Dahlem has always been one of the most exclusive residential areas in the German capital. The district is located in the north of the Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough and is notable for its proximity to nature and its beautiful villas. But Dahlem has so much more to offer. In this part of our report on Berlin Dahlem, you can find out what it’s like to live in this part of Berlin, what educational institutions there are, how many doctors’ surgeries there are to care for residents and what cultural activities you can take part in.
In our article “Berlin-Dahlem: buying, selling and renting property – an overview of condominiums and houses” , you can find out how the housing situation has developed in recent months and how high the average rental and purchase prices are for property in this Berlin district.
The infrastructure and living conditions in Dahlem
The district Dahlem is considered one of Berlin’s most beautiful districts for good reason. Many academics and other well-off people are drawn here. But what actually makes the district so special? How do the residents of Dahlem vote, what is the composition of the population and how good are the transport links? You can find out all this and much more in this section of the article.
Demographic situation
The current population register statistics for Berlin are dated June 30, 2022. It provides information on the demographic situation and the composition of the population for the individual districts of Berlin. The district Berlin Dahlem has a total of 20,040 inhabitants. Geographically, it belongs to the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, which also includes the districts of Steglitz, Lichterfelde, Lankwitz, Zehlendorf, Nikolassee, Wannsee and Schlachtensee. The population is almost equally divided between women (52.80%) and men (52.80%). 47,20 %.
It is striking that just under a quarter of Dahlem’s population is aged 65 and over. The age group from 0 to under 18 makes up 18.24% of Dahlem’s entire population structure. The largest age groups are the 18 to under 45 age group with 29.30% and the 45 to under 65 age group with 29.55%.
An analysis of the composition of Dahlem’s population reveals that 29.59% (5,929 in total) are Germans with a migration background. People between the ages of 27 and 45 are particularly strongly represented in this context. The proportion of foreign residents is 15.10 % (3,027 in total).
Schools, kindergartens & universities
The number of educational facilities and daycare centers available is particularly important for the young families living in Dahlem. After all, it is important that children do not have to travel too far to school and are well looked after in their district.
Very young children can attend one of the 12 daycare centers. Dahlem is also characterized by its university. This attracts many students to the district, including parents, of course. That is why there is a daycare center directly at Freie Universität Berlin. The Montessori Kinderhaus and the Montessori Preschool are both very popular with residents. There is also the kindergarten of the Rudolf Steiner School as well as a total of three church daycare centres and a daycare centre that is run by the district itself.
As soon as the children reach compulsory school age, they are sent to a Elementary school in Berlin Dahlem. Parents are happy when their children don’t have a long walk to school. Dahlem is a very quiet district where children can grow up very independently. Children of primary school age go to one of the four elementary school in Dahlem. In addition to the Erich-Kästner-Schule, these are the Quentin-Blake-Grundschule, the Mühlenau-Grundschule and the Grundschule der Königin-Luise-Stiftung. The Quentin Blake Primary School is a state-run European school that has met with great enthusiasm in Dahlem.
When the search for a secondary school begins, many parents in Berlin Dahlem opt for the Waldorf School. However, it can also be attended before kindergarten. It is an independent school that is run according to Rudolf Steiner’s educational concept. The Arndt-Gymnasium is in Berlin Dahlem also very popular. The same applies to the Königin-Luise-Stiftung grammar school.
Transport links
The German capital has now grown into a huge metropolis. Nevertheless, it is surprising how good the transport connections are in almost all parts of the city. Berlin Dahlem by car is extremely easy to reach. Although many residents live in Dahlem, they work in more central parts of Berlin. Dahlem is very easy to reach via the Bundesstraße 1 in the south-east of the district. Another important road connection is the Steglitz junction of the A100 Berlin city highway.
The Dahlem Dorf subway station is far beyond Berlin known far and wide. In Japan, it was even voted the most beautiful subway station in Europe in 1987. A special feature are the spatial sculptures “Lovers”, which were created by the sculptor Wolf van Roy, who lived in Berlin all his life and died in 2012. The subway line 3 (U3) stops at five stations in Dahlem. The residents of the district greatly appreciate the good public transport connections. They can easily use the subway or one of the bus lines to reach their destination within a short time.
The parking situation in Dahlem
Berlin Dahlem by car makes perfect sense. This way you can take a closer look at the parking situation in the district. Berlin is a big city that is always conspicuous for its tense search for parking spaces. However, as Dahlem is not located in the center of the German capital, the situation is generally a little more relaxed. The streets, which are mainly lined with villas and apartment buildings, are lined with trees and parking spaces. There is no parking space management in Dahlem. Residents and visitors alike have to make an effort to find a parking space.
Party shares
Looking at the election results is always an exciting process. The official data we use in this part of our analysis comes from the Election results for the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf on September 26, 2021. On this day, elections were held in Berlin for the district assembly.
The figures also include the district of Dahlem, which is located in the borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf. The CDU was the strongest party with 27.2 percent. It was followed by the Greens with 22.4 percent and the SPD with 21.7 percent. The FDP received a total of 9.5% of the vote in the 2021 election. The AfD and Die Linke were in 5th and 6th place with 5.1% and 5.0% respectively.
