Neustadt (Outer Neustadt)

Overview

The Äußere Neustadt (Outer New Town) is Dresden's creative and alternative quarter, centered on Alaunstraße, Louisenstraße, and Görlitzer Straße. It escaped the 1945 bombing largely intact, preserving its Gründerzeit architecture, which now hosts galleries, vintage shops, and a thriving bar scene.

Highlights

• Street Art: Murals and graffiti transform building facades and courtyards into an open-air gallery.
• Kunsthofpassage: A series of themed artistic courtyards, including the famous rain-drain musical wall.
• BRN Festival: The Bunte Republik Neustadt (Colourful Republic of Neustadt) is an annual street festival each June.

History

Originally built as a planned residential district in the 18th century, Neustadt became a focus of the GDR counterculture movement in the 1980s. After reunification, squatters and artists transformed neglected buildings into studios and bars, creating the bohemian character that persists today.

Visitor Tips

• Best explored on foot — wander through random courtyards for hidden galleries and street art.
• Nightlife peaks Thursday through Saturday along Louisenstraße.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.