to enter through an airlock that allows for perfect climate control of the rooms. It made me wonder if I showered enough or if I’m going to get my human cooties all over the 3000 objects that they’re trying to protect. Even back in the day the King only allowed those wearing nice clothes inside. Begone, filthy common folk!  

Limiting the number of daily visitors is another way that the exhibited riches are protected, which is actually the real reason behind the separate ticket. Buy yours online in advance so you snag a spot.  

There are also no descriptions anywhere so as to not ruin all the splendor. Instead, you get an audio guide to give you information.  

Compare it to the New Green Vault

The New Green Vault is very different. The design of the rooms is simple and clean, so all the focus is on the individual pieces displayed in glass cases. You can see the New Green Vault as part of the Royal Palace ticket.  

 

6. Walk through the Zwinger Complex—a Baroque Icon in Dresden

Zwinger (it doesn’t currently look as nice because of renovation works)
 

 Visitor info:

• Tickets: Entry to the garden area is free, tickets to the museums cost between EUR 16

• Opening hours: Gardens are open daily 6 am–9 pm, museums are open daily except for Mondays 10 am–6 pm 

Note: In June 2025, about half of the garden is currently closed due to construction works.

The Zwinger is one of the most important Baroque buildings in Germany. It was built in the place of an old fortress section, called the Zwinger, that lie between the inner and outer fortress walls. It kept it’s old name, but was no longer used as protection for the city, instead meant for festivals, races, art and relaxation.  

The Zwinger was built as a large orangery and garden. It was bombed heavily during WWII, but after reconstruction it now houses 3 galleries: the Old Masters Picture Gallery, the Dresden Porcelain Collection, and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments.  

There isn’t too much left in the way of it’s original intended use—there are no more races or spectacular functions happening at the Zwinger—, but you can still stroll through the gardens, browse the art collections, and the orange trees still brighten the place up every May through October (since they were returned there in 2017).  

It’s definitely one of the top places to visit in Dresden if you’re even remotely into art, architecture, or pretending you’re an 18th-century aristocrat.

 

Just me and my baroque bestie and some incredible art @ Zwinger
 

Zwinger Xperience and how to visit

If you want to experience the Zwinger as you would have in the 18^th century when it was the hottest thing since sliced bread, see if you’d like the Zwinger Xperience.

It’s a multimedia exhibition that’ll take you on “a journey through time”. You even get to ride a bicycle through the gardens wearing VR glasses at the end. Price: EUR 12 for adults.   

Even if you stay in real-time, you can spend 2 hours in the Zwinger interiors and 30 minutes wandering the gardens. I thought it was a really nice place to visit.  

 

7. Climb the Kreuzkirche Tower and Visit Dresden's Town Hall

The Town Hall of Dresden
 

Dresden’s Town Hall (Rathaus) is located in the bottom right corner of Old Town. Just like with most working town halls, all you do it look at it from the outside, just this one has a very tall tower built on its grounds. It’s not exactly one of the must-see places to visit in Dresden, but if you’re already nearby (you will be), you might as well look up and try to appreciate the architecture.

Climb the Kreuzkirche Tower for a view 

Visitor info:

• Tickets: EUR 5

• Opening hours: In general from 11am–6pm depending on the time of the year.

A notable building right across from the Rathaus is the Holy Cross Church (Kreuzkirche) that doesn’t have a fancy interior, but you can climb the tower to get some views of the Old Town and the Rathaus as well.  

 

8. Step into the Frauenkirche—A Dresden Must-See

Frauenkirche aka the Stone Bell
 

Visitor info:

• Tickets: Free entry

• Opening hours: Open daily 10am-11.30am, and 1pm-5.30pm, opening times during weekends vary

I personally thought Frauenkirche was more impressive from the outside than from the inside. Still, it’s one of the top things to see in Dresden, especially if you’re into post-war restorations and imposing architecture, so here’s what to expect:

Why it’s called the “Stone Bell”

The Frauenkirche is a Lutheran church with an unconventional high dome measuring 67 metres (220 ft), giving it a distinct bell shape, and reason for the Frauenkirche’s nickname, “the Stone Bell”.  

Unless you take a guided tour, an audio tour or are somehow more into churches than I am, you can be done looking around inside in about 10 minutes. Since it had to be reconstructed after the WWII bombings, you can tell it’s brand spanking new.  

