A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aberdeen vs. Dresden for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Aberdeen or Dresden?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Aberdeen or Dresden? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a architectural, authentic, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden

Dresden is a architectural, cultural, and park-filled city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Aberdeen and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aberdeen or Dresden?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dresden than Aberdeen. Dresden is bigger than Aberdeen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dresden is better known for its nightlife, while Aberdeen is more popular for its museums. Dresden is more touristy than Aberdeen and is known for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). Also, Dresden is famous for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Aberdeen is well known for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities.

How is Aberdeen different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dresden and Aberdeen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aberdeen or Dresden?

Aberdeen is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Aberdeen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

Dresden is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

Is the Food Better in Aberdeen or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Aberdeen and Dresden can be an enjoyable experience.

Aberdeen offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Dresden has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Dresden offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the high quality old towns in both Aberdeen and Dresden.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Aberdeen. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Aberdeen or Dresden?

Both Aberdeen and Dresden are notable shopping destinations.

Aberdeen is a great destination for shopping. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dresden. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden Better for Families?

Aberdeen is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Aberdeen is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Aberdeen and Dresden make for a notable place to visit.

Aberdeen is a nice destination for couples. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Dresden makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a popular place for backpackers. However, Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden Better for Students?

Aberdeen is a popular place for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Aberdeen is popular with students. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

Dresden is not popular with students.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Aberdeen and Dresden offer notable public transit options.

Aberdeen has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Dresden has some public transit options. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Aberdeen or Dresden a more walkable city?

Aberdeen and Dresden both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Aberdeen is very walkable. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

Dresden is a very walkable city. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Aberdeen Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Aberdeen?

How long in Aberdeen or Dresden?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aberdeen and Dresden. In our opinion, Aberdeen has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Aberdeen than Dresden. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aberdeen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dresden.

Families should spend more time in Aberdeen than Dresden. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Aberdeen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dresden than Aberdeen if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dresden.

One day in Aberdeen or Dresden?

In Aberdeen, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Dresden offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Aberdeen or Dresden?

In Aberdeen, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Aberdeen has to offer.

Dresden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dresden, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Aberdeen or Dresden?

Aberdeen is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Dresden is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Aberdeen or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aberdeen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aberdeen. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Dresden is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Aberdeen and Dresden, we can see that Aberdeen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aberdeen Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aberdeen or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Aberdeen. When comparing the sizes of Aberdeen and Dresden, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aberdeen or Dresden?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Dresden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aberdeen and Dresden. The summer months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

In July, Aberdeen is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Aberdeen average around 14°C (58°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Aberdeen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Aberdeen gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aberdeen as well as Dresden. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Aberdeen is cooler than Dresden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aberdeen averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Aberdeen usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Aberdeen gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Aberdeen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Aberdeen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Aberdeen. In the winter, Aberdeen is much warmer than Dresden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aberdeen in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dresden averages at about 1°C (33°F).

In January, Aberdeen usually receives more rain than Dresden. Aberdeen gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden and Aberdeen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Aberdeen in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Aberdeen is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Aberdeen average around 7°C (44°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Aberdeen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dresden. Aberdeen gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Aberdeen