A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belfast vs. Dresden for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Belfast or Dresden?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a authentic, affordable, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and shopping.

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.

Belfast and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Dresden?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dresden than Belfast. Dresden is bigger than Belfast, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dresden is more touristy than Belfast 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. Belfast is well known for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Belfast different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dresden is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dresden is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Dresden offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Belfast 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 Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is Belfast or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

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.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Dresden?

Both Belfast and Dresden are notable shopping destinations.

Belfast is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

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 Belfast or Dresden Better for Families?

Belfast 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 Belfast. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and 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 Belfast or Dresden Better for Couples?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Dresden Better for Students?

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

Belfast is popular with students. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Dresden is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Dresden a more walkable city?

Dresden is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Dresden?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dresden than Belfast 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 Belfast or Dresden?

In Belfast, you'll find nightlife and shopping. 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.

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 Belfast or Dresden?

In Belfast, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Belfast 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 Belfast or Dresden?

Belfast is a great place to explore. 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 Belfast or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Belfast. 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 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 Belfast and Dresden, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Dresden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Dresden. Many visitors come to Belfast in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Belfast is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 15°C (59°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Belfast usually receives more rain than Dresden. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Belfast or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Dresden. Most visitors come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Belfast is cooler than Dresden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Belfast usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Belfast because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, 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 Belfast can be very cold. In the winter, Belfast is much warmer than Dresden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belfast in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Dresden averages at about 1°C (33°F).

In January, Belfast usually receives more rain than Dresden. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Belfast or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden and Belfast during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the activities around the city.

In April, Belfast is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 8°C (46°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Belfast usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dresden. Belfast gets 50 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 Belfast