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

Should you visit Dresden or Gjovik?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Gjovik? 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 cultural, park-filled, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Gjovik

Gjovik is a relaxed, accessible, and friendly town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Gjovik: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students


Is there more to do in Dresden or Gjovik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dresden. Although Dresden and Gjovik are popular destinations, Dresden has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dresden is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Gjovik attracts visitors for its food. Dresden is more touristy than Gjovik 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). It is also well known for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Gjovik is famous for its beautiful surrounding countryside and nice landscape.

How is Dresden different from Gjovik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dresden
Gjovik

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

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.

Gjovik is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of sights and attractions near town such as the Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall and the Royal Palace.


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

Dresden
Gjovik

Gjovik is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Gjovik is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many local restaurants that range from fine dining opportunities to local cafes. Dishes usually include local ingredients that are fresh and high quality.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dresden. 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.

Is Dresden or Gjovik Better for Nightlife?

Dresden
Gjovik

Dresden is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Dresden has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Gjovik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find some bars and pubs around town as well as a couple of nightclubs.

Is Dresden or Gjovik Better for its Old Town?

Dresden
Gjovik

Dresden is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Gjovik does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Gjovik does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Gjovik?

Dresden
Gjovik

Shopping is a popular activity in both Gjovik 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 Gjovik. The town center has some nice retail shops with clothing and other interesting items.

Is Dresden or Gjovik Better for Families?

Dresden
Gjovik

Gjovik 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 Gjovik. You'll find a combination of museums and outdoor adventure activities. There are climbing parks, Olympic centers, and art galleries that the whole family can enjoy.

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 Gjovik Better for Couples?

Dresden
Gjovik

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Gjovik 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.

Gjovik is a nice destination for couples. You'll find romantic hotels and many great museums or outdoor parks that couples will appreciate.


Is Dresden or Gjovik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden
Gjovik

Dresden and Gjovik 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.

Gjovik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's at least one hostel around town, and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Dresden or Gjovik Better for Students?

Dresden
Gjovik

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

Gjovik is popular with students. The location offers access to much of what Norway has to offer, making it a nice place to base yourself while you're studying.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Dresden
Gjovik

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Dresden and Gjovik.

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 Gjovik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel through town.


Is Dresden or Gjovik a more walkable city?

Dresden
Gjovik

Dresden is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Gjovik is somewhat walkable. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas as well as walking paths just outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Gjovik or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Gjovik?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dresden and Gjovik. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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


  • How many days in Dresden or Gjovik? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dresden 1-3 
    Gjovik 1-3

One day in Dresden or Gjovik?

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 Gjovik, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik, 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 Gjovik has to offer.


Five days in Dresden or Gjovik?

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.

Gjovik 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Gjovik. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Norway, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Gjovik or Dresden?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dresden is €135, while the average daily cost in Gjovik is €70. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dresden and Gjovik in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dresden 61
    Gjovik 44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dresden 122
    Gjovik 88
Compare Hotels in Dresden and Gjovik

Looking for a hotel in Dresden or Gjovik? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Dresden


Hotels in Gjovik


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dresden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dresden 11
    Gjovik 5.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dresden

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:

  • Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $158
  • Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City: $83
  • One-Way Transfer from Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden: $146
  • Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - First Class: $136
  • Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - Business Van: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Dresden or Gjovik?

Prices for flights to both Gjovik and Dresden change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dresden 31
    Gjovik 22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dresden

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dresden.

  • Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $51
  • Winterlights Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Dinner-Show "INDUSTRIELLE REVOLUTION": $117

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dresden 9.56
    Gjovik 6.15

Tours and Activities in Dresden

Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour GDR Walking Tour in Dresden: $44
  • 2 Hour Historical Walking Tour in Dresden: $44
  • 2 day ticket Grand City Tour Hop on Hop off 22 stops: $24
  • 3H Private Walking Tour: Dresden city centre and Old Masters Painting Gallery: $300
  • Astonishing Dresden - Guided Walking Tour: $427
  • Bad Schandau Scooter Tour in Saxon, Switzerland: $52
  • Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden - Hiking Tour: $171
  • Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Fantasy Tour: $171
  • Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Winter Tour: $171
  • Bicycle tour of Dresden: $32
  • Big Sightseeing Tour in Dresden with Liveguide: $21
  • Big city tour hop on hop off 22 stops: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dresden 16
    Gjovik 5.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:

  • Dresden Bike Tour with Wine Tasting: $53
  • Radeberger Brewery Tour in German: $57
  • Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dresden and Gjovik, we can see that Dresden is more expensive. And not only is Gjovik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gjovik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gjovik 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 Gjovik.

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


Which is Bigger, Dresden or Gjovik?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Gjovik. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Gjovik, 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Gjovik. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Gjovik for the family-friendly experiences.

Dresden is a little warmer than Gjovik in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Gjovik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in July than Gjovik. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dresden 20°C (68°F) 
    Gjovik 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Dresden or Gjovik in the Autumn?

Both Gjovik and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Gjovik in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Dresden is much warmer than Gjovik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Gjovik averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dresden 11°C (51°F) 
    Gjovik 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Dresden or Gjovik in the Winter?

Both Gjovik and Dresden during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Gjovik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gjovik can be very cold during winter. Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dresden is generally much warmer than Gjovik. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Gjovik fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dresden 1°C (33°F) 
    Gjovik -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Dresden or Gjovik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Gjovik. Most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months.

Dresden is much warmer than Gjovik in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Gjovik fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives more rain than Gjovik. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dresden 10°C (50°F) 
    Gjovik 6°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Gjovik and Dresden

Dresden Gjovik
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -4°C (25°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -3°C (26°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 1°C (33°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 1°C (35°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) -2°C (28°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)