A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Hannover vs. Dresden for Nightlife, Old Town, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Hannover or Dresden?

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 Hannover and Dresden. 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.

Hannover

Hannover is a dynamic, diverse, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Hannover and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hannover or Dresden?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dresden than Hannover, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dresden is more touristy than Hannover 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). Also, Dresden is famous for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Hannover is well known for its many parks and gardens as well as its accessibility to the German train system.

How is Hannover different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Hannover or Dresden.

Hannover is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll see many of the city's sights along the Red Thread Trail in the city center. Make sure you check out the New Town Hall, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, and the Lower Saxony State Museum as well.

Dresden offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Hannover or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Hannover and Dresden offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hannover. You'll find classic tearooms, food halls, fine dining restaurants, and markets. Try all of the classic German sausages or sample international dishes in this dynamic city.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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 Hannover or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find superb options in both Hannover and Dresden.

The nightlife in Hannover has something for everybody. There are many students who keep the nightlife scene active. From beer halls to jazz venues, you'll find a diversity of options around town.

Dresden offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Hannover or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

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

There are many historical things to see 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.

Many people head to Hannover to see the old town. Check out the half-timbered buildings, the old churches, and the charming streets around old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hannover or Dresden?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Hannover. Head to the 14th-century Market Church (Marktkirche) and wander around the nearby streets for some of the city's best shopping. Also make sure you check out the city flea market. In addition to boutiques and independent shops, there are also major department stores and large shopping malls in the area.

Dresden offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Hannover or Dresden Better for Families?

Hannover 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 Hannover. Like many German cities, there are a number of activities geared specifically to kids. Check out the Sea Life Center or the Hannover Zoo. If you're willing to get out of town a bit, there's also Serengeti Park Hodenhagen or Rasti-Land theme park, which has rides and games.

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 Hannover or Dresden Better for Couples?

Hannover and Dresden both notable destinations for a couple.

Hannover is a nice destination for couples. Romantic settings around town include Herrenhäuser Gärten, Berggarten, and Maschpark.

Dresden makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Hannover or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Hannover and Dresden are notable places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hannover. Some people use the city to split up longer train trips. There are a couple of hostels in town if you decide to stay a night or two.

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

Is Hannover or Dresden Better for Students?

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

Hannover is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a few great universities in town including Leibniz University, which attract international students. There's also a nice nightlife and easy accessibility to the rest of Germany.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Hannover 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 Hannover. The city has 12 city trains and 38 bus lines.

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 Hannover or Dresden a more walkable city?

Hannover and Dresden are superb when it comes to walkability.

Hannover is very walkable. There are some nice walkable parts to the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Hannover?

How long in Hannover or Dresden?

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

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

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

One day in Hannover or Dresden?

In Hannover, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

The city of Dresden offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Hannover or Dresden?

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

Dresden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dresden, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Hannover or Dresden?

Hannover 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Hannover or Dresden?

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

Dresden is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Hannover or Dresden?

Hannover has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Hannover 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 Hannover 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 Hannover or Dresden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hannover as well as Dresden. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hannover this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hannover is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Hannover average around 18°C (64°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Hannover usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dresden. Hannover gets 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hannover or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Hannover are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hannover for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Hannover is around the same temperature as Dresden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hannover averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Hannover usually receives less rain than Dresden. Hannover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hannover or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Hannover during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hannover in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dresden can be very cold during winter. Hannover can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hannover is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hannover in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Dresden averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Hannover usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Hannover gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hannover or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hannover and Dresden. Most visitors come to Hannover for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city.

In April, Hannover is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Hannover average around 8°C (47°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Hannover usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Hannover gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Hannover