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Albertinum
An architecturally imposing block, Albertinum houses many of Dresden's art treasures, including the Galerie Neue Meister, with renowned 19th- and 20th-century paintings from leading French and German Impressionists. Or take a gander at the Münzkabinett collection of antique coins and medals, and the Skulpturensammlung, which includes classical and Egyptian works.
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Albertplatz
Albertplatz has two striking fountains representing turbulent and still waters. Also found here are an evocative marble Schiller monument and the interactive Erich-Kästner-Museum, dedicated to the beloved children's book author and outspoken Nazi critic.
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Botanischer Garten
At Grosser Garten's northwestern corner is the Botanischer Garten.
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Deutsches Hygiene-Museum
The name may be odd, but don't let that deter you from visiting the unique Deutsches Hygiene-Museum which is really all about you, the human being. The revamped permanent exhibit is a virtual journey through the body, drawing from anatomy, cultural studies, social science, history and scientific research.
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Dreikönigskirche
The renovated Dreikönigskirche was designed by Zwinger-architect Pöppelmann. Eye-catching features include a baroque altar ruined in 1945 and left as a memorial, and the Dance of Death frieze, a rare Renaissance artwork. The tower can be climbed.
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Dresdner Elbtal
The Saxon heartland, with Dresden at its centre, represents one of the richest cultural tapestries in all of Germany. This fact obviously didn't escape the Unesco officers in charge of designating new World Heritage sites, who in 2004 welcomed a 20km section of the river valley, the Dresdner Elbtal, into their prestigious club. This stretch follows the Elbe downstream from Schloss Pillnitz to Schloss Übigau, passing by Dresden's matchless baroque magnificence along the way.
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Erich-Kästner-Museum
On Albertplatz you'll find the interactive Erich-Kästner-Museum, dedicated to the beloved children's book author and outspoken Nazi critic.
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Festung Dresden
The Renaissance brick bastion, known as the Festung Dresden, is now a museum. The free audio-guide helps bring the place to life.
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Frauenkirche
The domed Frauenkirche, which is one of Dresden's most beloved symbols, has literally risen from the ruins of the city. The original, designed by Georg Bähr, graced Dresden's skyline for two centuries before collapsing two days after the February 1945 bombing. The GDR left the rubble as a war memorial, but after reunification a grass-roots movement to rebuild the landmark gained momentum. It was consecrated in November 2005, a year ahead of schedule.
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Fürstenzug
The 102m-long Fürstenzug mural is depicted on the façade of the former Stallhof (royal stables). The scene, a long row of royalty on horses, was first painted in 1876 by Wullhelm Walther and then transferred to some 24,000 Meissen porcelain tiles in 1904.
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Galerie Neue Meister
Selections from the Galerie Neue Meister, where works by leading Impressionists and other modern masters are in exile while the collection's usual home, the Albertinum, is undergoing renovation until at least 2009.
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Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
The most important museum in the Zwinger is the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, which features masterpieces including Raphael's Sistine Madonna. The ticket also includes admission to selections from the Galerie Neue Meister.
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Gläserne Manufaktur
The striking Volkswagen Gläserne Manufaktur is a working factory producing Bentleys and the prestige Phaeton line, with much of the process visible through the glass windows. Tours in German are offered by prior appointment only.
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Goldener Reiter
The blindingly gleaming Goldener Reiter is a statue of Augustus the Strong (1736).
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Grosser Garten
Occupying the former royal hunting grounds, is the aptly named Grosser Garten, an enchanting refuge during the warmer months. A visitor magnet here is the excellent Zoo, where crowds gravitate toward the Africa Hall and the new Tundra exhibit with arctic foxes and snowy owls. At the garden's northwestern corner is the Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden). From April to October, a fun way to get around the park is aboard a miniature train.
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Hausmannsturm
For fine views, head up the Hausmannsturm. Numismatists might like to pop into the Münzkabinett (Coin Collection), also in the tower.
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Historisches Grünes Gewölbe
Since September 2006, an additional 3000 items have been exhibited in Residenzschloss' Historisches Grünes Gewölbe. They are displayed on shelves and tables in a series of increasingly lavish rooms, just as they were during the time of August der Starke. To protect the artworks, which are not behind glass, visitors must pass through a 'dust lock' and numbers are limited to 100 per hour.
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Hofkirche
The baroque Hofkirche was completed in 1755. Its crypt contains the heart of Augustus the Strong; his body is in Cracow. Note the parade of fabulous sculptures peering down from the church's exterior balustrade.
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Japanisches Palais
The not-very-Japanese Japanisches Palais, built in 1737, houses Dresden's famous Museum für Völkerkunde (Museum of Ethnology), which boasts well over 70,000 anthropological items from far-flung corners of the world, as well as the Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte (State Museum of Prehistory).
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Kreuzkirche
The late baroque Kreuzkirche was rebuilt after the war. The church's interior was left deliberately plain and is best enjoyed during a concert, or at evening prayers which are accompanied by the church's world-famous boys' choir, the 700-year-old Kreuzchor.
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Kunsthofpassage
A highlight of Neustadt is the Kunsthofpassage, a series of five whimsically designed courtyards each reflecting the vision of a different Dresden artist. Our favourites are the Hof der Tiere (Court of Animals), presided over by a giant giraffe, and the Hof der Elemente (Court of Elements) with its neat sculpture of steel pipes and funnels.
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Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon
Old scientific instruments, globes and timepieces, including a 13th-century Arabian celestial globe and a calculator from 1650 are housed in this museum.
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Museum der Dresdner Romantik
The Museum der Dresdner Romantik documents the city's artistic and intellectual movements during the early 19th century.
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Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst
The Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst has such quaint things as antique furniture, traditional garments and puppet theatres.
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Neues Grünes Gewölbe
The Neues Grünes Gewölbe presents some 1000 objects in 10 modern rooms on the upper floor of the Residenzschloss. Among the most prized items are a frigate fashioned from ivory with wafer-thin sails, a cherry pit with 185 faces carved into it, and an exotic ensemble of 132 gem-studded figurines representing a royal court in India. The artistry of each item is simply dazzling. To avoid the worst crush of people, visit during lunchtime.
