Warnemünde or Dresden?
 

M-W in June. I like city architecture and European seaside resorts. Not sure which to go to. Anyone been to both and have a preference? I don't think I can go wrong with either, but torn and curious.

Dresden without question. Warnemünde is not comparable in any way. Only pro is that you are at the ocean. To be honest I'm not a big fan. Dresden has some of the finest architecture and museums available.

Thank you! I respect your opinions on many things I have read. I think you are on to something. I have 2 nights already reserved at the Hilton Dresden and it looks like it is well situated. I was doubting my decision, but you helped me sway it back.

Location of Hilton is very central and ideal for exploring the town. Never saw it from inside.

The Hilton is great, I have stayed at it before. Dresden is gorgeous and probably my favorite German town. I haven't been to the other though to compare. Dresden won't disappoint though.

No doubt at all. Dresden

In case you need some further assurance: Definitely Dresden. Not even close.

Just curious, why those two? One is a city, the other a village, and they're not close by. Seems like an odd choice at first sight.

Dresden for sure. Warnemünde is nice, but not much to do there.

The museums in Dresden are excellent but beyond that it's a pretty grim place. Most of the centre has been rebuilt into a high end American suburban mall. Don't expect quaint restaurants etc. It's mainly chain eateries, a lot of burgers and other American food on offer. Also expect hordes of German tourists intent on shopping at places like H&M; the lines to get into the Frauenkirche are epic. Neustadt on the other side of the Elbe maybe more authentic. But it's doesn't have much by way of sights.

I have and will visit several other cities in Germany this summer. It is one of my favorite places. I am spending the weekend in Berlin and have a couple of free weekdays to spend that I thought I would visit some places in that part of Germany. I have been to Berlin several times.

I have always been interested in Dresden, but an old Baltic beach town seems fascinating too. But I just made a great Hilton redemption at the Hilton Dresden for a couple of nights, so there I go.

Thanks for all the advice on this thread though. Really helps.

Food theme is the same at all German cities. Individual restaurants are replaced by chain eateries. Otherwise I don’t share your opinion about Dresden.

Actually spent a day in Warnemünde a few years ago. A few summers ago three of us did a bike tour from Jena to Rostock and went up to Warnemünde for the day just to dip our toes in the Baltic. Seemed nice enough but not sure I'd be in a hurry to go back. Then again, I am used to California beach towns so I may be biased :)

The original plan was to then take the ferry over to Denmark and ride to Copenhagen, but my brother had some work issues and had to get back so we dropped that portion. But we want to somebody finish that leg so maybe we'll head back to Warnemünde :)

Ok, for future reference, keep in mind Wismar, Stralsund, or Greifswald, which are larger than Warnemuende, and pretty towns.

Warnemunde is very popular with the cruise ships so can become very busy when they are in port. Having said that, it is a lovely town with plenty of shops and places to eat and is popular with tourists. Having never been to Dresden, i could not say which is my favourite.

Or Kühlungsborn or Heiligendamm or the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. Smaller towns than Warnemünde, and not as close to Rostock and mainline trains, but prettier. Or Rügen. Or Hiddensee.

Still plenty of independent and decent restaurants in most German cities including Dresden. Certainly less chain places than in America or even the UK. I would also agree that Dresden is still a great place to visit (and in fact likely a better place to visit now than it would have been 20 years ago). I was there once in the 80s and now *that* was kinda grim.

All this, along with Warnemuende and indeed Dresden too, sounds very interesting. But how safe are these places to visit, in today's Germany, for people of colour?

As a POC, I have never had an issue anywhere in Germany. I have never even felt the least bit uncomfortable in Germany. I don't think I would ever even give it a thought. Unless somethings have changed since last year, I expect that I will experience the same welcome I always have.

Don't mean to argue or debate, but are the very frequent recent reports of attacks on POC, especially in the former DDR, all fake news?

I can only address my personal experiences. I've been traveling to Germany since the 80s. Obviously, mostly in the west until the 90s.. I have driven all over, taken trains, busses, planes, etc. I can not think of one racial incident that I have experienced. There are counties in my own state where I often feel uncomfortable, but I have never felt that way in Germany.

I wish I could remember all of the hundreds of Germans I have met who have extended warm welcomes and I have worked with, dined with, gotten drunk with, laughed with. It is truly one of my favorite countries on the planet. That being said, like anywhere else, be aware of your surroundings and know where you are. Although, I have felt pretty safe stumbling through Berlin at dawn after a crazy night.

Wouldn´t say fake news but it´s not as frequent as you may think. If you consider how many POC are in Germany and how many attacs there are it´s of course a problem but not that dramatic as people think. If you consider further that many of this attacs are against dedicated refugees homes etc. the risk for a POC in Germany is very low. I guess the relative frequency of such attacs is much higher in many parts of the US.

The chance of being attacked for being a "POC" in Dresden or Warnemuende is much smaller than the odds of being mugged and assaulted by criminals in Berlin, Paris, London etc.

Absolutely double this!

Certainly safer than any visit to the US for people of any color. Germany has 0,7 murders per year per 100.000 inhabitants, the US offer four times as much,

And many of this around 400 murders are out of a relationship. In the US in 2016 it was 5,3 on 100 T,

If you ask for right-wing Acts of violence (which includes violance against POC out of raciest Motives) it were in whole Germany 1600 in 2016, 1190 were against foreigners. Included is every act of violance, also against left-wing groups etc. Also many acts are against accomodations of refugees (153) so I guess there are perhaps maximum 500 acts per year in whole Germany against POC. which are normally no tourists If you consider this it´s very very unlikely you are a victim as a tourist.