Dresden

Culture & History

Visit the Semperoper in Dresden with its long history and elegant architecture. Embark on a guided tour through this historic opera and uncover the prestige and history behind each turn. Begin at the beautiful Semperoper in Dresden and admire the magnificent architecture in the style of the Italian Renaissance. Explore ornate rooms, reconstructed in the original style. Discover the great acoustics in the elaborate auditorium and learn about the rich history of this grand building. Experience the atmosphere in one of the most beautiful and prestigious opera houses in the world, a truly unforgettable experience.

Explore Dresden's beautiful Old Town at dusk and follow the historical night watchman on his rounds. At nightfall, the hour of the night watchman strikes. His horns ring in narrow alleys, the light of his lantern penetrates the darkness. With his halberd, he protects the honorable citizens from vagabonds and shady characters even in the darkest corners. Look forward to an entertaining tour with spooky stories and juicy anecdotes from centuries past. Furthermore, take a look at the beautiful sights of the city. See the Semper Opera House and the famous Zwinger, walk over the palace square, and get a glimpse of the Brühlschen Terrassen.

Pre-book your entry ticket to the Zwinger in Dresden and gain access to the Zwinger’s Old Masters Picture Gallery, the Sculpture Collection, the Porcelain Collection, and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. Explore Dresden Zwinger’s various galleries and collections and marvel at an ensemble of gardens and a fountain, considered one of Germany’s most important Baroque architectures. The name Zwinger refers to the original position of the complex, between the inner and outer fortress wall.

Pre-book your admission ticket to Residenzschloss, also known as the Dresden Castle or Royal Palace, and get to know this historic site. Enrich your experience with a complimentary audio guide to help you understand the German history behind the castle. With a single ticket, gain access to Residenzschloss’ Neues Grünes Gewölbe (New Green Vault), the Turkish Chamber, the Renaissance Wing, and the Armory. Entry to the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe (Historic Green Vault) is not included. Further explore publicly accessible places such as the extensive art library, various lecture and study halls, as well as the tower known as the Hausmannsturm (available in the summer months), which affords visitors who climb its 327 steps a spectacular view of Dresden.

After meeting your guide in front of the Church of Our Lady, or the Frauenkirche, you’ll head right into the marvelous structure for a thorough tour. After being all but completely destroyed by bombing during World War II, the ruins of the church were left standing for decades. However, after the reunification of Germany, an ambitious campaign was mounted to reconstruct it. After over a decade of construction based on George Bähr’s original plans from the 1720s, the Church of Our Lady was restored to its former glory in 2005. Ever since, its ornate interior and expansive cupola have beckoned visitors to see its glorious tale of rebirth. During your tour, you’ll gain exclusive access to the church’s gallery, and pick up countless insights into the structure that stands representative of Dresden’s progress as a whole.

Experience Dresden, the capital of the beautiful state of Saxony, on a double-decker bus and get off as often as you like at any of the 22 stops to see the sights there. Take advantage of several activities included with your ticket, such as an evening cruise, a night watchman tour, or a children's city tour, as well as entrance fees to various monuments. Begin your journey at the main Postplatz/Zwinger stop or any of the other stops. Decide for yourself whether you would like to take part in a continuous 90-minute city tour past Dresden's most important monuments, or choose to hop off the bus at any point of interest and take a closer look at the respective attraction or monument. Visit the world's most beautiful dairy shop, Pfunds Dairy. Continue to enjoy a guided tour of the Dresden Zwinger, a baroque building complex with gardens that was one of the most important buildings of its time. Another highlight of your excursion is the visit to the Fürstenzug, a monumental image of a cavalcade on 23,000 ceramic tiles considered the largest porcelain image in the world. What's more, listen to interesting explanations about the famous Dresden Frauenkirche, which you will get to know during an outdoor tour. On sunny days, enjoy impressive views of historic Dresden and the Elbe from the open roof of the bus, a perfect position for taking dreamy souvenir photos.

Discover Dresden in an active way and look forward to a perfect mix of culture and nature. Experience the highlights of Dresden and places that lie off the beaten track by bike. This tour follows one of the prettiest cycling routes in Germany and is the ideal start for new visitors as well as Dresden-enthusiasts. Admire the old town along the Elbe banks, flowering gardens and the trendy founding-district of the new town. Follow quiet streets and tracks of an extensive network of cycling routes through the unique landscape of the Elbe Valley without having to cope with significant height differences. Your expert guide provides you with precious insider tips und turns your tour into a special experience.  The route leads you past the Frauenkirche, the Hygiene Museum, the Palais of the Grand Garden and the VW-factory to the Waldschlösschen Bridge, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Elbe castles. Make your way to Pfunds Molkerei (with a short break to use the restrooms) and the hip and trendy district of Dresden, the outer new town. Get a glimpse of the Baroque district, the Palais of Japan and the Theatre Square with the famous Semperoper and Zwinger.

Meet your guide in front of the Zwinger. Explore the city and learn stories about the old Dresden and of the Zwinger, an impressive baroque palace. Delight in your guide’s colorful anecdotes as you pass by Dresden’s stately baroque theater, the Semperosa.  Admire the Fürstenzug, a gorgeous mural depicting a procession of Saxony's rulers. See the Frauenkirche, a majestic Lutheran church topped with an impressive dome. Experience the city in a unique way that combines theater with a traditional tour, creating an unforgettable experience.

Delve into the inner workings of the Volkswagen car factory in Dresden on a guided tour. Enjoy this exciting opportunity to learn about how these cars are manufactured, alongside finding out more about the production process, e-mobility, and digitalization. On the guided tour, be taken directly to the assembly line and the manufacturing area, to observe many of the manufacturing steps at close range. Your guide will provide a fascinating overview of the process of manufacturing electric automobiles and will explain the combination of top-quality craftsmanship and high-precision work required to bring them to life.  Your knowledgeable guide will answer all of your questions about what the future of electromobility holds and will offer exciting insight and outlook into the topic. After the tour, you have the chance to explore other attractions in the vicinity if you wish.

Gently roll down the Elbe on a relaxing boat trip to Pillnitz and back. Sit back and relax as you float by the scenic landscapes of the Elbe Valley. See the Albrechtsberg castle, the Eckberg castle, the Lingner Castle and the Blue Bridge. Start your tour by boarding a historical steamship in the Terrasanufer, located in the heart of Dresden. Admire the stately manors of the Loschwitzer district. In the 1920s and ’30s, the district was the most expensive living area in all of Europe. Marvel at the vineyards that line the banks of the Elbe. Pass by the 4 famous bridges of the Elbe. Listen to the onboard commentary and learn about the history of the area. Take a peek at your steamboat’s engine. Look down into the engine room and watch the pistons as they propel the boat forward. This is an authentic steamboat, not a replica. Be mesmerized by the soft glow of the evening light at your return to the old city center. Enjoy food and drinks available for purchase onboard.