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

Should you visit Dresden or Galway?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Galway? 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly 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.

Dresden and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Galway?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dresden than Galway. Dresden is bigger than Galway, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dresden is more touristy than Galway 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). Also, Dresden is famous for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Dresden different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Galway 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 Galway. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Dresden or Galway Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Dresden or Galway has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Dresden know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife in Galway has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Dresden or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Dresden is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Galway?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Galway 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 Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Dresden or Galway Better for Families?

Galway 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 Galway. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

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 Galway Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Galway 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.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Dresden or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Galway is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other 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.

Is Dresden or Galway Better for Students?

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

Galway is popular with students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Dresden is not popular with students.

Is Dresden or Galway 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 Galway.

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 Galway offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Dresden or Galway a more walkable city?

Dresden and Galway both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dresden and Galway. In our opinion, Galway has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Galway than Dresden. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Dresden, and 2-3 days is enough time in Galway.

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

Couples should spend more time in Dresden than Galway. 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 Galway 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 Galway.

One day in Dresden or Galway?

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 Galway, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Dresden or Galway?

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 Galway, 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 Galway has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the park-filled 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 Galway. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Galway. 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 Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Galway?

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

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 Galway in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Galway. Many visitors come to Dresden in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Dresden is a little warmer than Galway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dresden in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Galway averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives more rain than Galway. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Galway. Most visitors come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Dresden is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 11°C (51°F), and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Galway. Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Dresden because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

The weather in Dresden can be very cold. Dresden is much colder than Galway in the winter. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Galway. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Dresden is a little warmer than Galway. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dresden in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Galway averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Dresden usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Galway. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Dresden