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

Should you visit Dresden or Rouen?

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

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

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Rouen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dresden than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dresden is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Rouen is known for its food and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Rouen 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. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Dresden different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Rouen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen is an experience not to be missed. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

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 Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

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 Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Dresden or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Rouen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rouen 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 Rouen. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Dresden or Rouen Better for Families?

Rouen 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 Rouen. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

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 Rouen Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Rouen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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 Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen a more walkable city?

Dresden and Rouen both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Rouen is very walkable. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Rouen?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dresden than Rouen 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 Rouen?

In Dresden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this park-filled destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Rouen, 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 Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Rouen, 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 Rouen has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Rouen?

Dresden is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Rouen 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 Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the park-filled destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rouen. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Rouen?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Rouen. The summer months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In July, Dresden is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 20°C (68°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dresden or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Rouen. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Dresden is around the same temperature as Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in October than Rouen. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dresden. In the winter, Dresden is much colder than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dresden in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In January, Dresden usually receives less rain than Rouen. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dresden or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dresden in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Dresden is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 10°C (50°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Dresden usually gets more rain in April than Rouen. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Dresden