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

Should you visit Dresden or Tromso?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Tromso? 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.

Tromso

Tromso is a one-of-a-kind, spectacular, and remote town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food.

Dresden and Tromso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Tromso?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Tromso. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Tromso attracts visitors for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Dresden is famous 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. Tromso is famous for its stunning nature, beautiful Arctic landscape, and breathtaking fjords.

How is Dresden different from Tromso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dresden is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Tromso does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tromso does not have museums and landmarks. You can learn about everything having to do with the Arctic at the museum, Polaria. There's also the the Polar Museum, the Arctic Cathedral, and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum.

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

Tromso 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 Tromso is an experience not to be missed. Fish is the staple around town and you'll find local seasonal fish dishes. There are also modern restaurants that serve international cuisines or trendy options.

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 Tromso Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Tromso is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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 Tromso. There's a good nightlife scene with many bars and clubs that are popular with locals and tourists alike.

Is Dresden or Tromso Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Tromso does not have a historic old town.

Dresden is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Tromso does not have a historic old town.

Is Dresden or Tromso Better for Hiking?

Tromso is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Dresden is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Tromso. The surrounding countryside is filled with fjords, mountains, and pristine wilderness. There are hikes that cater to every level, and a trip to Tromso is not complete without heading into the rural areas.

Dresden is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Tromso?

Dresden is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tromso is not known for shopping.

Dresden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Tromso is a good destination for shopping. There are shops sprinkled along the main street, as well as a shopping center or two around town.

Is Dresden or Tromso Better for Families?

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

Tromso is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Whether you visit during the summer or winter season, there are a number of indoor or outdoor activities around town. Many visitors come during the winter months to see the Northern Lights. There's also the Ice Hotel, Husky Sledding, and fjords cruises. Indoors, you'll find the Science Center, the Arctic University Museum, and the Troll Museum.

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 Tromso Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Tromso frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many couples, seeing the Northern Lights is an iconic romantic experience. The area also has an amazing outdoor setting with fjords and hiking. Indoors, there are art museums and more.

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 Tromso Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Tromso 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.

Tromso is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels as well as camping in the area that make this otherwise expensive area somewhat more affordable.

Is Dresden or Tromso Better for Students?

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

Tromso is popular with students. Although it's a very small city, there are a large number of students and some big city amenities. There are plenty of entertainment options both in town and in the surrounding countryside.

Dresden is not popular with students.

Is Dresden or Tromso 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 Tromso.

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 Tromso offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's an efficient and reliable bus system in town.

Is Dresden or Tromso a more walkable city?

Dresden and Tromso both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Tromso is very walkable. The city is generally walkable but if you want to get into the countryside you'll need to travel by car or bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Tromso or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Tromso?

Both Dresden and Tromso have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tromso than in Dresden. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Dresden, and 4-7 days is enough time in Tromso.

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

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

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

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.

Tromso is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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 Tromso?

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.

Tromso might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Dresden or Tromso?

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.

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

A week in Dresden or Tromso?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly 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 Tromso. Tromso is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Tromso?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Tromso, 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 Tromso?

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 Tromso in the Summer?

Both Tromso and Dresden during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dresden in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Tromso for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dresden is much warmer than Tromso in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in July than Tromso. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Tromso in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Tromso. Most visitors come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Tromso because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Tromso can be very cold. In the autumn, Dresden is much warmer than Tromso. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Tromso averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Tromso receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Tromso. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Tromso in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Tromso. The winter months attract visitors to Dresden because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the winter. The weather in Dresden can be very cold. In January, Dresden is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Tromso fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Tromso. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Tromso in the Spring?

Both Tromso and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tromso for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. Dresden is much warmer than Tromso in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives less rain than Tromso. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Dresden