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

Should you visit Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a cultural, authentic, and dynamic 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 park-filled, friendly, and architectural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Nottingham and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nottingham or Dresden?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dresden than Nottingham. Dresden is bigger than Nottingham, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dresden is better known for its nightlife and historical sights, while Nottingham is more popular for its music and shopping. Dresden is more touristy than Nottingham and is known 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. Nottingham is well known for its authenticity and local cuisine.

How is Nottingham different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Nottingham and Dresden have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Nottingham is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

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 Nottingham or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Nottingham and Dresden offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Nottingham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Dresden has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Nottingham or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is well known for nightlife. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Dresden is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Nottingham has a few options to choose from. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

Is Nottingham or Dresden Better for Music?

Nottingham is a popular place for its music scene. However, Dresden is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Nottingham is active and vibrant. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Dresden is not a live music destination.

Is Nottingham or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is well known for its historic old town. However, Nottingham 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.

Nottingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nottingham or Dresden?

Nottingham 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 Nottingham. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

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 Nottingham or Dresden Better for Families?

Nottingham 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 Nottingham. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air 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 Nottingham or Dresden Better for Couples?

Both Nottingham and Dresden are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nottingham is a nice destination for couples. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

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 Nottingham or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Nottingham 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 Nottingham. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

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 Nottingham or Dresden a more walkable city?

Nottingham and Dresden both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Nottingham is very walkable. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

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 Nottingham Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Nottingham?

How long in Nottingham or Dresden?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dresden than Nottingham 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 Dresden.

One day in Nottingham or Dresden?

In Nottingham, you'll find shopping and museums. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the park-filled city of Dresden, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dresden, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Nottingham or Dresden?

In Nottingham, 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 Nottingham has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Dresden, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Nottingham or Dresden?

Nottingham 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Nottingham or Dresden?

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

Dresden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Nottingham or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Nottingham. When comparing the sizes of Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Nottingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nottingham for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Dresden in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nottingham is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 16°C (62°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Nottingham usually receives less rain than Dresden. Nottingham gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nottingham or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Nottingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nottingham in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

Nottingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dresden. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nottingham and Dresden. Most visitors come to Nottingham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, 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. Nottingham can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nottingham is much warmer than Dresden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nottingham in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Dresden averages at about 1°C (33°F).

In January, Nottingham usually receives more rain than Dresden. Nottingham gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nottingham or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nottingham as well as Dresden. The spring months attract visitors to Nottingham because of the activities around the city. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

In April, Nottingham is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 8°C (46°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Nottingham usually gets less rain in April than Dresden. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Nottingham