A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bruges vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

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 Bruges and Aix-en-Provence. 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.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a relaxing, historic, and vibrant town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Bruges and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bruges than Aix-en-Provence. While Aix-en-Provence is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Aix-en-Provence attracts visitors for its food and shopping. Bruges is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also well known for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Aix-en-Provence is famous for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Bruges different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

Bruges is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Aix-en-Provence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

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.

Is Bruges or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Bruges has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Bruges or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Bruges has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Aix-en-Provence specifically to go shopping. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

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 Bruges or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Bruges is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence 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, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Bruges or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Bruges and Aix-en-Provence both great destinations for a couple.

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.

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Bruges or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is well known for backpackers. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bruges is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Aix-en-Provence is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Bruges or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Many students visit Aix-en-Provence. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Bruges is not popular with students.

Is Bruges or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bruges and Aix-en-Provence both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Aix-en-Provence has a few public transit options. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Bruges or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Bruges is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Bruges or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Aix-en-Provence due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges than Aix-en-Provence 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 Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

The cultural destination of Bruges offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Aix-en-Provence. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

The quaint city of Bruges offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence 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.

Five days in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

Bruges is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. 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.

A week in Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Aix-en-Provence. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Bruges and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence 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 Bruges Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Aix-en-Provence, 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 Bruges or Aix-en-Provence?

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 Bruges or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Aix-en-Provence. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bruges is cooler than Aix-en-Provence in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bruges is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Aix-en-Provence. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Aix-en-Provence. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the natural beauty.

Bruges is much colder than Aix-en-Provence in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Aix-en-Provence. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Bruges