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

Should you visit Leiden or Dresden?

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 Leiden and Dresden can help you decide which place is right for you.

Leiden

Leiden is a scholarly, historic, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Leiden travel costs.

Dresden

Dresden is a cultural, park-filled, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Dresden travel costs.

Leiden and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Dresden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Leiden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Leiden attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and food. Dresden is more touristy than Leiden 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. Leiden is famous for its many museums and renowned university.

How is Leiden different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Leiden offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a huge number of museums around town. Some are affiliated with the museum, while others are not. Some of the favorites include the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden), Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Boerhaave Museum, the Corpus Museum, and the National Ethnological Museum.

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 Leiden or Dresden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Leiden 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 Leiden is an experience not to be missed. There's a diverse food scene with many international flavors such as Japanese, Chinese, and French. The cafe culture influences the culinary scene and you'll find many cozy cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat.

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 Leiden or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Dresden has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Leiden has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The large student population means that there is a good nightlife scene. There are a variety of bars, pubs, and cafes where you can enjoy a drink, with options ranging from cozy, intimate spots to larger, more vibrant venues. The Oude Markt area, with its charming historic setting, is a hotspot for nightlife, offering a mix of traditional Dutch bars and international-themed pubs.

Is Leiden or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Leiden does not have a historic old town.

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.

Leiden does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Dresden?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Leiden and Dresden.

Leiden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a mix of unique boutiques, international brands, and charming local stores. The Breestraat and Nieuwe Rijn are popular shopping streets, and they're lined with a variety of shops selling everything from fashion and accessories to books, art, and antiques. The city also has several markets, including a weekly Saturday market near the Pieterskerk, where you can find fresh produce, flowers, and vintage items.

Dresden is a great destination for shopping. 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 Leiden or Dresden Better for Families?

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

Leiden is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has a mix of educational, cultural, and fun activities for all ages. There are many family-friendly museums like Naturalis Biodiversity Center, where kids can explore dinosaurs and wildlife, and the National Museum of Antiquities, which brings history to life. There's also the Corpus Museum, which takes visitors on a unique, interactive journey through the human body.

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 Leiden or Dresden Better for Couples?

Both Leiden and Dresden are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Leiden is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy charming towns and world class museums will enjoy their time here. The town also has picturesque canals, historic bridges, and cozy street cafes. Couples can explore places like the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Netherlands, or enjoy a quiet moment in the scenic Leidse Hout Park.

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 Leiden or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden and Dresden are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Leiden is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city offers affordable accommodations, including hostels and budget-friendly hotels, as well as reasonably priced eateries serving Dutch classics and international cuisine. Many of Leiden’s attractions, like its historic canals, charming streets, and open-air markets, can be enjoyed for free.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Is Leiden or Dresden Better for Students?

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

Leiden is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It feels like a university town and it's home to Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university is known for its academic excellence and vibrant student community. The town also has a young atmosphere with plenty of affordable cafes, bars, and cultural events that influence the student life. Its compact size makes it easy to navigate by bike, and the abundance of libraries, study spaces, and museums provides ample resources for learning and inspiration. Housing can be difficult to find though.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Leiden and Dresden.

Leiden has some public transit options. The Leiden Central Station is the main hub for trains, which connect the city to other towns throughout the country. Around town there are buses that are reliable and convenient.

You'll find some public transit in Dresden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Leiden or Dresden a more walkable city?

Leiden and Dresden are great when it comes to walkability.

Leiden is a very walkable destination. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with many of its attractions, cafes, shops, and historical sites located within walking distance of each other.

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 Leiden Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Dresden?

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

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

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

One day in Leiden or Dresden?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Leiden or Dresden?

In Leiden, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Leiden has to offer.

Dresden is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Leiden or Dresden?

Leiden 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Leiden or Dresden?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Dresden. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden 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 Leiden 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 Leiden or Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Leiden during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Leiden for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Leiden 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 Leiden or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Dresden. The autumn months attract visitors to Leiden because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

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

In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Dresden. Leiden 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 Leiden or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Dresden. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dresden. It's quite cold in Leiden in the winter. In January, Leiden is generally much warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Leiden 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 Leiden or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Dresden in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

In April, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Leiden 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 Leiden