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

Should you visit Dresden or Kilkenny?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Kilkenny? 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a fascinating, active, and ancient town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Kilkenny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden. Although Dresden and Kilkenny are both popular with visitors, Dresden has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dresden is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Kilkenny is known for its museums, food, and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Kilkenny 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 home to Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Kilkenny is popular for its medieval castle and long running history.

How is Dresden different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

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 Kilkenny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny is an experience not to be missed. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

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 Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kilkenny has a few options to choose from. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Dresden or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the great old towns in both Dresden and Kilkenny.

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 Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Kilkenny?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Is Dresden or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

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 Kilkenny Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Kilkenny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

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 Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Is Dresden or Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny.

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 Kilkenny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses through town.

Is Dresden or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Dresden and Kilkenny both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Kilkenny is very walkable. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Kilkenny?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dresden or Kilkenny?

The city of Dresden offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kilkenny, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Kilkenny?

Dresden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dresden, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Kilkenny?

Dresden is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny?

Dresden is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kilkenny. 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 in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Kilkenny?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny in the Summer?

Both Kilkenny and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dresden is generally a little warmer than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 20°C (68°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kilkenny. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

Both Kilkenny and Dresden during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Dresden is around the same temperature as Kilkenny in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Kilkenny. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Kilkenny in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Kilkenny. Many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dresden is much colder than Kilkenny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dresden in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Kilkenny in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Kilkenny. Most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the natural beauty.

In April, Dresden is generally a little warmer than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 10°C (50°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Dresden