Hospitals and clinics
Medical care is extremely important and has a major influence on the quality of life in a residential area. The residential area in Dahlem is above average. This is not least due to the clinics and doctors’ surgeries in the district. Residents appreciate the fact that they don’t have to travel long distances to see the doctor they trust. There are a generous number of doctors generous number in Berlin Dahlem.
The central clinic in the district is the Westklinik Dahlem. There are also clinics and hospitals located in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district and therefore in the immediate vicinity of Dahlem. These include the HELIOS Klinikum Emil von Behring, the Charité-Campus Benjamin Franklin, the psychiatric day clinic Lankwitz, the Nikolassee clinic, the dental clinic Casa Dentalis and the Waldfriede hospital. In total, the list includes 16 clinics and hospitals where Dahlem residents can receive treatment.
Regardless of whether you are looking for psychotherapya urologist, a dentist or an orthopedist in Berlin Dahlem – You will find what you are looking for.
Shopping in Dahlem
The district of Dahlem is best known for its beautiful residential areas. There are several villa districts here. The houses are generously proportioned and the residents enjoy the exclusive location of their properties. For this reason Berlin Dahlem hardly anyone on Shopping-tour. Although there are many shopping opportunities, they tend to specialize in the things you need for everyday life. The grocery stores, which offer food from all over the world, are loved by the residents of the district. If you want to enjoy a slice of cake in a pretty café or buy bread rolls for Sunday morning in one of the bakeries, Königin-Luise-Straße near the university campus is the place to go. There are plenty of places for people to meet up with friends for breakfast at the weekend and for students to have a coffee during their break. If you are looking for chic boutiques or want to take a long stroll, head to the neighboring district of Zehlendorf.
Places of art and culture in Dahlem
Dahlem is known for its tranquillity and beautiful recreational areas. Here you get the feeling of being in the countryside and breathing fresh air, although at the same time you are very close to the center of the metropolis. It’s amazing what this part of Berlin has to offer in terms of art and culture.
The following, for example, are extremely popular Dahlem Domain. The manor dates back to the 16th century and is the oldest building in Berlin in which the original rooms have been preserved to this day. Today, of course, the manor is no longer home to knights. Instead, there is a museum on the premises, which houses various exhibitions on agriculture and the cultural history of this beautiful region. In the stables, some of which date back to the 16th century, pigs, horses and chickens are now kept according to ecological criteria. Visitors can also admire plants in the farm garden. At the weekend, visitors to Domäne Dahlem can stroll around the organic market and store in the farm store.
Also popular with visitors and residents of the district is the Museum of European Cultures Berlin Dahlem. The centerpiece of this museum is undoubtedly the exhibition on “Cultural Contacts. Life in Europe”. The exhibition begins with the 18th century and shows the everyday life of different European cultures through the ages. The Capitol Cinema in Berlin Dahlem is known for its incomparable flair. The cinema is located in an Art Nouveau villa and its auditorium has 160 seats. Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a special atmosphere and is looking forward to an unforgettable evening at the movies should definitely pay a visit to the Capitol.
The Garden Academy in Berlin Dahlem is home to a garden school and a café. Hobby gardeners can pick up new plants here and then relax in the café, which is located in a greenhouse. The Royal Garden Academy also offers courses and the garden school has a whole range of rare plants. These include special perennials, different varieties of fruit trees and English roses. In early summer, you can admire the mirabelle, cherry and apple trees blossoming in the Japanese garden and the orchard.
Restaurants, cafés and bars in Dahlem
Even though Dahlem is mainly known for its beautiful residential buildings and exclusive location, the district has some very good restaurants and cafés to offer. An absolute classic is the Alte Krug in Berlin Dahlem. The restaurant dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. The restaurant can be described as elegantly rustic and the beer garden is a great place to enjoy an afternoon with friends under ancient chestnut trees. The cuisine is creative and honest. Whether schnitzel or steak, meat lovers will get their money’s worth here. But that’s not all, there is also a wide selection for fans of international cuisine and vegetarians. The restaurant to the Alter Krug in Berlin Dahlem is located in the immediate vicinity of the Domäne Dahlem, which is why many tourists combine a visit to the Domäne with a great meal. If you want to book a place at this restaurant in the warm summer months beer garden in Berlin Dahlem should definitely book in advance, as the seats are in great demand.
But that’s not all, because the Food culture in Berlin Dahlem has a few other specialties to offer. The Ch âlet Suisse is located in Grunewald and is one of the restaurants that have made history with their culinary sensitivity. The cuisine is described as rustic and creative and has a lot to offer locals and tourists alike. The ambience is old-fashioned and elegant at the same time. No wonder it is one of the most popular Restaurants in Berlin Dahlem counts.
If you are looking for an Italian in Berlin Dahlem you should definitely pay a visit to the Ristorante La Favorita or the Piaggo. The fine Asian restaurant Miss Wu is known for its select menu. The dishes are prepared from seasonal vegetables according to recipes from the Far East and delight the inhabitants of Dahlem.
