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

Should you visit Bucharest or Dresden?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Dresden. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a cultural, charming, and historical 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.

Bucharest and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Dresden?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Dresden than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Dresden, Dresden has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Dresden is more touristy than Bucharest 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). It is also home to Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Bucharest and Dresden.

Bucharest offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dresden. 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 Bucharest or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Bucharest and Dresden.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

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 Bucharest or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Dresden is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Is Bucharest or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is well known for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Dresden?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dresden and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Dresden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Bucharest or Dresden Better for Families?

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

Bucharest doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

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 Bucharest or Dresden Better for Couples?

Dresden is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

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.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

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

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

Bucharest is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bucharest. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

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 Bucharest or Dresden a more walkable city?

Dresden is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Dresden?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Dresden than Bucharest. 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Dresden?

In Bucharest, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

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 Bucharest or Dresden?

In Bucharest, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Bucharest has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled 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 Bucharest or Dresden?

Bucharest 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly 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 Bucharest or Dresden?

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

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Dresden?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bucharest is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In July, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Bucharest during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Dresden. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Dresden. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dresden can be very cold during winter. Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. Bucharest is much colder than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Dresden. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bucharest is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Dresden. Bucharest gets 46 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 Bucharest