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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Dresden?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Dresden. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden

Dresden is a friendly, architectural, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Dresden?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Dresden than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam is larger than Dresden, Dresden has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dresden is very popular for its historical sights, while Rotterdam attracts visitors for its shopping and big city activities. Dresden is more touristy than Rotterdam 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). It is also well known for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Dresden and Rotterdam.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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 Rotterdam or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Dresden can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Rotterdam is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Dresden offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Rotterdam or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Rotterdam and Dresden.

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Dresden has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Rotterdam or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

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

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Dresden. 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Dresden?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam or Dresden Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotterdam is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam or Dresden Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Dresden both nice destinations for a couple.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

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 Rotterdam or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Dresden are nice places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

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

Is Rotterdam or Dresden Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a great destination for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam or Dresden a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Dresden are superb when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Dresden?

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

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

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

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

One day in Rotterdam or Dresden?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dresden has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Dresden?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Rotterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the architectural destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Dresden?

Rotterdam 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Dresden. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Rotterdam or Dresden?

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

Dresden is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Dresden?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Dresden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Dresden. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Rotterdam is cooler than Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Dresden. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dresden can be very cold during winter. Rotterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally much warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Dresden. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city.

Rotterdam is cooler than Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Rotterdam gets 52 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 Rotterdam