Dresden Panometer

The Panometer Dresden is a former gasometer in the Reick district where artist Yadegar Asisi shows enormous 360-degree panoramas. The name blends "panorama" and "gasometer." If you are looking for unusual things to do in Dresden, this immersive experience of image, light and sound is a strong pick: you climb a viewing tower and stand in the middle of the picture. The current panorama takes you under the sea, and it works well for families.

Where it is and how to get there

The Panometer is at Gasanstaltstraße 8b, southeast of Dresden's Old Town. Dresden is about two hours from Berlin by train. Bus 64 stops at "Nätherstraße" directly in front of the building, and the walk from Reick S-Bahn station or from the tram stop "Liebstädter Straße" (lines 1 and 2) takes about 10 minutes. Free parking is available at the building during opening hours.

From gas storage to art

The gasometer was built in 1880 to plans by Theodor Friedrich, a student of Gottfried Semper, and stored city gas until 1973. Its dome rises up to 39 meters inside. Since its opening on December 9, 2006, it has been the second permanent home of Asisi's panoramas.

What to see

Since March 27, 2026, the panorama GREAT BARRIER REEF has been on show: a fictional view from beneath the ocean surface, covering more than 3,000 square meters, based on tens of thousands of underwater photos and sketches from expeditions with filmmaker Ben Cropp. Light shifts between day and night, with a soundscape by Eric Babak. An accompanying exhibition explains the reef's ecology and the threats it faces.

• Viewing tower: reachable by stairs only
• Café: cake, snacks and soup at the end of the exhibition
• Binoculars: recommended; rent them at the box office for EUR 2

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

The Panometer is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends and holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry one hour before closing. On October 30, 2026 it closes at 4 p.m., on December 24 it is closed, and on December 31 it closes at 3 p.m. Tickets cost EUR 16 for adults and EUR 14 reduced, EUR 8 for children 6 to 16, and EUR 40 for a family ticket (up to 2 adults and 2 children). Online tickets do not speed up entry, so expect a possible queue at the box office. Guided tours in German run daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for EUR 5 extra; the official site lists no English tour, so ask the visitor service at +49 351 48644242.

Accessibility and rules

Paths, restrooms, the lower panorama level and the café are wheelchair-accessible, but the tower is not. Dogs are not allowed inside. Photos are allowed for private use only, and panoramic shots of the artwork are not.

Nearby

The site was once a large gasworks, and the Erlwein gas holder and the Reick power station are close by. The Old Town, with the Residenzschloss and the Hausmannsturm, is a short ride away; a combined ticket with the Panometer is available for both.