A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Potsdam vs. Dijon for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Potsdam or Dijon?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Dijon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a historic, accessible, and compact city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dijon

Dijon is a historical, cultural, and laid-back city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Dijon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dijon. Although Potsdam and Dijon are about the same size, Dijon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dijon is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Potsdam attracts visitors for its small town charm. Dijon is more touristy than Potsdam and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also well known for The Ducal Palace. Potsdam is famous for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Potsdam different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Potsdam or Dijon?

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Potsdam and Dijon.

Many visitors head to Potsdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dijon can be an interesting and educational experience. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

Is the Food Better in Potsdam or Dijon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dijon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

Potsdam has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

Is Potsdam or Dijon Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Potsdam and Dijon.

Potsdam has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

If you're looking for night time activities Dijon has a few options to choose from. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Dijon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dijon and Potsdam.

Potsdam offers some nice shopping areas. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Dijon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Potsdam or Dijon Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Potsdam or Dijon.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Potsdam. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Dijon offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Potsdam or Dijon Better for Couples?

Dijon is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Dijon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Potsdam is a good city for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

Is Potsdam or Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam and Dijon are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Potsdam is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is Potsdam or Dijon Better for Students?

Dijon is very good for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with students.

Dijon is popular with students. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

Is Potsdam or Dijon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Potsdam is notable for its public transit. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Potsdam can move around easily with public transportation. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

Dijon has some public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Potsdam or Dijon a more walkable city?

Potsdam is notable for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Potsdam is very walkable. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Potsdam Worth Visiting? and Is Dijon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Dijon?

It's fun to spend time in either Potsdam or Dijon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dijon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Potsdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dijon.

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

One day in Potsdam or Dijon?

In Potsdam, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this compact destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Dijon, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Potsdam or Dijon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Potsdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Dijon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dijon has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Dijon?

Potsdam is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Potsdam. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Dijon 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.

A week in Potsdam or Dijon?

You'll find food and shopping around the park-filled destination of Potsdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dijon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dijon. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Potsdam and Dijon, we can see that Dijon is more expensive. And not only is Potsdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Potsdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Potsdam 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 Dijon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dijon than you might in Potsdam.

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

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Dijon?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam and Dijon, 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 Potsdam or Dijon?

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 Potsdam or Dijon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Dijon. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Potsdam is generally cooler than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 19°C (66°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dijon this time of the year. In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Dijon during summer. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Potsdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dijon. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Potsdam or Dijon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Dijon. The autumn months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dijon this time of year.

Potsdam is cooler than Dijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 121 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in October than Dijon. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Dijon in the Winter?

Both Dijon and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dijon. It's quite cold in Potsdam in the winter. In the winter, Potsdam is much colder than Dijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Potsdam in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Dijon averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Dijon during winter. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Dijon. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Potsdam or Dijon in the Spring?

Both Dijon and Potsdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dijon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Potsdam is generally cooler than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 9°C (48°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 178 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in April than Dijon. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dijon and Potsdam