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

Should you visit Dresden or Nantes?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Nantes? 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.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Nantes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Nantes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Nantes attracts visitors for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Nantes 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. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Dresden different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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 Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Dresden or Nantes 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 Nantes has something for everybody. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Dresden or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Dresden to see the historical old town. 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.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Nantes?

Nantes is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Is Dresden or Nantes Better for Families?

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

Nantes is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Dresden or Nantes Better for Students?

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

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Nantes is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Nantes. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

While Dresden offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Dresden or Nantes a more walkable city?

Dresden and Nantes both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Nantes?

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

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

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

One day in Dresden or Nantes?

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 Nantes, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nantes has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Nantes?

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.

Nantes 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 Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the architectural 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 Nantes. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nantes. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Nantes?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Nantes, 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Nantes. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Dresden is around the same temperature as Nantes in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

Dresden usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Nantes in the Autumn?

Both Nantes and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Dresden is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Nantes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Nantes. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Dresden during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dresden can be very cold during winter. In January, Dresden is generally much colder than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Nantes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Nantes. The spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

Dresden is around the same temperature as Nantes in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Dresden