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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Dresden?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Dresden can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and theater.

Dresden

Dresden is a cultural, park-filled, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Dresden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh and Dresden are both popular with visitors, Edinburgh has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dresden is known for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Dresden and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Dresden is popular for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady).

How is Edinburgh different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Dresden?

Edinburgh is an amazing city 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 Edinburgh on the map. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Dresden Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its shows and theatre. However, Dresden is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Dresden is not a theatre destination.

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

Dresden is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Dresden has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Dresden.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Dresden is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Dresden Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Dresden is not a live music destination.

In Edinburgh you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Dresden is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Dresden?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Dresden Better for Families?

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

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Dresden Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Dresden is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Is Edinburgh or Dresden Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a great destination for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Dresden.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Dresden a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Dresden?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Dresden. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Dresden. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dresden.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Dresden 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Dresden?

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dresden has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Dresden?

In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Dresden?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the park-filled city of Dresden. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Dresden is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and Dresden, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Dresden, 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 Edinburgh or Dresden?

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 Edinburgh or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dresden in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Dresden. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dresden in the Autumn?

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

In October, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Dresden. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dresden in the Winter?

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

The weather in Dresden can be very cold. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh is much warmer than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dresden in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Edinburgh is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Dresden. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Edinburgh