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

Should you visit Bruges or Dusseldorf?

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 Dusseldorf. 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. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a vibrant, historic, and fun-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 Dusseldorf: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Dusseldorf?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dusseldorf than Bruges. Dusseldorf is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dusseldorf is better known for its big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Dusseldorf and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Dusseldorf is well known for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany. Also, Dusseldorf is famous for Altstadt (the Old Town).

How is Bruges different from Dusseldorf?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Dusseldorf offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

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

Both Bruges and Dusseldorf 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, Dusseldorf makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

Is Bruges or Dusseldorf Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Dusseldorf. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

Is Bruges or Dusseldorf Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dusseldorf. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Dusseldorf?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bruges and Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf is a great destination for shopping. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Is Bruges or Dusseldorf Better for Families?

Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

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 Dusseldorf Better for Couples?

Bruges and Dusseldorf both excellent 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.

Dusseldorf is a very popular place to visit for couples. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

Is Bruges or Dusseldorf Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dusseldorf. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

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

Dusseldorf is very popular 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.

Dusseldorf has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

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 Dusseldorf a more walkable city?

Bruges is very popular for its walkability. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Dusseldorf is a very walkable city. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dusseldorf or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Dusseldorf?

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bruges, one day is sufficent for most.

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf?

Bruges, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Bruges is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Dusseldorf. 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 Munich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Dusseldorf?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Dusseldorf, 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 Dusseldorf?

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 Dusseldorf in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Dusseldorf. The summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 195 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in July than Dusseldorf. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Dusseldorf in the Autumn?

Both Dusseldorf and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Dusseldorf. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Dusseldorf in the Winter?

Both Dusseldorf and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dusseldorf can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. Bruges is a little warmer than Dusseldorf in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 45 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in January than Dusseldorf. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Dusseldorf in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Dusseldorf. Many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dusseldorf for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Bruges is around the same temperature as Dusseldorf. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Dusseldorf averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Dusseldorf and Bruges