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

Should you visit Dresden or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Oslo? 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 architectural, cultural, and park-filled city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Dresden and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Oslo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dresden than Oslo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dresden is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Oslo is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Dresden is well known for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). Also, Dresden is famous for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Dresden different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch 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 Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Oslo can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Oslo. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Dresden or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Dresden has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Dresden or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is notable for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a 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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Oslo?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Dresden is a great destination for 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Dresden or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Oslo make for a notable 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.

Oslo is a nice destination for couples. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Dresden or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Oslo are notable 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.

Oslo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Dresden or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is a great destination for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Oslo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Oslo is top-notch. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo a more walkable city?

Dresden and Oslo 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.

Oslo is very walkable. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Oslo?

In either Dresden or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Dresden because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Dresden, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Dresden than Oslo. 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.

One day in Dresden or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Oslo?

Dresden is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Oslo has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Dresden. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Dresden or Oslo?

The friendly city of Dresden offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Oslo. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Oslo. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dresden is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dresden in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives less rain than Oslo. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Dresden is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 11°C (51°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

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

Should I visit Dresden or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Oslo can be very cold. Dresden can be very cold during winter. Dresden is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Oslo. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In the spring, Dresden is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dresden in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Dresden usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Dresden