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

Should you visit Dresden or Calais?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Calais? 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Dresden and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Calais. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its nightlife and historical sights, while Calais attracts visitors for its beaches. Dresden is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Dresden different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Calais 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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Dresden or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Dresden or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for the beach. However, Dresden is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Dresden is not a beach destination.

Is Dresden or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Calais?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calais 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 Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Dresden or Calais Better for Families?

Calais is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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 Calais Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Calais make for a nice 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Dresden or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Dresden or Calais 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 Calais.

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 Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Dresden or Calais a more walkable city?

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

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Calais?

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

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

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

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

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 Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais, 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Calais?

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.

Calais 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly 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 Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Calais?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

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

Dresden is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives more rain than Calais. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Calais in the Autumn?

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

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

Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Calais. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Calais. Many travelers come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dresden. In January, Dresden is generally much colder than Calais. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Calais. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Calais in the Spring?

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

Dresden is a little warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Dresden usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Dresden