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

Should you visit Bruges or Beaune?

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 Beaune. 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, cultural, and beautiful 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.

Beaune

Beaune is a culinary, quaint, and vineyard-filled town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Beaune?

Both Beaune and Bruges have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Bruges is more popular for its impressive beauty and quaint atmosphere, while Beaune is known for its food and small town charm. Bruges is more touristy than Beaune and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Beaune is popular for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines.

How is Bruges different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Beaune and Bruges.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Beaune offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

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

Beaune 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 Beaune, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

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 Beaune Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Bruges and Beaune.

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 Beaune. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Bruges or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the terrific old town areas in both Bruges and Beaune.

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 Beaune is revered around the world. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Beaune?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bruges and Beaune both offer plenty of good 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.

Beaune is a great destination for shopping. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Bruges or Beaune Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Beaune are good family-friendly destinations.

Bruges offers lots of family activities. 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.

Beaune is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Bruges or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is very popular for couples. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Beaune is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

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 Bruges or Beaune Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a great destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bruges is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

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

Bruges and Beaune both offer good 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.

Beaune has a few public transit options. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Bruges or Beaune a more walkable city?

Bruges and Beaune are terrific when it comes to 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.

It is easy to get around Beaune on foot. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Bruges or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beaune 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 Beaune.

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

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Beaune. 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.

A weekend in Bruges or Beaune?

Bruges 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.

Beaune is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaune. Don't miss the food, 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 Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Bruges. This city 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vineyard-filled destination of Beaune. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bruges and Beaune, we can see that Beaune 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 Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune 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 Bruges Expensive? and Is Beaune Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Beaune?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Beaune, 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 Beaune?

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 Beaune in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Beaune. The summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In July, Bruges is generally cooler than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaune. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Beaune. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Beaune. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Beaune in the Autumn?

Both Beaune and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Beaune for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Beaune in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Beaune fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Beaune during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Beaune. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Beaune in the Winter?

Both Beaune and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaune in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beaune can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. In the winter, Bruges is around the same temperature as Beaune. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Beaune averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Beaune. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Beaune. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Beaune in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Beaune. Many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Beaune for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Bruges is generally cooler than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 8°C (47°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Beaune during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Beaune and Bruges