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

Should you visit Dresden or Bonn?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Bonn? 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 friendly, architectural, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Bonn?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dresden than Bonn. Dresden is bigger than Bonn, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dresden is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bonn is more popular for its museums, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Dresden is more touristy than Bonn and is popular 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. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Dresden different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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 Bonn? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Bonn can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Dresden or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a great city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Dresden has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Dresden or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the high quality old towns in both Dresden and Bonn.

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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Bonn?

Bonn 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 Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

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 Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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 Bonn Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Bonn make for a notable place to visit.

Dresden is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Dresden or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Bonn are notable 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.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Dresden or Bonn Better for Students?

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

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Bonn 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 Bonn. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

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 Bonn a more walkable city?

Dresden and Bonn 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.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Bonn?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dresden or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bonn, 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 Dresden or Bonn?

Dresden is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Bonn, 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 Bonn has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Bonn?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Dresden. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bonn 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 Bonn?

The friendly city of Dresden offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bonn. 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 2-Week Tours from Berlin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Bonn?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Bonn, 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 Bonn?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dresden or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Dresden during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In the summer, Dresden is around the same temperature as Bonn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dresden in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Bonn averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in July than Bonn. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Bonn. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.

In October, Dresden is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 11°C (51°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bonn. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Bonn. Many travelers come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dresden. Dresden is much colder than Bonn in the winter. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Bonn. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dresden in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Dresden is around the same temperature as Bonn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dresden in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Bonn averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives more rain than Bonn. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Dresden