Climb the dome (or don’t)

Visitor info:

• Tickets: EUR 10

• Opening hours: Open daily 10 am–6 pm, Sundays 1 pm–6 pm (closes earlier in the winter) 

You can also choose to climb the narrow stairwells up to the viewing platform in the dome, which admittedly probably has cool views of the city.

I wouldn’t know, because I didn’t climb up to save time. Besides seeing Dresden from a bird’s view, you also have a chance to see the interior of Frauenkirche through big windows up on the first floor, which could be mildly cool.    

Entry is free unless you climb up the dome; that costs EUR 10.  

 

9. Stroll along Brühl's Terrace (aka the Balcony of Europe)

Brühl's Terrace, a promenade on the former fortress walls
 

Brühl’s Terrace deserves its spot among the best places to visit in Dresden, especially if you’re just after something easy, scenic, and free. 

A promenade on the former fortress walls

The views from Dresden’s Balcony of Europe are some of the prettiest in Dresden. But don’t get confused by the name: Brühl's Terrace is a promenade by the river on the remains of Dresden Fortress.  

Side-rant: The nickname “the Balcony of Europe” had me wondering if they’re trying to battle Spain’s Nerja and their Balcon de Europa. I didn’t even think that one was particularly worthy of the title, and it sits atop cliffs by the sea!  

Expect river views, art, and people-watching

The promenade is about 0.5 km (0.3 miles) long, with plenty of benches to sit on and watch life and the several art installations that you’ll find along the way. You have the river on one side with views of the New Town on the opposite bank, and the old historic buildings lining the promenade behind you.  

I really liked that since the road is one level below you, it’s like you bought the more expensive concert tickets that have the coolest view without the back of everyone’s heads in your face.

Since the walkway is on the old fortress walls, you are higher up, so you’re able to see more of the city than if you were just walking along at river level. If you’re in a people-watching kind of mood or you need a bit of a breather before heading on to explore more of Dresden, head to Brühl's Terrace.  

 

10. Experience the Panometer—A giant slice of imagination   

Dresden Panometer
 

 Visitor info:

• Tickets: EUR 14  

• Opening hours: Open daily 10 am–5 pm during the week and until 6 pm on weekends

What do you get when an artist decides to paint entire worlds at life size and cram them into an old gas tank? You get the Panometer—Dresden’s most unexpected museum/art exhibit.

In 2025, that “world” is the Amazon rainforest. Austrian artist Yadegar Asisi’s newest panorama, AMAZONIA – Fascination of the Tropical Rainforest, is a hyper-realistic, 360° painting that takes you into Brazil’s jungle at a 1:1 scale—giant ants, dripping vines, rainforest humidity and all.

The sheer size of it is wild: a 39-meter- (128-foot-) high former gas holder filled top to bottom with a scene so detailed you could spend an hour spotting bugs and birds before you even realize you’re still in Dresden.

It’s definitely one of the most unique things to do in Dresden, especially if you’ve maxed out on churches and palaces and need something unique for a change.

Panometer in Dresden, showing Dresden... one of the panoramas (not currently being shown in 2025—check website for schedule)

Pro tip: The panoramas shown in the Panometer rotate, so don’t panic if you were hoping to see historic Dresden—Asisi’s reconstruction of the city before (or after) the WWII bombings will return in the future. And it’s just as mind-blowing in scale and detail. I got Baroque Dresden when I visited—figures, since I don’t even like Baroque.

How to visit the Panometer without getting lost or missing stuff

Before you get to the actual panorama, there are smaller paintings, photos and information panels that introduce the subject and the process of creating the panorama.  

Then at the panorama, there are several stories of the viewing platform that you have to climb, revealing more and more detail at the different levels. Remember this this is huge—27 meters (88 ft) high! 

The Dresden Panometer isn’t in the Old Town (duh—no gas holders there). You’ll need to head 5 km (3 miles) southeast. Up to you if you walk, take a taxi or hop on a tram. See the next item on this list to see the gardens you’d be walking through if you opt to walk. My Dresden itinerary will help you decide on a route.  

 

11. Relax in the Grand Garden of Dresden  

Grand Garden of Dresden
 

If Dresden had a Central Park, this would be it. Halfway between the Panometer and Dresden’s Old Town is the Grand Garden of Dresden. It’s a… large park.  

There’s a palace, several lakes, statues, pathways full of joggers, inline skaters, stroller pushers and other annoying sidewalk folk. You can have a picnic, visit a botanical garden, find several fountains, a puppet theater, an outdoor music venue, and Dresden Zoo if you’re really running out of things to stare at.   

