A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dusseldorf vs. Annecy for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Dusseldorf or Annecy?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Dusseldorf and Annecy. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a vibrant, historic, and fun-filled city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Annecy

Annecy is a breathtaking, quaint, and storybook alpine town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Dusseldorf and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dusseldorf. Although Dusseldorf and Annecy are popular destinations, Dusseldorf has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dusseldorf is very popular for its big city activities, while Annecy attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Annecy is more touristy than Dusseldorf and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Dusseldorf is famous for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany. It is also well known for Altstadt (the Old Town).

How is Dusseldorf different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy and Dusseldorf. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

Both Dusseldorf and Annecy have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Dusseldorf is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

Annecy offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Dusseldorf or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Annecy, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Dusseldorf has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Dusseldorf or Annecy has a better nightlife scene.

Dusseldorf has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

If you're looking for night time activities Annecy has a few options to choose from. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

Annecy has a world-famous historical area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dusseldorf. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Dusseldorf is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Dusseldorf is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Annecy and Dusseldorf.

Dusseldorf is a great destination for shopping. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Annecy. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy Better for Families?

Both Dusseldorf and Annecy are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Dusseldorf is a very family-friendly place to visit. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Annecy is very family-friendly. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is very popular for romance. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Annecy is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Dusseldorf is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dusseldorf and Annecy are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Dusseldorf. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dusseldorf is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

Dusseldorf has a great public transit system. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Dusseldorf or Annecy a more walkable city?

Dusseldorf and Annecy both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Dusseldorf is very walkable. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

Annecy is a very walkable city. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Dusseldorf Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Dusseldorf?

How long in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Dusseldorf or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Dusseldorf, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy than Dusseldorf 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 Annecy.

One day in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dusseldorf. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Annecy might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

Dusseldorf 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.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this alpine town.

Five days in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dusseldorf. 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.

Annecy, a popular alpine town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Dusseldorf or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Dusseldorf. 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.

Annecy is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Dusseldorf and Annecy, we can see that Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dusseldorf or Annecy?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Dusseldorf and Annecy, 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 Dusseldorf or Annecy?

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 Dusseldorf or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Dusseldorf during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Annecy in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dusseldorf is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dusseldorf in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Annecy averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Annecy, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Dusseldorf gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets more rain in July than Annecy. Dusseldorf gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dusseldorf and Annecy. Many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Dusseldorf is generally cooler than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Dusseldorf average around 12°C (53°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Dusseldorf gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dusseldorf usually receives less rain than Annecy. Dusseldorf gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Annecy in the Winter?

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

The weather in Annecy can be very cold. Dusseldorf can be very cold during winter. Dusseldorf is cooler than Annecy in the winter. The daily temperature in Dusseldorf averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Dusseldorf often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Dusseldorf gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Dusseldorf usually gets more rain in January than Annecy. Dusseldorf gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dusseldorf or Annecy in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Dusseldorf is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dusseldorf in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Annecy averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Dusseldorf usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during spring. Dusseldorf gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dusseldorf usually receives less rain than Annecy. Dusseldorf gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Dusseldorf