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

Should you visit Dresden or Limerick?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Limerick? 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Limerick

Limerick is a fun-filled, historic, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Limerick: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Limerick?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Limerick. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Limerick attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Limerick 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. Limerick is famous for its castle, old town, and outdoor activities.

How is Dresden different from Limerick?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Limerick is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The town is famous for King John's Castle as well as St. Mary's Cathedral, and St. John's Square and Cathedral.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Limerick 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 Limerick. You'll find a mix of traditional Irish restaurants and more modern international cuisine. Local specialties to try include Limerick Ham, Cahill's Whiskey Cheese, and Walnut Cheddar.

Is Dresden or Limerick Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Dresden has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Limerick. It's a student town so much of the nightlife scene centers around the student population. There are lively pubs and clubs around town so it's not hard to have a fun night out.

Is Dresden or Limerick Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Limerick 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.

Limerick does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Limerick?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Limerick 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 Limerick. You'll find a mix of brand name chains and independent boutiques in the city center. There are several major shopping streets in town including O'Connell Street, and the pedestrian streets of Bedford Row and Cruises Street.

Is Dresden or Limerick Better for Families?

Limerick 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 Limerick. Families will enjoy visiting King John's Castle but for kids who need a break from the sightseeing, there are kid-friendly activities around town like Curraghchase Forest Park and the Peoples Park. Families should also check out the Dreamland Fun Center. Museums like Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum are also fun for the whole family.

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 Limerick Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Limerick 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.

Limerick is a nice destination for couples. There are river cruises, kayaking, and nature to explore. Head to the Curraghchase Forest Park or any of the many beautiful parks around town. Couples can combine history with nature and enjoy a nice, romantic trip through Limerick.

Is Dresden or Limerick Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Limerick is not known for backpackers.

Dresden is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Limerick is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in the area so it can be hard to find other likeminded travelers.

Is Dresden or Limerick Better for Students?

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

Limerick is popular with students. The city has a nice student scene with plenty of areas to explore.

Dresden is not popular with students.

Is Dresden or Limerick 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 Limerick.

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 Limerick offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a city bus service that travels around town.

Is Dresden or Limerick a more walkable city?

Dresden is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Limerick is somewhat walkable. There are compact and walkable parts to the city that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Limerick or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Limerick?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Dresden than Limerick. 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 Limerick 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 Limerick?

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 Limerick, 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 Limerick?

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 Limerick, 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 Limerick has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Limerick?

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.

Limerick 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 Limerick?

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 Limerick. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Limerick. 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 from Dublin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Limerick?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Limerick. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Limerick, 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 Limerick?

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 Limerick in the Summer?

Both Limerick and Dresden during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Limerick for the family-friendly experiences.

Dresden is a little warmer than Limerick in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Limerick fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Dresden usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Limerick. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Limerick in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Limerick. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Limerick in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dresden is around the same temperature as Limerick. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Limerick averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Limerick. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Limerick in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Limerick. Many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Limerick for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dresden is generally much colder than Limerick. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Limerick fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Limerick. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Limerick in the Spring?

Both Limerick and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Limerick because of the natural beauty.

Dresden is a little warmer than Limerick in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Limerick fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Limerick. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Limerick and Dresden