A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Brussels for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Aalborg or Brussels?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aalborg and Brussels. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a historic, charming, and local town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brussels

Brussels is a historic, cosmopolitan, and authentic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aalborg and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Brussels?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels than Aalborg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brussels is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Aalborg is known for its nightlife and small town charm. Aalborg is popular for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Aalborg different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Brussels?

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Brussels. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

Aalborg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Brussels? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Aalborg and Brussels.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Aalborg makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Brussels has a huge number of terrific restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Is Aalborg or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is well known for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Aalborg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Aalborg or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Aalborg. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Brussels?

Brussels is renowned for shopping. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Brussels is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aalborg. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Is Aalborg or Brussels Better for Families?

Brussels is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Brussels is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

Aalborg offers lots of family activities. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Is Aalborg or Brussels Better for Couples?

Brussels is a great destination for romance. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Brussels frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Aalborg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Is Aalborg or Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Aalborg or Brussels Better for Students?

Brussels is a great destination for students. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Brussels. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

It's common for students to visit Aalborg. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

Is Aalborg or Brussels Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brussels is renowned for its public transit. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Brussels has a great public transit system. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

While Aalborg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system around town.

Is Aalborg or Brussels a more walkable city?

Brussels is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Brussels Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Brussels?

In either Aalborg or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than Aalborg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aalborg, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brussels than Aalborg 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 Brussels.

One day in Aalborg or Brussels?

The town of Aalborg offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Because Brussels is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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 Aalborg or Brussels?

Aalborg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Aalborg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Because Brussels is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Brussels?

Aalborg is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Brussels is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Aalborg or Brussels?

Aalborg is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Brussels. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Aalborg. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Brussels, 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 Aalborg or Brussels?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aalborg or Brussels in the Summer?

Both Brussels and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

Aalborg is cooler than Brussels in the summer. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In July, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Brussels. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aalborg or Brussels in the Autumn?

Both Brussels and Aalborg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Aalborg is cooler than Brussels. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aalborg in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Brussels averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Aalborg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Brussels. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Brussels in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Brussels. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Aalborg. In January, Aalborg is generally much colder than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around -1°C (31°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In January, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Brussels. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aalborg or Brussels in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Brussels. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the spring for the small town charm. Additionally, most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months.

Aalborg is much colder than Brussels in the spring. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in April than Brussels. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Aalborg