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

Should you visit Antwerp or Dresden?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Dresden can help you decide which place is right for you.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a youthful, vibrant, and authentic port 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 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.

Antwerp and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Dresden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp. Although Antwerp and Dresden are both popular with visitors, Antwerp has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dresden is more touristy than Antwerp 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). Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also home to Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Antwerp different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Antwerp offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

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 Antwerp or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Antwerp. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Dresden is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Antwerp or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Antwerp and Dresden.

Antwerp is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Many people head to Dresden for the nightlife scene. 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 Antwerp or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp and Dresden are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Antwerp. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Many visitors go to Dresden to see the historical old town. 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 Antwerp or Dresden?

Antwerp is an amazing port city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Antwerp is a world class destination for shoppers. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

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 Antwerp or Dresden Better for Families?

Antwerp is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Antwerp. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

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 Antwerp or Dresden Better for Couples?

Both Antwerp and Dresden are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Antwerp makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Dresden is a good port city for couples to visit. 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 Antwerp or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Dresden are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Antwerp is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Is Antwerp or Dresden Better for Students?

Antwerp is a great destination for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Antwerp is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Antwerp and Dresden.

You'll find some public transit in Antwerp, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

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 Antwerp or Dresden a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Dresden both are great when exploring on foot.

Antwerp is a very walkable port city. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Dresden?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antwerp 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 Antwerp.

One day in Antwerp or Dresden?

In Antwerp, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Dresden, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Antwerp or Dresden?

In Antwerp, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Antwerp has to offer.

In Dresden, 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 Dresden has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Dresden?

Antwerp 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 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.

A week in Antwerp or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Antwerp. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dresden. 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Dresden, we can see that Dresden 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 Antwerp Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp 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 Antwerp 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 Antwerp or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Antwerp is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antwerp in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In July, Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antwerp or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Antwerp during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

In October, Antwerp is generally a little warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 12°C (54°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Antwerp usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Dresden. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dresden. It's quite cold in Antwerp in the winter. Antwerp is much warmer than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Dresden. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antwerp or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Dresden. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Dresden in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Antwerp is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antwerp in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Antwerp usually gets less rain in April than Dresden. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Antwerp