I really like Dresden. In reality, Dresden may be very nearly my favorite metropolis in Germany (first place simply has to go to my adopted hometown of Cologne) and someplace I actually take pleasure in coming again to time and again; I spent a really gray weekend right here in March 2019 and a highly regarded late summer time right here in September 2020.
But to a sure extent, Dresden is a story of two cities. On one aspect of the Elbe, you could have the postcard-perfect Baroque Altstadt (outdated city), which kinds a dramatic skyline on the river (incomes town its moniker of Florence on the Elbe) and on the opposite, you could have the edgy Bohemian quarter of the Neustadt (new city), which pulses with life and power and has a road tradition to rival Berlin.
Despite the fantastic thing about the Altstadt (and that genuinely jaw-dropping skyline), it’s the Neustadt the place I’ve spent essentially the most time in Dresden on my latest visits. So here’s a abstract of issues to do in Dresden’s Neustadt.
Dresden is a story of two cities.
About Dresden Neustadt
Fairly unusually for Germany, the Neustadt is about out in a grid formation (albeit barely skewed), with the principle veins of the quarter being Alaunstraße and Louisenstraße. Neighbouring Hechtviertel, positioned on the opposite aspect of the trainline, can also be coated on this put up. In phrases of transport, one of the best ways to discover the world is solely on foot.
Things to do and see in Dresden Neustadt
The Kunsthofpassage
The Kunsthofpassage is one the Neustadt’s most iconic landmarks. The identify interprets very actually to ‘artwork courtyard passage’ – and that’s just about precisely what it’s. Meander via the collection of linked courtyards with some very cool artwork on show. I’ve seen through the years that the standard of the outlets right here has actually improved – there’s now an awesome craft beer bar (I’m advised) in addition to a really aesthetic artwork and guide retailer promoting vegan ice cream.
Boutique purchasing in Dresden Neustadt
I’m not the largest one for boutique purchasing, however there’s undoubtedly quite a bit on provide within the Neustadt. I seen on my newest journey that the Northern half of Alaunstraße appeared to have plenty of clothes boutiques, whereas the Kunsthofpassage had some nice craft and guide shops. I’m giving Peccato on Görlitzer Straße an honorary point out as it’s the favorite boutique of my good good friend Denise.
Try vegan Döner on the Dicke Schmidt
Unsurprisingly, Dresden’s Neustadt is a little bit of a haven for vegan and vegetarian eating places, however the most effective must be Der Dicke Schmidt, which serves up scrumptious – and gigantic – Döner kebabs, made fully of meat substitute merchandise, similar to seytan. They have two customary choices and usually a couple of seasonal extras. A bit additional out from the Neustadt (in neighbouring Hechtviertel) however effectively value it.
Try one of the best cheesecake on the town
Try the most effective New York-style cheesecakes at Café Oswaldz . I’m advised the espresso right here is de facto good (I’m a tea drinker so I actually can’t touch upon that), however the cheesecake alone is value a mid-afternoon cease right here.
Street artwork in Dresden Neustadt
Street artwork within the Neustadt is much less of an exercise to got down to do and extra simply one thing to soak up as you surprise round. The neighbourhood is roofed in graffiti and tagging, however there are additionally some lovely artworks to find. On my final two visits, the constructing subsequent to Katy’s Garage had a large mural, as did the aspect of a faculty on Görlitzer Straße.
It looks as if there’s a road artwork tour you are able to do, however I can’t vouch for that, however this nice weblog put up from HistoryFanGirl provides you an awesome impression of what to anticipate.
Die Welt der DDR (The World of the GDR) museum
I’ll be trustworthy: this isn’t one of the best museum concerning the historical past of East Germany. (For that, I’d counsel visiting the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum or the Runde Ecke in Leipzig (extra right here), Höhenschönhausen Prison in Berlin and even simply studying Stasiland by Anna Funder.) However, it is a fairly good museum in relation to displaying you what life in East Germany seemed like. The exhibit is actually a group of things from the GDR, from automobiles to kitchens, which does in equity, give a extremely good impression of what life should have been like for the common East German.
Read extra: 11 important experiences in Leipzig
Rent wheels for a bikeride
If you wish to fancy exploring the Elbe Valley on bike (and also you 100% ought to), then Roll on Dresden is a reasonably good possibility for bike journey. The place is fairly straight ahead, and you may count on to be out and in along with your new rental in underneath 10 minutes. 24-hour prices €12, with an elective further €2 per bike for insurance coverage.
If you don’t fancy venturing too far out of city, a fast loop of the Dresden basin alongside the river will at the least offer you a great view of the riverside villas close to Löschwitz and the cities lovely bridges.
Visit the Dresdner Molkerei Gebrüder Pfund
The identify of this place may appear to be an mouthful, however the inside is extra like an eyeful (this seemed like a a lot stronger pun in my head…) Terrible jokes apart, you may recognise this place as the inside for the bakery – Mendl’s – within the Grand Budapest Hotel. The precise store sells quite a lot of cheeses and – bizarrely – cosmetics. The ceramic tiles and embellished ceiling which might be seen briefly within the movie are very spectacular in actual life, however the place will get very busy.
For extra areas from the movie, try this put up.
Katy’s Garage
Located actually within the coronary heart of the quarter on the crossroads between Alaunstraße and Louisenstraße, Katy’s Garage is a little bit of an establishment. In non-pandemic occasions, it’s a membership and music venue, however what I like most is simply ingesting a beer or an Aperol within the chilled beer backyard. If you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Dresden’s Neustadt, that is undoubtedly one to advocate.
Enjoy the streets
In all honesty, I believe the most effective issues to do within the Neustadt is to easily wander alongside the streets and soak all of it in. This may sound like a large cop-out to finish an article on issues to ‘see and do,’ but it surely’s actually one of the best ways to absorb the ambiance of the quarter – and its many eccentricities.
On a late summer time night, you’ll discover folks sitting on the curb sipping a beer (ingesting in public is fully authorized right here in Germany) – particularly on the nook of Louisenstraße and Görlitzer Straße. It’s clearly an space the place milling about is inspired!
Have you been to Dresden’s hipster Neustadt? Comment under!