Dresden's best areas: Find Your Next Home
Coming up: world-class Christmases, one of the most concentrated nightlife areas you’ve ever seen, an ancient funicular, and all the best neighborhoods in Dresden.
Dresden: one of Germany’s most up-and-coming relocation hubs, one of the nation’s prettiest cities, and one of its most affordable major metropolises. So it’s no surprise you’re thinking about moving to the place (well, we assume you are, since you’re reading this guide).
But it’s a pretty hefty city, with a population of more than half a million people, and countless districts and sub-districts. And living in a busy Dresden area is a massively different experience to living in one of its residential areas.
So on this guide, Homelike have brought you the best areas in Dresden… helping you to work out which ones you might want to live in (and which ones you might not).
We’ve brought you info on these 8 places:
- Altstadt
- Prager Strasse
- Neustadt
- Gorlitzer Strasse
- Rähnitzgasse
- Weißer Hirsch
- Loschwitz
- Blasewitz
Alright, here we go: your speedy tour around all the best neighborhoods in Dresden!
1. Altstadt
Best for: gawping at incredible architecture, living like a tourist, and being in the heart of the city
‘Altstadt’ translates into English as ‘Old Town.’
So, as you’d expect, this is the most touristy and sight-packed part of the city. Bordering the south banks of the city’s Elbe River, it serves up an endearing mish-mash of old-school architectural styles.
Although these buildings look old, they’re actually pretty new. The city was largely flattened by 1945 bombings—but Dresden has since been rebuilt in various phases.
Though the Old Town isn’t really old, it still looks that way—and this is the part you’ve seen photos of. So if you want to be in the tourist epicenter, the Aldtstadt is your best bet. Here, you get most of the top tourist attractions, lots of lovely green spaces, and some of the city’s best cafes and restaurants.
If you’re around for only a short while, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Dresden.
That said, finding a good apartment can be challenging in this part of the city. There aren’t a huge number of options… and the nice ones can be difficult to nab without a local contact. Usually, it’s easier to move into a fully-furnished no-fuss serviced apartment in this part of the city.
Attractions and parks in the Altstadt: baroque Frauenkirche Dresden, Sanctissimae Trinitatis Cathedral, lots of little squares and statues, the strangely-named German Hygiene Museum, Dresden Zoo, the huge Grand Garden of Dresden, many pretty riverside stretches, and loads more. If it’s famous, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.
Transport in the Altstadt: the public transport network is very dense and very regular in this part of the city, so you can easily (and quickly) get around by both bus and tram. The Altstadt is also home to Dresden’s main railway station… perfect for speedy and direct connections to other parts of Germany (and beyond).
Schools in the Altstadt: the Altstadt is home to Dresden International School, the only international school in the city. Kids from grades 1-12 can learn here—while the school’s kindergarten is in Blasewitz (around 4.5km/3 miles from the center of the Altstadt), a neighborhood we’ll cover in detail soon.
2. Prager Strasse
Best for: short-term stays, and living on one of the busiest and most famous streets in the city
Prager Strasse isn’t a neighborhood of its own. Instead, it’s one of the most central and well-known streets in the Altstadt.
A completely pedestrianized street running north from Dresden’s main train station, it only measures in at around 600 meters (around 1/3 of a mile). But it packs in a whole bunch of stuff, offering cafes, restaurants, drinking dens, cinemas, transport hubs, shopping malls, and more.
Whatever you’re doing here, you’ll mainly be surrounded by big household names. Expect Starbucks, Ibis, Primark, MediaMarkt, Decathlon, LIDL, and loads of other brands you’ve heard of.
Prager Strasse, of course, is also well-located for exploring the rest of the Altstadt. From here, you’re only a 15-minute walk from all the most famous parts of the Old Town.
If you can afford to live here, and if you’re only around for a short while, Prager Strasse is one of the best areas in Dresden. But the prices are high, and the hyper-bustle will only appeal to certain types of people.
Attractions and parks in Prager Strasse: loads of eating and shopping, the traditional market square of the Altmarket, and close proximity to the rest of the Altstadt.
Transport in Prager Strasse: Dresden’s central train station is right at the southern end of the street. For heading to other parts of Dresden, you’re only ever a 2-minute walk from bus stops and tram stops.
Schools in Prager Strasse: none on the street itself—but you’re only 1km (0.5 mile) from Dresden International School, and a short walk from some non-international options.
3. Neustadt
Best for: loads of drinking and dancing, hanging with hipsters, and living centrally without being surrounded by tourists
While the Altstadt is Dresden’s Old Town, the Neustadt (you can probably see where this is going) is the New Town.
Just over the river from its older neighbor, the Neustadt is most well-known for its waterside views of Dresden’s many-roofed skyline.
