Dresden Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Dresden, Saxony, Germany)

Dresden is split into a total of eight discernible districts, of which the Altstadt, the Aussere Neustadt and the Innenstadt are perhaps the most popular from a visitor perspective. The Altstadt, or Old City, is home to the greatest proportion of Dresden's most popular attractions, landmarks, museums and other places of historical interest.

However, many other districts and neighbourhoods around the city of Dresden still offer plenty of tourist appeal, such as both the Innere Neustadt and the Hellerau districts, where period architecture is a big feature.

Altstadt District

The Altstadt, or Old City, is Dresden's historic quarter, an area that was subject to a massive reconstruction and redevelopment programme following damage sustained in WWII. Notable sights include the Frauenkirche, Theaterplatz, Zwinger, Cathedral, Castle, Taschenberg Palais and the Albertinum among others.

Aussere Neustadt District

Popularly considered the city's liveliest district, Aussere Neustadt, or Outer Neustadt, is an area located to the northeast of Albertplatz. This district of Dresden is home to an eclectic mix of bohemian and alternative types with ultra-fashionable youth and young urban professionals. Lively bars, cafés and restaurants make for interesting evening entertainment, with plenty of people-watching opportunities.

Hellerau District

Hellerau is a district located on the far northern side of Dresden and has been hailed as the county's first 'Garden Town'. Founded around 100 years ago, this is a pleasant area of the city and well worth a visit. Hellerau was a pre-WWII centre of culture, a tradition that is continues today, with the European Centre for the Arts situated here.

Innenstadt District

The Innenstadt is the area popularly considered to be Dresden city centre and is where visitors will find the Prager Strasse, the city's most discernible shopping district. Other highlights within the Innenstadt district include many fast-food restaurants, a cinema and the central railway station. This colourful neighbourhood also offers a lively nightlife at its bars and clubs.

Innere Neustadt District

Despite suffering extensive damage from a fire at the end of the 17th century and from the air raids of WWII, Dresden's Innere Neustadt district is now a particularly pleasant spot, on account of significant redevelopment over the last decade. The district is widely considered to be among the most attractive areas in the whole of Dresden and is known for its impressive Baroque-style houses, chic boutiques and upmarket dining venues.

Loschwitz District

An upmarket district, Loschwitz is considered one of Dresden's 'des-res' areas and is perhaps best known for sitting at the opposite end of the Blaues Wunder Bridge from the district of Blasewitz. Notable sights in this district include the castles of Schloss Eckberg and Schloss Albrechtsberg.

Südvorstadt District

This is the city's university quarter and is located just a short distance from the main train station. Campus buildings, dormitories and student bars and cafés are common features of the area, although there are few interests for Dresden tourists here.

Weisser Hirsch District

Translating as 'White Stag', Weisser Hirsch is a small district and one in which the affluent and 'hi-so' members of the city's population reside. Of interest to visitors in this district are the Elbhänge (slopes of the River Elbe) and the castle of Waldschlösschen.