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

Should you visit Linz 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 Linz 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.

Linz

Linz is a cultural, historic, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Dresden

Dresden is a architectural, cultural, and park-filled city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Linz and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Dresden?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dresden than Linz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dresden is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Linz is known for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. Linz is popular for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. 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). It is also home to Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace.

How is Linz different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Linz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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 Linz or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Linz and Dresden both to be good destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Linz. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Dresden is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Linz or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Linz or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Dresden?

Linz 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 Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

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 Linz or Dresden Better for Families?

Linz 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 Linz. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

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 Linz or Dresden Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Linz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

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 Linz or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Linz and Dresden are good destinations for backpackers.

Linz is a good town to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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

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

Both Linz and Dresden offer good public transit options.

Linz has a few public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Dresden has some public transit options. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Linz or Dresden a more walkable city?

Linz and Dresden both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Linz is a very walkable town. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Linz?

How long in Linz or Dresden?

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

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

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

One day in Linz or Dresden?

In Linz, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Linz or Dresden?

In Linz, 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 Linz has to offer.

Dresden is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Linz or Dresden?

Linz 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Dresden. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Linz or Dresden?

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

The park-filled city of Dresden offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, 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 Linz and Dresden, we can see that Dresden is more expensive. And not only is Linz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Linz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Linz 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden than you might in Linz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Linz Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Linz or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Linz. When comparing the sizes of Linz 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 Linz or Dresden?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Linz or Dresden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Dresden. Many travelers come to Linz for 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, Linz is around the same temperature as Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Linz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In July, Linz usually receives more rain than Dresden. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Linz or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Linz as well as Dresden. Many visitors come to Linz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Linz is generally around the same temperature as Dresden. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 11°C (52°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Linz usually gets less rain in October than Dresden. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Linz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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. Linz can be very cold during winter. Linz is much colder than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Linz averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Linz usually receives less rain than Dresden. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Linz or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden and Linz during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Linz because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

In the spring, Linz is around the same temperature as Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Linz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Linz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dresden. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Linz