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

Should you visit Dresden or Versailles?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Versailles? 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Versailles

Versailles is a opulent, historic, and extensive palace. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums.

Dresden and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Versailles?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dresden than Versailles. Dresden is bigger than Versailles, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dresden is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Versailles is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Dresden and is popular for its long running history and its grand architecture. 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.

How is Dresden different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Versailles is an amazing palace to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Versailles on the map. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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 Versailles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Dresden or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a great city for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dresden or Versailles Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is a great city for its historic old town. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Versailles?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dresden or Versailles Better for Families?

Dresden is adequate for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Dresden or Versailles Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Versailles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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 Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Versailles 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 Versailles. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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 Versailles a more walkable city?

Dresden and Versailles 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.

Versailles is very walkable. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Versailles?

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

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Dresden, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dresden, one day is sufficent for most.

In Versailles, you'll find museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This palace 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 Versailles?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Dresden, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Versailles, you'll find museums. 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 museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Versailles has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Versailles?

Dresden, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles 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 Versailles?

Dresden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Versailles. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Versailles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dresden and Versailles, we can see that Versailles is more expensive. And not only is Dresden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dresden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dresden 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles than you might in Dresden.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Versailles?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Versailles. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Versailles, 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 Versailles?

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 Versailles in the Summer?

Both Versailles and Dresden during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dresden is around the same temperature as Versailles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dresden in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Versailles averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Dresden usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Versailles. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Versailles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Versailles. Many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Dresden is generally cooler than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 11°C (51°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Versailles. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Versailles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Versailles. Most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Versailles can be very cold. Dresden can be very cold during winter. Dresden is much colder than Versailles in the winter. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Versailles. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Versailles in the Spring?

Both Versailles and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

In the spring, Dresden is cooler than Versailles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dresden in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Versailles averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Versailles. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Dresden