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

Should you visit Bruges or Dublin?

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 Dublin. 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, charming, and historic 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.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Bruges and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dublin than Bruges, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dublin is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges is known for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Dublin and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also home to The Guinness Storehouse.

How is Bruges different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Dublin 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.

Dublin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Bruges is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Bruges or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Dublin is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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.

Is Bruges or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is great for its music scene. However, Bruges is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin draws a good crowd. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is Bruges or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is terrific for its old town. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Dublin is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

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 Dublin Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dublin. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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 Dublin Better for Couples?

Bruges and Dublin both great 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.

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Bruges or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bruges and Dublin are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Bruges or Dublin Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges and Dublin 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.

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Bruges or Dublin a more walkable city?

Bruges and Dublin are world-class 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 Dublin on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Dublin?

In either Bruges or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Bruges because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dublin than Bruges 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 Dublin.

One day in Bruges or Dublin?

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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.

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

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 Dublin. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bruges or Dublin?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the laid-back destination of Dublin. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Dublin. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Dublin. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Dublin. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In the winter, Bruges is much colder than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Dublin. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dublin for the activities around the city.

In April, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Dublin. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 8°C (47°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Dublin. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Bruges