A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Cologne vs. Dresden for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Cologne or Dresden?

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

Should I visit Cologne 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.

Cologne

Cologne is a fun, accessible, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden

Dresden is a park-filled, friendly, and architectural 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.

Cologne and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Dresden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne than Dresden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cologne is very popular for its museums, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dresden attracts visitors for its historical sights. Cologne is famous for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also well known for The Cologne Cathedral. Dresden is famous for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady).

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Cologne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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 Cologne or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cologne area. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Is Cologne or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

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

Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

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 Cologne or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Dresden?

Cologne 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 Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

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 Cologne or Dresden Better for Christmas?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Dresden does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a world class destination for shoppers. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Dresden does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Dresden Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Dresden does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit Cologne because of the beautiful Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Dresden does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Dresden Better for Families?

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

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

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 Cologne or Dresden Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cologne and Dresden make for a nice place to visit.

Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

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 Cologne or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Dresden are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

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 Cologne or Dresden Better for Students?

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

Cologne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Cologne 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 Cologne is top-notch. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

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 Cologne or Dresden a more walkable city?

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

Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily 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 Cologne Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Dresden?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cologne or Dresden?

Because Cologne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Cologne or Dresden?

Because Cologne 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cologne 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 Cologne or Dresden?

Cologne 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 Cologne or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cologne. 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Tours for Seniors to Germany, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Munich.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Dresden, we can see that Cologne 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne 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 Cologne Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Dresden?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Cologne 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 Cologne 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 Cologne or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Dresden. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cologne or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Cologne during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cologne is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Cologne usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Dresden. Many travelers come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Cologne. In January, Cologne is generally much warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Cologne usually receives more rain than Dresden. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cologne or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Dresden. Many visitors come to Cologne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dresden. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Cologne