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

Should you visit Dresden or Arles?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Arles? 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.

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.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Arles attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Arles 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 well known for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Dresden different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

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 Dresden or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

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 Dresden or Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Dresden or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Arles offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Arles?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arles and Dresden.

Many visitors go to Dresden to go shopping. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Dresden or Arles Better for Families?

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

Dresden doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Dresden or Arles Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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 Dresden or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Dresden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Dresden or Arles a more walkable city?

Dresden and Arles both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dresden or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dresden than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Dresden, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

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

In Dresden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Arles, 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 museums. This town 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 Dresden or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Arles, 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 museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Arles?

Dresden is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles 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 Dresden or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the architectural destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Arles?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Arles, 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 Dresden or Arles?

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 Dresden or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Dresden 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 Dresden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

Dresden is cooler than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives more rain than Arles. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Arles in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Dresden is cooler than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Arles in the Winter?

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

Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dresden is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Arles. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Arles in the Spring?

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

Dresden is cooler than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Dresden usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Arles. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Dresden