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

Should you visit Tartu 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 Tartu 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.

Tartu

Tartu is a lively, intellectual, and student-oriented university town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include 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.

Tartu and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Dresden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Tartu. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Tartu attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Tartu 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. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dresden is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dresden. 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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tartu or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dresden is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Dresden is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Tartu and Dresden.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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.

Is Tartu or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Both Tartu and Dresden have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.

Tartu is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Dresden?

Dresden is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Dresden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Dresden Better for Families?

Tartu 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 Tartu. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

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 Tartu or Dresden Better for Couples?

Dresden is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Dresden is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Tartu is a very popular university town for backpackers and budget travelers. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

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 Tartu or Dresden Better for Students?

Tartu is an amazing university town to visit for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Tartu. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Tartu and Dresden both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Tartu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Dresden has a few public transit options. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Tartu or Dresden a more walkable city?

Tartu and Dresden are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Tartu is a very walkable destination. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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 Tartu Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Dresden?

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

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

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

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

One day in Tartu or Dresden?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Dresden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this park-filled destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tartu or Dresden?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. 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 Tartu has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Five days in Tartu or Dresden?

Tartu 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Dresden. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Dresden?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget 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 Tartu and Dresden, we can see that Dresden is more expensive. And not only is Tartu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tartu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tartu 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 Tartu.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Dresden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Dresden. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Dresden in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Tartu usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Tartu usually receives more rain than Dresden. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden and Tartu during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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. Tartu can be very cold during winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Dresden. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Dresden. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Tartu is much colder than Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Dresden. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Tartu