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

Should you visit Bruges or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt. 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 beautiful, historic, and charming city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Bruges. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Bruges different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Both Bruges and Frankfurt offer high quality 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, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Bruges or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Frankfurt for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Bruges offers plenty to see. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Bruges or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bruges and Frankfurt are high quality 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 Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Bruges or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Frankfurt is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bruges and Frankfurt. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Frankfurt than Bruges. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bruges than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Bruges or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful 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 Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Frankfurt?

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

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Bruges is cooler than Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bruges is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Frankfurt can be very cold. Bruges can be very cold during winter. In January, Bruges is generally much warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Bruges during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

Bruges is cooler than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Frankfurt. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Bruges