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

Should you visit Tallinn or Dresden?

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

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

Tallinn

Tallinn is a quaint, whimsical, and historical 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dresden

Dresden is a cultural, park-filled, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Dresden?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dresden than Tallinn, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dresden is more popular for its big city activities, while Tallinn is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Tallinn is more touristy than Dresden and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. 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 Tallinn different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Tallinn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

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 Tallinn or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Tallinn and Dresden offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Tallinn has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dresden area. 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 Tallinn or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Tallinn and Dresden.

Tallinn has a large number of nightlife venues. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

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.

Is Tallinn or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn 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.

Tallinn offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

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 Tallinn or Dresden?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

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 Tallinn or Dresden Better for Families?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

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 Tallinn or Dresden Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Tallinn frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

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 Tallinn or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tallinn is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

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 Tallinn or Dresden Better for Students?

Tallinn is a popular place for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Tallinn 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 Tallinn. There are buses trolleys and trams 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 Tallinn or Dresden a more walkable city?

Tallinn is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Tallinn on foot is easy. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

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 Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Dresden?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallinn and Dresden. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tallinn than in Dresden. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dresden.

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

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

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

One day in Tallinn or Dresden?

In Tallinn, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

In Dresden, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

A weekend in Tallinn or Dresden?

In Tallinn, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tallinn has to offer.

In Dresden, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dresden has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Dresden?

Tallinn is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Tallinn or Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tallinn. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Tallinn. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dresden. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, 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 Tallinn and Dresden, we can see that Dresden is more expensive. And not only is Tallinn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallinn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallinn 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 Tallinn.

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Tallinn. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Tallinn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Tallinn is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tallinn in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Dresden. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Tallinn is generally much colder than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 7°C (44°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Tallinn usually receives more rain than Dresden. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Dresden. The winter months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Tallinn can be very cold. Tallinn is much colder than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Tallinn usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Tallinn in the spring. In the spring, Tallinn is much colder than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tallinn in April average around 4°C (39°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Dresden. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Tallinn