Discover Dahlem: sights, things to do and activities in Dahlem
The Berlin district of Dahlem is attracting more and more people. They are drawn here because the residential area is one of the best in the German capital. We would like you to get to know the district of Dahlem better and introduce you to its sights in this part of our article. Find out what you can do in Dahlem at the weekend and how the district delights residents and visitors alike.
The Botanical Garden
Today, the Botanical Garden is no longer officially part of Dahlem. But this was not always the case. When it was created in 1895, around a quarter of the total area of the Botanical Garden to today’s Berlin Dahlem. The garden is home to around 20,000 different plant species and covers an area of 43 hectares. A paradise for biologists and garden lovers, but also for the residents of the district who want to unwind on a stroll through the botanical garden. The tropical house was completely renovated in 2019. Visitors can now admire plants that reach up to 20 meters in height. The jungle is home to lianas and exotic banana trees. Even though Berlin Dahlem officially does not have its own botanical garden visitors and residents of the district are drawn to neighboring Lichterfelde, to which the area now belongs, at the weekend.
Experience art and cultures of the world at the Dahlem Museum Center
The Museum Center in Berlin Dahlem was home to three different museums until a few years ago. However, the Museum of Asian Art and the Ethnological Museum have now been integrated into the in the center of the capital newly opened Humboldt Forum. At the location in Berlin Dahlem is therefore still home to the Museum of European Cultures. Visitors can become part of history here and observe how different cultures in Europe have gone about their everyday lives over the course of time.
A visit to the Kunsthaus Dahlem
Anyone visiting this beautiful district in the south-west of the German capital should definitely visit the Kunsthaus Berlin Dahlem stop by. During the Nazi era, the building housed Arno Breker’s studio. Today, post-war modern art can be admired in the exhibition space. What is now the Kunsthaus in Dahlem was built between 1939 and 1942 according to designs by architect Hans Freese as a studio for sculptor Arno Breker. Since 2015, the Kunsthaus has officially been the exhibition venue for the art of German post-war modernism in East and West Germany. Visitors and art enthusiasts can marvel at a total of around 70 works of various genres by almost 20 different artists.
Discover the city's history at Domäne Dahlem
The Dahlem Domain in Berlin is now a very popular excursion destination. The original manor has developed into an oasis in the big city. The inhabitants of Dahlem look forward to strolling through the organic market on Saturdays and watching the animals, which are kept to high standards in the stables, some of which date back to the 16th century. Organic products can be purchased in the farm store and the former manor house now houses a museum with exhibitions on the history of the region.
Walking in the Grunewald
The Grunewald covers a total of around 3,000 hectares and stretches across the districts of Steglitz-Zehlendorf and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. If you want to walk into the forest from Dahlem, you can do so via the entrance on the corner of Clayallee and Königin-Luise-Straße. Families, sports enthusiasts, dog lovers and singles of all ages flock to Grunewald, especially at weekends. In the hot summer months, you can to one of the lakes near Berlin Dahlem open up. When the temperatures are high, Berliners prefer to spend time at Krumme Lanke, Grunewaldsee or Schlachtensee.
Explore Dahlem on foot
If you want to get to know Dahlem better and familiarize yourself with the local way of life, you should definitely leave your car at home and take a walk. Berlin Dahlem on foot explore. The district in the north of Steglitz-Zehlendorf is known for its excellent residential area and tranquillity. Many people are also unaware of how much this district has to offer in terms of culinary and cultural delights. The Dahlem Route is a closed, signposted tour that guides residents and visitors through Dahlem. Along the route, you can learn more about the architecture and history of the district.
The route includes 11 museums and special places that stand out architecturally. The Dahlem Route can be accessed at 5 stations on the U3 underground line and 2 stations on the S-Bahn line 1 (S1). This means that the route can also be easily reached by public transport from other districts and parts of the city.
Explore Dahlem by bike
The Dahlem Route is 18 kilometers long and has signposted cycle paths that take visitors on a closed route through the entire district of Dahlem. If you arrive by public transport and bring your own bike, you have direct access to the cycle paths from the U3 and S1 stations. If you don’t have your own bike, it’s best to hire one from the bike rental shop at the Onkel-Tom-Hütte subway station. Then nothing stands in the way of a bike tour through Dahlem, during which you can visit special buildings and several museums.
Conclusion
In our comprehensive guide to real estate and the living situation in Dahlem, we have gone into detail about the current situation on the real estate market and the special features of the district. The Noble Berlin residential area is not so popular for no reason. The residential area in Dahlem is exclusive and offers a very high quality of life.
In the In the first part of this article, we explained what you need to be aware of if you want to buy or rent a property in Berlin Dahlem. In this part of our guide, however, we looked at the living situation in Dahlem. Medical care is extremely good, and there are numerous schools and other educational institutions. Dahlem is also home to the Freie Universität Berlin. There is also a wide range of leisure activities in Berlin Dahlemwhich residents and tourists alike can use. Overall, the district is one of the most popular residential areas in the metropolis. However, this is by no means a fashion trend, as Dahlem has always been one of the most beautiful residential areas in Berlin.
