A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aberdeen vs. Bruges for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Aberdeen or Bruges?

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

Should I visit Aberdeen or Bruges? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a authentic, historic, 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.

Bruges

Bruges is a cultural, beautiful, and historic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Aberdeen and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aberdeen or Bruges?

You'll generally find more things to do in Aberdeen than Bruges. Aberdeen is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Aberdeen is better known for its big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Aberdeen and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Aberdeen is well known for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities. Also, Aberdeen is famous for St Machar's Cathedral Aberdeen.

How is Aberdeen different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aberdeen or Bruges?

Both Aberdeen and Bruges have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Aberdeen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

Many visitors head to Bruges specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

Is the Food Better in Aberdeen or Bruges? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bruges is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

Aberdeen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Both Aberdeen and Bruges are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Bruges offers plenty to see. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Aberdeen. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Aberdeen or Bruges?

Both Aberdeen and Bruges are notable shopping destinations.

Aberdeen is a great destination for shopping. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bruges. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges Better for Families?

Aberdeen is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Aberdeen. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

Bruges is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges Better for Couples?

Bruges is a well-known place for romance. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bruges is a very popular place to visit for couples. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

Aberdeen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges Better for Students?

Aberdeen is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Aberdeen. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

Bruges is not popular with students.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Aberdeen and Bruges offer notable public transit options.

Aberdeen has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Bruges has some public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Aberdeen or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Bruges on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

Aberdeen is a very walkable city. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Aberdeen Worth Visiting? and Is Bruges Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Aberdeen?

How long in Aberdeen or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aberdeen and Bruges. In our opinion, Bruges has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bruges than Aberdeen. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aberdeen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges than Aberdeen 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 Bruges.

One day in Aberdeen or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aberdeen. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Bruges offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Aberdeen or Bruges?

Aberdeen 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.

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

Five days in Aberdeen or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aberdeen. 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.

Bruges 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.

A week in Aberdeen or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the architectural destination of Aberdeen. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Aberdeen or Bruges?

Aberdeen has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Aberdeen and Bruges, 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 Aberdeen or Bruges?

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 Aberdeen or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aberdeen as well as Bruges. Most visitors come to Aberdeen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aberdeen is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Aberdeen average around 14°C (58°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. In the summer, Aberdeen often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Aberdeen gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets less rain in July than Bruges. Aberdeen gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Aberdeen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

Aberdeen is cooler than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aberdeen averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Aberdeen usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Aberdeen gets 93 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aberdeen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bruges. Aberdeen gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Aberdeen during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. It's quite cold in Aberdeen in the winter. In the winter, Aberdeen is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aberdeen in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Aberdeen often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Aberdeen gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Aberdeen usually gets more rain in January than Bruges. Aberdeen gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aberdeen or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aberdeen and Bruges. Many travelers come to Aberdeen for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Aberdeen is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Aberdeen average around 7°C (44°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Aberdeen usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during spring. Aberdeen gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aberdeen usually receives more rain than Bruges. Aberdeen gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Aberdeen