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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Bruges?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Bruges, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a laid-back, scenic, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Bruges?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Bruges, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges is known for its food, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Amsterdam is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Bruges is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market.

How is Amsterdam different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Bruges.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bruges. 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 Amsterdam or Bruges? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bruges is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Bruges. 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.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Amsterdam is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Amsterdam or Bruges Better for Music?

Amsterdam is very popular for its music scene. However, Bruges is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Bruges?

Amsterdam is great for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Bruges is a great destination for shopping. 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 Amsterdam or Bruges Better for Families?

Bruges is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bruges. 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.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Bruges Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Bruges are both great to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Amsterdam or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

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.

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

Amsterdam is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Amsterdam has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Bruges has a few 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 Amsterdam or Bruges a more walkable city?

Amsterdam and Bruges both are world-class when exploring on foot.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Bruges. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Bruges. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

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

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

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

One day in Amsterdam or Bruges?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Bruges?

Amsterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Bruges. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Bruges?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Bruges is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Bruges, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Bruges much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bruges would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bruges and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Bruges.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Bruges?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Bruges. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Bruges. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Bruges. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Bruges. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Amsterdam can be very cold during winter. Amsterdam is much colder than Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Bruges. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Bruges. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Amsterdam