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

Should you visit Dresden or Giverny?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Giverny? 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Dresden and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Giverny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden. Although Dresden and Giverny are both popular with visitors, Dresden has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dresden is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny is known for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Dresden and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Dresden 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). It is also home to Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace.

How is Dresden different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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 Giverny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Giverny can be difficult as they are each good 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 Giverny. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Dresden or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Dresden for the nightlife scene. 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dresden or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is great for its old town. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Giverny?

Dresden is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dresden or Giverny Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Dresden or Giverny 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, Giverny is not always the best place to visit. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Dresden or Giverny Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

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 Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Giverny are good 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.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Dresden or Giverny 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 Giverny.

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 Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Dresden or Giverny a more walkable city?

Dresden is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dresden or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dresden than Giverny 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 Giverny.

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

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

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

In Dresden, 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.

In Giverny, you'll find food and 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 Giverny?

In Dresden, 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 Dresden has to offer.

In Giverny, you'll find museums and food. 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 Giverny has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Giverny?

Dresden 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.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dresden. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Giverny. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Giverny. 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Dresden and Giverny, 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 Giverny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Giverny?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 860 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny 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. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

In July, Dresden is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 20°C (68°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Dresden usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Giverny. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Giverny. 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 Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Dresden is cooler than Giverny in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Giverny fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Giverny. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Giverny in the Winter?

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

Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dresden. In the winter, Dresden is much colder than Giverny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dresden in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Giverny averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Giverny. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny 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. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Dresden is generally cooler than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 10°C (50°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Giverny. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Dresden