Munich or Dresden

Don’t know Dresden because I haven’t made it there but it looks lovely. I have been to Munich as recent as March of this year. We don’t know how long you are planning to stay at this stop or your interests, but Munich has a nice, walkable Old Center, beer gardens, a nice food market, FC Bayern Munich (my favorite thing we did), several beautiful palaces, art museums (Alte is really good and underrated in my opinion), BMW museums, historical WWII sites and more. And it is also close to the Alps, Neuschwanstein, Berchtesgaden, and Salzburg. Really easy to navigate.

Also could google “Rick Steves Munich” and “Rick Steves Dresden” to see what he says about both.

Door #3 is to just stay in Berlin. You could easily stay busy for a long time there, too. We stayed there a week (also in March) and have things we didn’t get to. Berlin has vibe for the 20 year olds as well.

I think you’d win in all 3. Just depends on what you want out of it.

Munich is a great European city and one that may take more time than you have available. There are so many sights to see there, including great royal palaces--and beer halls. And Dachau. A trip there should include a circle south through Bavaria and Tirol and the Austrian Alps (2 hrs. south). And Salzburg is a secondary city 2 hrs east by train--the Music City of Europe.

We were in Berlin 2 years ago, and we were a little disappointed. The museums were not on par with Amsterdam, London or Paris. We found a bunch of deli's and Vietnamese restaurants but not so much German food.

It's a 2 hr. train ride down to Dresden, and we loved the city and the Saxony region. Until the end of WWII, Dresden was perhaps the most beautiful and classiest of all the European cities. It's finally been reconstructed, and the museum treasures mostly returned to their homes. We stayed at the Amedia Plaza Hotel across the plaza from Frauenkirche Dresden--a huge church. And on that plaza are a number of brewery restaurants and great places to eat. It was just 2 blocks to the Green Vault, the Castle and the Zwinger Palace. We will return to the city.

Dresden is a good city to visit when seeing Prague--a straight train ride between the cities.

"3 adult children in their early 20s" I think München is the place. Dresden has the rebuilt city center, but outside has the old east architecture. I'm sure there are great places and communities to visit there. München has much more to offer. Time of year and your interests might be a deciding factor. You can travel the Elbe in Spring and summer towards the east. From München is Königssee, Salzburg etc.

I was last in Munich more than 30 years ago, and I was in Dresden and Berlin in 2019.

Both Munich and Dresden are well worth visiting, both have many sights worth seeing. You can't go wrong.

I will say I disagree with David about Berlin. I think it's one of the great cities, but because it's very spread out, 3 days is going to feel like not enough time to do it justice. Be sure to have a good plan in place so you can make the best use of your time there.

If you like art museums, my favorites in Berlin were the Gemäldegalerie and the Alte Nationalgalerie. In Dresden, the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister was my favorite. The Green Vault is probably the most popular museum in Dresden, but I'm not particularly into museums that display tchotchkes, so I skipped it.

Dresden also has one of the world's great opera houses, if that floats your boat.

I would spend an extra night in Berlin (20-somethings will most likely love it!), and thus go to Dresden because it is closer and 2 or even 1 night there could be enough.

Munich has lots more to do. It is a true big city, though it can feel intimate if you do it right--but intimate Bavarian, which is sort of like thinking Texas is representative of America. Other than a small core, it is not very "old town." But the museums are some of the best in Germany, and there are some great sites in town. Likely a bit more interesting for young people. Early 20s who are socially conscious might be interested in the White Rose history.

Dresden is a phoenix. It is absolutely stunning--the old town is beautiful, and just sitting on one of the squares or walking along the Elbe is a treat. It is heavily rebuilt after the 13. Feb 1945 raid destroyed 75% or more of the old town, but VERY true to the original. The result is amazing. However, it isn't very big, and there is far less to see and do IN Dresden proper. Dresden can best be enjoyed as part of a regional tour--Meißen, Sächsische Schweiz (see pictures of the Bastei bridge for impressions, great for outdoor recreation), Bautzen (Sorbian region), Görlitz.

As some have said, Berlin is worth more than 3 nights, so staying longer might be a good choice as well.

Hope that helps.

It's helpful to know the month and year. But we found Munich underwhelming, even though we toured the opera house and went to a ballet performance there. Dresden has much more history and culture (we do like art museums, and the Military History museum there, addition by Daniel Liebeskind is crucially important in European history) and nice daytrips that don't require a car, like Meissen, Saxon Switzerland, Leipzig, Erfurt. I should note that I've never had the slightest desire to go to Oktoberfest. Outdoor breakfasts with Weissbier and sausage are enough for me, other times of the year. Don't forget the two Green Vaults, for those who don't care for paintings on the wall.

If you are going in December it is hands down Dresden. They have some of the best Christmas Markets in Germany!

For better context, we are traveling end of June 2024.

Lane , probably would help to define " tchotchkes " for those here who don't have some acquaintance with Yiddish ;-)

Ok, I am biased because I live in the Dresden region. I think there is plenty to do there to fill three days. Also, your early 20s adult children would certainly love the clubs, bars and ethnic restaurants in the vibrant Neustadt district. End of June is perfect, lots of concerts and outdoor events going on. Don't miss the outskirts (Pillnitz Palace and gardens e.g.), a paddle steamer ride, wine tasting (vineyards even in the city), but also the local beer (microbreweries e.g. in the Neustadt district). And a visit of National Park Saxon Switzerland with its fascinating bizarre sandstone formations, canyons, viewpoints, flat-top mountains, castles and picturesque villages is a must (only 30 minutes by suburban railway away.) You can do hiking, cycling, free climbing, kayaking ...

Dresden has the rebuilt city center, but outside has the old east architecture.
It sure has old east architecture (which is, btw, not always ugly - more and more people find it fascinating.) But it also has vast areas of gorgeous residential areas with villas/houses from the late 19th/early 20th century. Far more than old east architecture.

We were in both cities last year.

It all depends on what your goal is-- Munich is like any big city in America frankly. It's fun. It has its charm, but at the end of the day, it's the Marienplatz, Market, English Garden, and beer places. In June it may be very crowded. The area around the train station and Marienplatz reminded me of Powell/Market in San Francisco. (I'm from the Bay Area)

Dresden-- more like old style Germany/Europe that we tend to think of. It was in disrepair from WW2 until the early 90's. There is alot of history and the Green Vaults are amazing. There are beer places. The bridge across the Elbe is cool and full of people. Dresden was known as the Florence of Germany until it was bombed and fire bombed to oblivion by the allies. The evening dinner cafe scene is alive and well and the hip and happening places don't seem to start until about 8-9 pm. Hanging out in the square was fun having a beer at an outdoor cafe in the afternoon when work was letting out.

The cities are entirely different due to Munich being in Bavaria and has been part of the modern day West. Dresden was in East Germany and you will notice a different vibe which I found interesting and part of the charm of travel.

Just my opinion of the 2 cities. Both are fine choices it all depends on what you guys value for your time. Both have great transportation systems and both are walkable.

Edit-- I just Saw Ibrenn had replied to your post. Listen to Ibrenn. Ibrenn gave me great advice for our trip to the Saxon region last year that was spot on invaluable!!!!!

I suppose the answer will depend to some extent on the interests of the group, also where you will be heading after that.

I've been to both cities, and both have lots to see. However, overall I think the Munich area offers more touring activities to choose from, not only in the city but also in the surrounding area. You might find it helpful to have a look at the newest copy of the RS Germany guidebook.