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The tomb of George the Bearded in the St George Chapel of the cathedralStephencdickson · CC BY-SA 4.0

What to do · Meissen

Meissen Cathedral and the climb up its towers

Cathedral · 45 min · €7 · Pure Gothic next to the castle; from April to October, a guided tour of the towers for €11

InformationFrom €7 per person
From
€7 per person
Duration
45 min
Season
All year, daily; towers April to October
Who it's for
All ages; the tower climb has steep stairs

What it is

Meissen Cathedral is one of the great Gothic churches of Germany, begun in the 13th century on the castle hill. Inside are the Princes' Chapel, with the tombs of the electors of Saxony, sculptures by the Master of Naumburg and an altarpiece by Cranach. Its two façade towers, 81 metres tall, date from the early 20th century.

Opening times and tickets

From November to March it is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00; in April, until 18:00, and from May to October, from 9:00 to 18:00. During Sunday Mass, at 12:00, it cannot be visited. Closed on 24 and 25 December. Entry costs €7 (€3.50 for ages 6 to 16); the combined ticket with the Albrechtsburg is €17.50, and there is a €39 combined family ticket.

The towers

From April to October there is a guided tour of the towers at 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, lasting about 45 minutes, for €11. You buy it in their online shop or book by phone.

Tips

  • Get the combined ticket if you are going to the castle For €17.50 you get into both.
  • On Sunday, after lunch At midday there is Mass and no visits.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get in?

€7; with the Albrechtsburg, €17.50.

Can you climb the towers?

From April to October, on a 45-minute guided tour, for €11.

Is it open every day?

Yes, except 24 and 25 December.

With teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

Café tables on the pergola, with the Elbe valley behind© Café am Dom Meißen

Café am Dom

Café · Meissen · €€€€

What to order: coffee and homemade cake; in summer, an ice cream on the pergola

The entrance of the Domkeller under the lime trees, with Meissen's rooftops behind© Domkeller Meißen

Domkeller

Restaurant · Meissen · €€€€

What to order: a Saxon dish from the menu with an Elbe white wine, on the terrace if the weather is good

The Ratskeller terrace on the Market Square, with the Frauenkirche tower© Ratskeller Meißen

Ratskeller Meißen

Restaurant · Meissen · €€€€

What to order: the menu of Saxon classics; in summer, a table on the square terrace

To stay nearby

The hotel on the hill, with the cathedral towers behind© Romantik Hotel BurgkellerHotel

Romantik Hotel Burgkeller

On the castle hill · Spa with sauna · Restaurant and terrace with views · Breakfast included

Why we like it: Hotel on the cathedral square, next to the Albrechtsburg, with a spa, a restaurant with a terrace over the Elbe and breakfast included.

From €180 / night View details
The façade of the Hotel Goldener Löwe on Heinrichsplatz© Hotel Goldener LöweHotel

Hotel Goldener Löwe

Historic house in the old town · Two minutes from the Market Square · Tower rooms · Restaurant

Why we like it: Hotel in a 1657 house in the old town, a few steps from the Market Square, with 36 rooms each different from the next and its own restaurant.

From €85 / night View details
The former servants' house of Proschwitz Castle, with a yellow façade, a small tower and tables in front© Schloss ProschwitzApartment

Proschwitz Castle apartment

Among vineyards · Large terrace · Full kitchen · Parking · Two-night minimum

Why we like it: Apartment in the former servants' house of the Proschwitz castle winery, among vines, with a large terrace and a kitchen; two-night minimum.

From €70 / night View details

Itineraries

Features in these plans