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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Dresden?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Dresden, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden

Dresden is a park-filled, friendly, and architectural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Dresden?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Dresden, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dresden is known for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Dresden and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Dresden is popular for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady).

How is Amsterdam different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Amsterdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

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 Amsterdam or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Dresden. 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.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Amsterdam has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

The nightlife in Dresden has something for everybody. 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.

Is Amsterdam or Dresden Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Dresden is not a live music destination.

In Amsterdam you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Dresden is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam and Dresden both have very good historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Dresden is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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 Amsterdam or Dresden?

Amsterdam is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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 Amsterdam or Dresden Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Amsterdam or Dresden as a family destination.

Amsterdam doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

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 Amsterdam or Dresden Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a great destination for couples. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Dresden is a nice destination for couples. 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 Amsterdam or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Amsterdam is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

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

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

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Amsterdam is top-notch. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

While Dresden offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Amsterdam or Dresden a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Dresden?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Dresden. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Dresden. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dresden.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Dresden. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amsterdam that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Dresden 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Dresden?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dresden has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Dresden?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Amsterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Dresden?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the architectural city of Dresden. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Dresden is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Dresden, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Dresden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dresden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dresden and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Dresden.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Dresden?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Dresden. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Amsterdam is generally around the same temperature as Dresden. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Dresden. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dresden in the winter. The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. Amsterdam is much warmer than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Dresden. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Dresden. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dresden for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Amsterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dresden. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Amsterdam