A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belfast vs. Bruges for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Belfast or Bruges?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a authentic, affordable, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and shopping.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, 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.

Belfast and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Bruges?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bruges than Belfast. While Belfast is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Belfast is more popular for its big city activities. Bruges is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Also, Bruges is famous for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Belfast is well known for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Belfast different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bruges can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bruges is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

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

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

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 Belfast or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic 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.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Bruges?

Both Belfast and Bruges are notable shopping destinations.

Belfast is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

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 Belfast or Bruges Better for Families?

Belfast and Bruges are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Bruges is a family-friendly city. 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 Belfast or Bruges Better for Couples?

Bruges is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Bruges Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Belfast 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.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Belfast and Bruges. In our opinion, Bruges has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bruges than Belfast. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Belfast. 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 Bruges than Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bruges, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Belfast or Bruges?

Belfast 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.

In Bruges, you'll find food and shopping. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. 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 great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Belfast. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bruges. 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 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belfast and Bruges, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Bruges?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Bruges. Many travelers come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Belfast is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 15°C (59°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, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Belfast or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Belfast in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Belfast is cooler than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than Bruges. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Belfast during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, 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. Belfast can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Belfast is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belfast in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in January than Bruges. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Bruges. The spring months attract visitors to Belfast because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

In April, Belfast is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 8°C (46°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Belfast usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Belfast usually receives more rain than Bruges. Belfast gets 50 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 Belfast