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

Should you visit Bruges or Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny. 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. 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.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a active, ancient, and medieval town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Kilkenny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Kilkenny are both popular with visitors, Bruges has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bruges is more touristy than Kilkenny 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). Kilkenny is popular for its medieval castle and long running history.

How is Bruges different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

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

Both Bruges and Kilkenny 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, Kilkenny makes for a great culinary experience. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Is Bruges or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Bruges and Kilkenny.

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 Kilkenny. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Bruges or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is terrific for its old town. Also, Kilkenny 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.

Many visitors go to Kilkenny to see the historical old town. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Kilkenny?

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

Kilkenny is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Is Bruges or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

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 Kilkenny Better for Couples?

Bruges and Kilkenny both high quality 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.

Kilkenny is a very popular place to visit for couples. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Is Bruges or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

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

Bruges and Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny has a few public transit options. There are city buses through town.

Is Bruges or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Bruges is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Kilkenny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bruges or Kilkenny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bruges than Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny.

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

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

The beautiful city of Bruges offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Kilkenny?

Bruges is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bruges, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny?

Bruges is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Bruges is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the medieval destination of Kilkenny. This town 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bruges and Kilkenny, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. And not only is Kilkenny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kilkenny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kilkenny 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges than you might in Kilkenny.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bruges Expensive? and Is Kilkenny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Kilkenny?

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

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 Kilkenny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Kilkenny. Many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bruges is generally a little warmer than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 15°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 Kilkenny. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Kilkenny. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

Both Kilkenny and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bruges is a little warmer than Kilkenny in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kilkenny. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Kilkenny in the Winter?

Both Kilkenny and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bruges can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bruges is much colder than Kilkenny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kilkenny. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in January than Kilkenny. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Kilkenny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Kilkenny. The spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.

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

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Bruges