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

Should you visit Bruges or Connemara?

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 Connemara. 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Connemara

Connemara is a natural, remote, and dramatic region. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Bruges and Connemara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Connemara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Connemara are popular destinations, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Connemara attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Bruges is more touristy than Connemara 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). Connemara is famous for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves.

How is Bruges different from Connemara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Connemara is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Connemara is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.

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

Both Bruges and Connemara offer superb 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, Connemara makes for a great culinary experience. The area has been influenced by the improving food scene in nearby regions. You'll find everything from fine dining restaurants to food trucks that use local ingredients and recipes. The area has no shortage of seafood, shellfish, and even Connemara lamb.

Is Bruges or Connemara Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Connemara is not a good region for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. 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.

Connemara doesn't offer many options. You'll find some bars in the area but most people visit for the natural beauty, not the nightlife scene.

Is Bruges or Connemara Better for Beaches?

Connemara is great for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Connemara for it's beautiful beaches. You'll find wide stretches of sandy beach as well as hidden coves that offer a peaceful retreat. Some of the best beaches in the area include Dog’s Bay Beach, Trá an Dóilín, and Glassilaun Beach.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Connemara Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Connemara 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.

Connemara does not have a historic old town.

Is Bruges or Connemara Better for Hiking?

Connemara is very popular for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Connemara is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The landscape is considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland and there are many walks and hikes that let you experience it. Some of the best hikes are The Cong and Clonbur Forest Trail, the Claddaghduff Quay to Omey Island Walk, and Mount Gable Walk.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Connemara?

Bruges is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Bruges to go 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.

Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bruges or Connemara Better for Families?

Bruges is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Connemara is not a good region for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Connemara is not always a place people visit with their families. There are plenty of places to explore outdoors such as Connemara National Park as well as the nearby beaches. You'll also find several playgrounds in the area.

Is Bruges or Connemara Better for Couples?

Bruges and Connemara both superb 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.

Connemara is a very popular place to visit for couples. You'll find romantic hotels and beautiful walks through hidden coves and dramatic countryside. Couples will enjoy exploring castles and getting lost in the beauty.

Is Bruges or Connemara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Connemara is not a good region 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.

Connemara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in the area, you really need a car to explore the area in depth. This turns off a lot of backpackers.

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

Bruges is a popular place for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Connemara. There are a few buses in the area but you really need a private vehicle to get around to most places.

Is Bruges or Connemara a more walkable city?

Bruges is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region for its walkability.

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

Connemara is not a very walkable city. You really need a vehicle to experience everything that the region has to offer.

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

Should I spend more time in Connemara or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Connemara?

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Connemara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Connemara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Bruges. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Connemara. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Connemara?

Bruges is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the natural destination of Connemara. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 10-Day Tours in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Bruges and Connemara, 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 Connemara Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Bruges or Connemara?

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 Connemara in the Summer?

Both Connemara and Bruges during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Connemara for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Connemara in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Connemara fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Bruges. In the summer, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Connemara. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 142 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Connemara. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Connemara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Connemara. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Connemara in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bruges is around the same temperature as Connemara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Connemara averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Connemara during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Connemara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bruges usually receives less rain than Connemara. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Connemara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Connemara. Many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Connemara for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Connemara. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Connemara fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Connemara. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 59 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Connemara. Bruges usually gets less rain in January than Connemara. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Connemara in the Spring?

Both Connemara and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Connemara because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Connemara in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Connemara fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Connemara. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Connemara and Bruges