Germany · City Guide
Dresden
Dresden is one of Germany's most beautiful and culturally magnificent cities, a baroque jewel on the River Elbe rebuilt after wartime destruction with outstanding art collections, magnificent palaces and one of Europe's most dramatically beautiful opera houses. From the Zwinger Palace and the Frauenkirche to the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister and the beautiful Saxon Switzerland National Park, Dresden offers a depth of German cultural heritage of extraordinary quality.
Elect's take
"Dresden is a city of genuinely extraordinary beauty and cultural ambition. The reconstruction of the Frauenkirche and the quality of the art collections here are remarkable achievements and the combination of baroque splendour and the beautiful Elbe setting creates something genuinely magnificent."
The Zwinger Palace is one of the finest baroque palace complexes in Europe, housing the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister with its outstanding collection of Old Master paintings including Raphael's Sistine Madonna. The Frauenkirche, the magnificent baroque church destroyed in the 1945 bombing and painstakingly rebuilt from original stone fragments, is one of the most moving reconstructions in architectural history. The Semperoper is one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe, a magnificent neo-Renaissance building with outstanding productions. The Saxon Switzerland National Park with its extraordinary sandstone rock formations is approximately 30 minutes from the city.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Zwinger Palace
One of the finest baroque palace complexes in Europe with outstanding gardens and galleries.
Frauenkirche
The magnificent baroque church painstakingly rebuilt from original fragments after wartime destruction.
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
An outstanding collection of Old Masters including Raphael's Sistine Madonna.
Semperoper
One of Europe's most beautiful opera houses with outstanding productions.
Saxon Switzerland
Extraordinary sandstone rock formations in a national park 30 minutes from the city.
Elbe Promenades
Beautiful riverside walks along the Elbe with stunning views of the Dresden skyline.
