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

Should you visit Bruges or Arles?

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 Arles. 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 beautiful, historic, and charming 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.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bruges than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bruges is very popular for its impressive beauty and quaint atmosphere, while Arles attracts visitors for its museums. Bruges is more touristy than Arles 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). Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Bruges different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles 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 Arles?

Arles is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Arles has many famous sights for visitors. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Bruges offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Bruges or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bruges and Arles offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

Bruges has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arles makes for a great culinary experience. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Bruges or Arles Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Bruges and Arles.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Bruges or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the first-rate old town areas in both Bruges and Arles.

Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

The historic old town of Arles is revered around the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Arles?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bruges and Arles both offer plenty of nice spots.

Bruges has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Arles is a great destination for shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Bruges or Arles Better for Families?

Bruges is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles 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, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Bruges or Arles Better for Couples?

Bruges and Arles both high quality 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.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Bruges or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

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

Bruges and Arles 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.

Arles has a few public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Bruges or Arles a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles 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.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bruges or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bruges than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Arles. 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.

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

In Bruges, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

Five days in Bruges or Arles?

Bruges is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in Bruges or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Arles. This town 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Arles?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Arles. Many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Arles in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Arles. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Arles in the Autumn?

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

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

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Bruges usually receives less rain than Arles. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arles because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bruges can be very cold during winter. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Arles. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Arles. The spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Arles. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Bruges