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

Should you visit Glasgow or Dresden?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Dresden, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a historic, high energy, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Glasgow and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Dresden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Glasgow than Dresden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Glasgow is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and music, while Dresden attracts visitors for its historical sights. Dresden is more touristy than Glasgow and 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). Glasgow is famous for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also well known for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

How is Glasgow different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Glasgow is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Glasgow offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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 Glasgow or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Glasgow and Dresden offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Glasgow is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Dresden offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Glasgow or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Glasgow has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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.

Is Glasgow or Dresden Better for Music?

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

In Glasgow you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Dresden is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to see the historical old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Dresden?

If you're looking to go shopping, Glasgow and Dresden both offer plenty of nice spots.

Glasgow has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Dresden is a great destination for 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.

Is Glasgow or Dresden Better for Families?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

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 Glasgow or Dresden Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Dresden are both nice to visit as a couple.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

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 Glasgow or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Glasgow and Dresden are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Dresden is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Is Glasgow or Dresden Better for Students?

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

Glasgow is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Glasgow 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 Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

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 Glasgow or Dresden a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Dresden are very good when it comes to walkability.

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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 Glasgow Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Dresden?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Glasgow and Dresden. In our opinion, Glasgow has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Glasgow than Dresden. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Glasgow, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dresden.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Glasgow 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 Glasgow.

One day in Glasgow or Dresden?

In Glasgow, you'll find shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Dresden, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Glasgow or Dresden?

In Glasgow, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Glasgow has to offer.

In Dresden, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Dresden has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Dresden?

Glasgow 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.

Dresden is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Glasgow or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glasgow. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Glasgow. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dresden. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Glasgow and Dresden, we can see that Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Dresden?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Dresden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Dresden. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Glasgow is cooler than Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Glasgow is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Glasgow in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In October, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Dresden. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Glasgow during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dresden in the winter. The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. In January, Glasgow is generally much warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 3°C (38°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Dresden. The activities around the city are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dresden for the activities around the city.

Glasgow is cooler than Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Dresden. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Glasgow