But it’s also way more than that. The most hip and happening part of the city, this section of the center is popular with young trendy locals who want to slurp and munch in various venues. In some ways, this district feels a little like Berlin.
Neustadt highlights include:
- Varied nightlife, including renovated industrial spaces, welcoming cocktail bars, and live-music-loving rock clubs.
- Edgy art galleries and events. Little spaces like Ines Schulz and FLOX offer small but interesting curations, while there’s a big focus on local names at city favorite Kunsthofpassage (more on that place in our next neighborhood). You’ll find workshops, impromptu exhibitions, ask-the-artist events, and more.
- Other hip-neighborhood clichés, like street art, vegan foods, vintage stores, brunch spots, and many trendy coffee shops.
Other Neustadt high points include pretty riverside areas, hiking trails in the northeast of the district (where low-level hills meet dense forests), more museums and galleries, and some of the city’s lesser-known tourist attractions.
Overall, this is one of the best areas in Dresden for young people. But the less-busy stretches can also make a great home for families and older people.
Again, because this is such a popular part of the city, it’s usually easier to get a serviced apartment or serviced flat here (instead of finding a flat in the traditional ways).
Attractions and parks in Neustadt: the Japanese Palace, House of the Church of Dresden, the landscaped Rosengarten, massive church of Saint Martin, strange but iconic Molkerei Gebrüder dairy store, Kunsthofpassage, many small galleries and events spaces, green stretches along the riverside, and more.
Transport in Neustadt: no matter where you live, you won’t need to walk more than 5 minutes to find a bus or tram—and you can be in the Altstadt (and other central districts) in around 10 or 15 minutes. The number 8 tram will become your best friend.
Schools in Neustadt: many non-international options. You’re relatively close to both the kindergarten and the actual school of Dresden International School.
4. Gorlitzer Strasse
Best for: endless nightlife venues, getting no sleep, and living in one of the city’s busiest streets
Gorlitzer Strasse is one of the main streets in the Neustadt. So it’s not really an entire district of its own, but it’s a very sought-after area.
Situated in a central part of the neighborhood, it’s a 400-meter (quarter of a mile) stretch, and it’s best known for including the Kunsthofpassage, an artsy labyrinth-like bunch of decorated courtyards featuring cafes, independent venues, and a load of artists’ workshops.
If you want to spend your time with bohemians, it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Dresden.
Other perks include an almost-ridiculous concentration of bars, clubs, restaurants and cafes. Within a 10-minute walk from here (and we’re not exaggerating), you can find more than 100 different hangouts. Some of the most iconic venues include Ostpol, Lebowski Bar, and Katy’s Garage—but you have many more options.
Attractions and parks in Gorlitzer Strasse: lots of drinking and dancing, and the exciting edginess of the Kunsthofpassage. And (to its north side) Gorlitzer Strasse is bordered by the Alaunpark, a popular-for-picnicking green space.
Transport in Gorlitzer Strasse: the street has two tram stops. The number 13 runs right through here, and takes you to many parts of the Old Town and the New Town (and beyond). For getting around Dresden, Gorlitzer Strasse is in a great location.
Schools in Gorlitzer Strasse: you’re close to lots of good non-international options. And you’re relatively well-located for both the kindergarten and the actual school of Dresden International School.
5. Rähnitzgasse
Best for: short stays, exploring both the Old Town and the New Town, and a balance of tourist sights and local venues
Again, Rähnitzgasse is simply a small section of the Altstadt, rather than a big neighborhood of its own.
Rähnitzgasse sits southwest of Gorlitzer Strasse, closer to where all the tourists hang out. If you live here, you’re close to the famous views of the Old Town—and you’re only a 10-minute walk from the place.
If you’re in the city over Christmastime, Rähnitzgasse is one of the best areas in Dresden. Just a 2-minute walk from the street, you’ll find the annual Augustusmarkt Christmas Market. It’s not the city’s only Christmas Market, but (with trees, food, drinks, fairground rides, and hundreds of stalls), it dominates this part of the city.
Overall, Rähnitzgasse can be a lovely place to live, and it offers a great balance between Old Town sights and New Town thrills. But we don’t recommend it for long stays… and because it’s such a tiny area, it can be very hard to find a home here.
Attractions and parks in Rähnitzgasse: though there aren’t any well-known attractions on the street, you’re very close to most of Dresden’s famous stuff.
Transport in Rähnitzgasse: you can walk to all parts of the New Town and the Old Town within 30 minutes or less. And you’re only a 2-minute walk from the 170 road, which offers loads of trams and buses (running in various directions).
Schools in Rähnitzgasse: this isn’t the best location for schools—though Dresden International School is only a 20-minute walk from here.
6. Weißer Hirsch
Best for: high-end hangouts on the outskirts, many green spaces, and splashing lots of cash
Alright, now we’re on the outskirts—this neighborhood sits 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) from the center of the Altstadt.
