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

Should you visit Bruges or Caen?

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 Caen. 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Caen are about the same size, Bruges has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bruges is better known for its historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Caen is more popular for its big city activities. Bruges is more touristy than Caen 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). Caen is well known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Bruges different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

Both Bruges and Caen offer excellent 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, Caen makes for a great culinary experience. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Bruges or Caen Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Bruges or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Bruges is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Caen?

Bruges is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bruges. 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bruges or Caen Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Caen are notable 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.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Bruges or Caen Better for Couples?

Bruges is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Bruges makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Bruges or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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

Caen 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 Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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 Caen a more walkable city?

Bruges is renowned for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Bruges. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bruges and Caen. In our opinion, Bruges has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bruges than Caen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

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 food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Caen?

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.

Caen 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 Caen?

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 Caen. 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 Caen?

The cultural 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 food and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Caen. This city 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, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Caen?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Caen. The summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In the summer, Bruges is around the same temperature as Caen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Caen averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Caen during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Caen. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Caen. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

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

In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Caen. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in October than Caen. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. Bruges is much colder than Caen in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Bruges or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Bruges during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Bruges is cooler than Caen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Caen averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Caen. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Caen. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Bruges