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

Should you visit Bruges or Bonn?

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 Bonn. 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 cultural, beautiful, and historic 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.

Bonn

Bonn is a outdoorsy, lively, and cultural city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Bonn?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bruges than Bonn. While Bonn is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bruges is better known for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bonn is more popular for its shopping. Bruges is more touristy than Bonn and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Also, Bruges is famous for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Bruges different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Bonn 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.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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

Bruges is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn 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 Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Bruges or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Bruges and Bonn.

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 Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Bruges or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

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

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Bonn?

Bonn 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 Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

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 Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Bonn is very family-friendly. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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 Bruges or Bonn Better for Couples?

Bruges is a great city for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Bruges or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Bruges or Bonn Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Bonn. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bonn is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bonn. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

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 Bruges or Bonn a more walkable city?

Bruges is very popular for its walkability. Also, Bonn 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.

Bonn is a very walkable city. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Bonn?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Bruges than Bonn. 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 Bonn 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 Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

Bruges is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bonn 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 Bonn?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Bruges. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

The beautiful city of Bruges offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Bonn. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Bonn?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Bonn, 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 Bonn?

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 Bruges or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bruges is around the same temperature as Bonn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bonn averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives less rain than Bonn. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Bonn in the Autumn?

Both Bonn and Bruges during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Bonn. Many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bonn can be very cold during winter. Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. Bruges is a little warmer than Bonn in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives more rain than Bonn. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Bonn. Most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Bruges is cooler than Bonn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Bonn averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bonn. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Bruges