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

Should you visit Bruges or Howth?

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 Howth. 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. 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.

Howth

Howth is a scenic, peaceful, and coastal fishing village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Bruges and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Howth?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Howth are both popular with visitors, Bruges has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bruges is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Howth is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Bruges is more touristy than Howth and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also home to Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Howth is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin.

How is Bruges different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

Bruges is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Howth 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.

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Bruges or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Bruges has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Bruges or Howth Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Howth for it's beautiful beaches. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Howth Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Howth does not have a historic old town.

Bruges offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Bruges or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is great for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Howth for the hiking trails. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Howth?

Bruges is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bruges offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bruges or Howth Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Howth are good 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.

Howth is a family-friendly place to visit. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Bruges or Howth Better for Couples?

Bruges is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Bruges frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Howth is a good city for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Bruges or Howth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is well known for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bruges is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

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

Bruges and Howth 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.

Howth has a few public transit options. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Bruges or Howth a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Howth is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bruges or Howth to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bruges than Howth because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 1-2 days is enough time in Howth.

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

In Bruges, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural 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 food when visiting the destination of Howth. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Howth?

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.

Howth 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 Howth?

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 Howth. 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 Howth?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful 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 food and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Howth. This fishing village 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

When is the best time to visit Bruges or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Howth. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Howth for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Howth. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Howth 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 Howth. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Bruges or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Howth in the autumn for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

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

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

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

Should I visit Bruges or Howth in the Winter?

Both Howth and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bruges is much colder than Howth. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Howth averages at about 6°C (42°F).

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

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

Should I visit Bruges or Howth in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Howth. Most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches and the small town charm.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Howth and Bruges