Not to miss

Semperoper

The neo-Renaissance opera house, designed by Gustav Semper, is Dresden. The original building opened in 1841 but burned down less than three decades later. Rebuilt in 1878, it was pummelled in WWII and reopened only in 1985. Thanks to a recent beer commercial, the Semperoper is probably one of the best known buildings in Germany.

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.

Transparent Factory

Volkswagen's striking Gläserne Manufaktur (Transparent Factory) opened in 2001 as a blast of modernity amid Dresden's classics, with much of the production process visible through the great glass panels. Essentially a huge exercise in brand marketing, the building made such an impact that it even hosted operas while the Semperoper was closed in 2002!