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

Should you visit Kos 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 Kos 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.

Kos

Kos is a party-hard, vibrant, and beautiful island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Dresden

Dresden is a cultural, park-filled, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kos and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Dresden?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kos than Dresden, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kos is better known for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Dresden is more popular for its historical sights and big city activities. Dresden is more touristy than Kos 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). Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Also, Kos is famous for Asklepieion Archeological Site.

How is Kos different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kos is an amazing island 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 Kos on the map. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

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 Kos or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos is an amazing island to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Kos is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

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.

Is Kos or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Both Kos and Dresden have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Kos has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

The people in Dresden know how to have a good time. 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 Kos or Dresden Better for Resorts?

Kos is a popular place for its resorts. However, Dresden is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Dresden is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Dresden Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Dresden is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Kos a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Dresden is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Dresden Better for Beaches?

Kos is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Dresden is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Kos. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Dresden is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

Dresden is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Dresden Better for Hiking?

Kos is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Dresden is not a hiking destination.

Kos is a good destination for hiking. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Dresden is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Dresden?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Kos and Dresden.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

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 Kos or Dresden Better for Families?

Kos 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 Kos. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

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 Kos or Dresden Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Kos frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

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 Kos or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kos is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

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

Kos 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 Kos. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

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 Kos or Dresden a more walkable city?

Kos and Dresden are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Kos?

How long in Kos or Dresden?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kos or Dresden?

In Kos, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With nightlife and food around the park-filled destination of Dresden, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Dresden?

In Kos, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kos has to offer.

Many people visit Dresden for a weekend. With food and shopping around the architectural city of Dresden, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Dresden?

Kos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kos has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The destination of Dresden offers shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. 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.

A week in Kos or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Kos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Dresden, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Kos or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos 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.