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

Should you visit Birmingham or Bruges?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Bruges can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Bruges?

You'll generally find more things to do in Birmingham than Bruges. Birmingham is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Birmingham is better known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and shopping, while Bruges is more popular for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Also, Birmingham is famous for Victoria Square.

How is Birmingham different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Birmingham or Bruges.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

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.

Is Birmingham or Bruges Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for its shows and theatre. However, Bruges is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Bruges is not a theatre destination.

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

Bruges is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

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 Birmingham or Bruges Better for Music?

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

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Bruges offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Bruges?

Birmingham 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 Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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 Birmingham or Bruges Better for Families?

Birmingham 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 Birmingham. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

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 Birmingham or Bruges Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Bruges are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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.

Is Birmingham or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Bruges is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Bruges Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham and Bruges both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

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 Birmingham or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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.

Birmingham is a very walkable city. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Bruges. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Bruges. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges than Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bruges, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Bruges?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bruges, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the bustling destination of Birmingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bruges is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in 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 Birmingham and Bruges, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Bruges?

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

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 Birmingham or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Bruges. Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bruges. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Birmingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bruges because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Bruges. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bruges in the winter. The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. In the winter, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Bruges. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Bruges. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty.

In April, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bruges. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Birmingham