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

Should you visit Salzburg or Dresden?

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

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

Salzburg

Salzburg is a musical, cultural, and recognizable city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Dresden

Dresden is a architectural, cultural, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Dresden?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Dresden. While Dresden is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dresden attracts visitors for its nightlife and big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Dresden and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Dresden is famous for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady).

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Salzburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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 Salzburg or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salzburg is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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 Salzburg or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Dresden Better for Music?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Dresden is not a live music destination.

In Salzburg you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Dresden is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Salzburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Dresden?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Salzburg is a world class destination for shoppers. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg or Dresden Better for Families?

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

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg or Dresden Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Salzburg makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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

Is Salzburg or Dresden Better for Students?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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 Salzburg or Dresden a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Dresden both are very good when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Dresden?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Dresden. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Dresden. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dresden.

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

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

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

One day in Salzburg or Dresden?

In Salzburg, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Dresden offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Dresden?

In Salzburg, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Dresden is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dresden, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Dresden?

Salzburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Salzburg has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Dresden is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Salzburg. 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.

Dresden is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Dresden?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Dresden. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Dresden. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Dresden. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Salzburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dresden. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, 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 Salzburg can be very cold. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Dresden. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden and Salzburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the activities around the city.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Salzburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dresden. Salzburg gets 55 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 Salzburg