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

Should you visit Dresden or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Rijeka? 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a accessible, diverse, and slow-paced town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Rijeka?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Rijeka. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its historical sights, while Rijeka attracts visitors for its beaches. Dresden is more touristy than Rijeka 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 well known for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Dresden different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Rijeka 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 Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Dresden or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Dresden or Rijeka 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 Rijeka has something for everybody. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

Is Dresden or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is a town with a few options for the beach. However, Dresden is not a beach destination.

The beach in Rijeka is worth checking out. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Dresden is not a beach destination.

Is Dresden or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Rijeka?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rijeka 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 Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Dresden or Rijeka Better for Families?

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

Rijeka is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

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 Rijeka Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Dresden or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Dresden or Rijeka Better for Students?

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

Rijeka is popular with students. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

Dresden is not popular with students.

Is Dresden or Rijeka 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 Rijeka.

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 Rijeka offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Dresden or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Dresden is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Rijeka?

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

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

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

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 Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka, 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 Rijeka has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Rijeka?

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.

Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rijeka. 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Rijeka?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Rijeka. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dresden is cooler than Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Rijeka. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Dresden is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Rijeka. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rijeka 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 Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Dresden is cooler than Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in April than Rijeka. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Dresden