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

Should you visit Bruges or Dijon?

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 Dijon. 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. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dijon

Dijon is a culinary, relaxing, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Dijon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dijon than Bruges. Dijon is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dijon is better known for its food and big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Dijon and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Dijon is well known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. Also, Dijon is famous for The Ducal Palace.

How is Bruges different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dijon offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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

Dijon 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 Dijon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

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 Dijon Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is Bruges or Dijon Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is terrific for its historic old town. However, Dijon 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.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Dijon?

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

Dijon is a great destination for shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Bruges or Dijon Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Dijon 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.

Dijon is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Bruges or Dijon Better for Couples?

Bruges and Dijon 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.

Dijon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Is Bruges or Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is notable for backpackers. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bruges. 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.

Dijon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is Bruges or Dijon Better for Students?

Dijon is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges and Dijon both offer notable 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.

Dijon has a few public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Bruges or Dijon a more walkable city?

Bruges is terrific for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of 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.

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Dijon?

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

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

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 Dijon. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Dijon?

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.

Dijon 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Dijon?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming 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 cultural destination of Dijon. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Dijon?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Dijon, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon in the Summer?

Both Dijon and Bruges during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bruges is cooler than Dijon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Dijon averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Dijon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bruges. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Dijon. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Bruges or Dijon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Dijon. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Dijon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Dijon. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

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

Should I visit Bruges or Dijon in the Winter?

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

Dijon can be very cold during winter. Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. Bruges is around the same temperature as Dijon in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dijon fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

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

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

Should I visit Bruges or Dijon in the Spring?

Both Dijon 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 Dijon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bruges is cooler than Dijon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Dijon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Dijon and Bruges