A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Leipzig vs. Dresden for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Leipzig or Dresden?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Leipzig 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.

Leipzig

Leipzig is a dynamic, cultural, and historic city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. 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.

Leipzig and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leipzig or Dresden?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dresden than Leipzig, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dresden is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Leipzig is more popular for its museums, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Dresden is more touristy than Leipzig 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. Leipzig is well known for being the home of several great musicians such as Bach and Richard Wagner.

How is Leipzig different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Leipzig offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic landmarks like Old City Hall, St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Battle of the Nations Monument.

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 Leipzig or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Leipzig and Dresden.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Leipzig. Coffee houses and cellar restaurants offer an unique atmosphere where you can enjoy local specialties. Sample beef roulade or Saxon dumplings while you soak up the cozy ambiance.

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 Leipzig or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is great for nightlife. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Dresden for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Leipzig. Nightlife in town centers around live theater, cultural centers, and live entertainment.

Is Leipzig or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is great for its historic old town. However, Leipzig does not have a 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.

Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Leipzig or Dresden?

Leipzig 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 Leipzig. The city center has most of the best shopping areas. There are pedestrian streets and squares like Petersstraße and Marktplatz, as well as large shopping malls like Promenaden Hauptbahnhof Leipzig and Petersbogen.

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 Leipzig or Dresden Better for Families?

Leipzig 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 Leipzig. Head to Belantis, which is an amusement park with rides, or take the kids to one of the many parks like Clara-Zetkin Park where they can unwind. The Leipzig Zoo makes a nice outing as well or Maya Mare is a fun waterpark. There are also several good museums like the Leipzig Panometer.

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 Leipzig or Dresden Better for Couples?

Leipzig and Dresden are both notable to visit as a couple.

Leipzig is a nice destination for couples. There are many beautiful outdoor parks and natural areas where couples can enjoy this beautiful city.

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 Leipzig or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Leipzig. Many backpackers overlook this city, but there are a few hostels and some nice areas to explore for those who make their way here.

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

Leipzig 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 Leipzig. The city has 61 bus lines and 13 tram lines that connect Leizpig to elsewhere in the region.

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 Leipzig or Dresden a more walkable city?

Dresden is great for its walkability. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Leipzig is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of Leizpig are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Leipzig?

How long in Leipzig or Dresden?

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

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

One day in Leipzig or Dresden?

In Leipzig, 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.

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 Leipzig or Dresden?

In Leipzig, 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 Leipzig 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 Leipzig or Dresden?

Leipzig 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 Leipzig or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Leipzig. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Leipzig. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Germany, and The Best Luxury Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Leipzig or Dresden?

Leipzig has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Leipzig 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 Leipzig 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 Leipzig or Dresden in the Summer?

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

In July, Leipzig is generally around the same temperature as Dresden. Daily temperatures in Leipzig average around 19°C (67°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Leipzig usually gets less rain in July than Dresden. Leipzig gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leipzig or Dresden in the Autumn?

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

Leipzig is around the same temperature as Dresden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leipzig averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Leipzig usually receives less rain than Dresden. Leipzig gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Leipzig or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Leipzig during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Leipzig 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 Leipzig can be very cold. In the winter, Leipzig is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leipzig in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Dresden averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Leipzig usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Dresden. Leipzig gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leipzig or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leipzig and Dresden. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dresden for the activities around the city.

In April, Leipzig is generally around the same temperature as Dresden. Daily temperatures in Leipzig average around 10°C (49°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Leipzig usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Leipzig 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 Leipzig