There’s a palace, several lakes, statues, pathways full of joggers, inline skaters, stroller pushers and other annoying sidewalk folk. You can have a picnic, visit a botanical garden, find several fountains, a puppet theater, an outdoor music venue, and Dresden Zoo if you’re really running out of things to stare at. 

It’s a solid choice if you’ve already seen the big sights and just want to wander for a while without thinking. The park’s area is roughly 2 km by 1 km (about 1.2 miles by 0.6 miles), so you can easily kill a couple of hours without even trying.  

It’s also conveniently wedged between the Panometer and the Hygiene Museum, which makes it a useful stop if you’re building your own sightseeing loop. Or skip the planning and just follow my 1-day Dresden itinerary like a normal person. 

 

12. Stop by the Golden Rider—A Quirky Dresden Landmark

Augustus the Strong—The Golden Rider
 

The last two places to visit in Dresden on my list are across the Elbe in New Town.  

The first one is a very gold statue of Augustus the Strong on a equally muscular horse. He’s the guy you should be thanking for all the art and Baroque buildings that make Dresden Dresden.  

You’ll find the Golden Rider right across the Augustus Bridge (guess who it’s named after). You can walk or hop on a tram—it’s visible enough that you’ll know when you’re close.

Is it worth going out of your way for? Not really. But if you’re heading to the next stop on this list, then it makes sense pay your shiny respects.

 

13. Wander through the Kunsthofpassage in Dresden’s New Town

Kunsthofpassage  (it’s best to see this building when it’s raining)
 

The only other spot in Dresden’s New Town that made my list of best things to do in Dresden is a small network of alleyways and courtyards that are full of quirky buildings and random art—it’s called the Kunsthofpassage (which creatively translates to: Art Courtyard Passage).  

It’s basically a mini maze of themed courtyards—there’s the Yard of Animals, the Court of Elements, and a couple more where someone clearly had a wild imagination and access to too much paint and metal. 

Come here in the summer and visit some of the little cafes, tiny shops and tourists trying to get a photo of a building that literally plays music when it rains. That’s the Court of Elements, in case you were hoping to be one of those tourists. 

The Kunsthofpassage is in a residential neighborhood no tourist would otherwise venture into, so good thinking on the artists’ part to get some extra tourist money to these parts of town.  

 

Just me, the Elbe, and 800 years of architecture flexing behind me—featuring the Hofkirche and Augustus Bridge

 

Got More Time? Take a Day Trip from Dresden

See how to visit Konigstein Fortress in my Dresden itinerary
 

If you're basing yourself in Dresden and wondering what else there is to do nearby—this is it. These are the day trips actually worth leaving the city for in my opinion. For full details, check out my Dresden itinerary, but here’s the quick list:

• Königstein Fortress (30 km / 24 miles): A hilltop fortress with insane views over the Elbe River. It’s half castle, half military museum.

• Moritzburg Castle (16 km / 10 miles): A fairy-tale hunting lodge sitting on its own island.

• Saxon Switzerland National Park (45 km / 30 miles): Rock formations, forests, hiking trails, and the iconic Bastei Bridge for some crazy views.

If you’ve got an extra day (or two), these are the places that make escaping Dresden totally worth it.

 

The trails and views in Saxon Switzerland are incredible, its one of my favorite day trips from Dresden
 

Like a scene from a fantasy movie—Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland

 

Pro tip: The MightyTwice Hotel Dresden is some of the best value for money 4-star hotel I’ve seen in Europe. I really liked my stay at this concoction of weirdness and luxury. Highly recommend. 

Get a room at Dresden’s MightyTwice Hotel: the best value 4-star hotel in Europe!

 

Final Thoughts: When Not to Visit Dresden

I’ll be honest: Dresden isn’t for everyone. If you’re not into Baroque architecture, don’t care about museums, and wouldn’t be caught dead in a royal treasury, it’s highly likely you’ll be bored within an hour.

Dresden is best for people who get excited about restored palaces, ornate galleries, and historical context. If that’s not you, don’t force it.

You’d be better off heading to Hamburg or Berlin, where there’s more variety, personality, big-city excitement, and way fewer porcelain collections. 

Or try Nuremberg—still historical, but with medieval towers, half-timbered houses, and a walkable Old Town that isn’t obsessed with Baroque. Here’s how to see Nuremberg in one day.

If you still want something more “classic Germany” but with actual mountains, go south. Bavaria’s got the Alps, castles, and hikes that don’t require audio guides.

 

 

Would you like Nuremberg better? I did… 

 

 

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