Sitting east of every other district we’ve brought you so far, it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Dresden for families… or for anyone who wants a classy quiet life.
Surrounded by forests, the neighborhood is home to villas, high-end hangouts, and expensive homes. It also offers a surprisingly-wide range of restaurants (many of them high-end), various exercise options (such as a swimming pool and a kid-friendly high-ropes course), and some convenient supermarkets and stores.
It’s also the greenest of all the areas we’ve brought you. It’s surrounded by loads of hikes and hills, around one-third of the district is made up of the Weißer Hirsch forest park, and there are other green areas nearby.
Attractions and parks in Weißer Hirsch: Weißer Hirsch forest park, lots of forests, and Manfred Von Ardenne Observatory.
Transport in Weißer Hirsch: the number 6 road runs right through the heart of the district… and many buses and trams can take you from here to the Neustadt. But because some public transport routes can be lengthy (especially if you’re heading to the Old Town), it’s best to have your own car.
Schools in Weißer Hirsch: your options are pretty limited here.
7. Loschwitz
Best for: sort-of-village life, a compromise between rural and urban, and feeling like you’re in ‘real’ Germany
Bear with us, this where-it-is description sounds a little complicated:
Loschwitz borders Weißer Hirsch to the south and the west, wrapping around its much-smaller neighbor. Its southern stretch is bordered by the northern banks of the city’s river, and its western stretch is attached to the Neustadt…
… so it’s a pretty big district, with great connections to other parts of the city, and plenty of stuff to do. You get green spaces, loads of cycle-friendly and hike-friendly riverside stretches, little squares, cozy bakeries, and plenty of massive (and traditional-looking) family homes.
In some ways, Loschwitz feels like a village of its own. In others, it feels like an extension of the city. So offers a great compromise between a fun life and a laid-back one.
Because it’s so big, Loschwitz offers various types of experiences—if you live in the western part of the district, you get a quiet life close to the center; but if you reside in the eastern part of Loschwitz, you’ll have a much more rural time.
Overall, if you’re planning to live in the city for a while, this is one of the best areas in Dresden.
Attractions and parks in Loschwitz: the 100-year-old Schwebebahn funicular (which brings you to a hilltop observation deck), little-but-loveable Rhododendron Park, massive Albrechtsberg Palace (and its gardens), lots of riverside stretches, some great restaurants, and many more tucked-away charms.
Transport in Loschwitz: if you live in the western side of the district, you can easily hop on public transport. If you don’t, you’ll struggle—this is one of the worst neighborhoods in Dresden for public transport. It’s best to have your own car here.
Schools in Loschwitz: you have many non-international schools, and you’re relatively close to the kindergarten of Dresden International School.
8. Blasewitz
Best for: living close to the Altstadt, and enjoying one of the city’s top residential areas
Blasewitz sits directly over the river from Loschwitz—and, in some ways, is pretty similar to its nearby neighbor.
It’s green, cozy and family-friendly, with a good balance between city thrills and suburban charms.
But while Loschwitz is largely hilly and village-like, Blasewitz feels more like a standard (though leafy and friendly) residential district. It’s also a little more affordable, and it mainly offers suburban-style attractions (restaurants and bars) instead of hikes and hills.
It borders the eastern side of the Old Town, so you’re never far from the action. But if you wanted to spend your entire life in relatively-upmarket Blasewitz, you could—here, you’ll find everything you could ever need, including stores, supermarkets, gyms, cinemas, schools, and more.
For families who want a spacious not-too-expensive home, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Dresden.
Attractions and parks in Blasewitz: Dresden Panometer, Loschwitz Bridge (which, of course, takes you into Loschwitz), many nice riverside stretches, and the outdoor swimming spot of Kiesgrube Leuben lake. You also get close proximity to all of the Altstadt (and especially the Grand Garden).
Transport in Blasewitz: many trams run through the neighborhood and into both the Old Town and the New Town. Depending on exactly where you live, trams 1, 2, 4 and 10 are usually your best options… but you have many more choices.
Schools in Blasewitz: the kindergarten of Dresden International School is in the neighborhood, while you’re also pretty close to the school’s main campus. There are many high-quality non-international schools in Blasewitz.
The 8 Best Neighborhoods in Dresden: Final Thoughts
Okay, that’s you and us done here—they’re the 8 best areas in Dresden.
If you’re struggling to find a place to live in the city, we have plenty of serviced apartments and serviced flats. They’re all homely and welcoming, they’re all perfect for living and working in, and they’re all ready to move into today.
For more on moving to Germany, get yourself over to our guides on Anmeldung in Germany, cold rent and warm rent in Germany, and getting your Schufa in Germany.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Homelike, and we’ll see you soon in Dresden!
