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

Should you visit Dresden or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Bergen? 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 architectural, cultural, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a nostalgic, friendly, and laid back city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Bergen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Bergen attracts visitors for its shopping and small town charm. Dresden is more touristy than Bergen 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. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Dresden different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergen 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 Bergen?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Dresden or Bergen.

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.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Bergen can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dresden area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Is Dresden or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Dresden has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Dresden or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Bergen?

Bergen 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 Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

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 Dresden or Bergen Better for Families?

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

Bergen is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

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 Dresden or Bergen Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bergen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

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 Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Dresden or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Bergen is popular with students. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Bergen 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 Bergen. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

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 Dresden or Bergen a more walkable city?

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

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

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Bergen?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dresden or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bergen, 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.

A weekend in Dresden or Bergen?

Dresden is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Bergen, 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 Bergen has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bergen 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.

A week in Dresden or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Dresden. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bergen. 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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dresden and Bergen, we can see that Dresden is more expensive. And not only is Bergen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bergen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bergen 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden than you might in Bergen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dresden Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Bergen?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Bergen, 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Bergen. The summer months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

Dresden is a little warmer than Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dresden usually receives less rain than Bergen. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Bergen. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Dresden is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dresden. In January, Dresden is generally much colder than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Bergen. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dresden in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.

Dresden is much warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dresden usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Dresden