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

Should you visit Bruges or Limerick?

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 Limerick. 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Limerick

Limerick is a fun-filled, historic, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Limerick: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Limerick?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bruges than Limerick. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bruges is more touristy than Limerick and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also well known for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Limerick is famous for its castle, old town, and outdoor activities.

How is Bruges different from Limerick?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Bruges specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Limerick is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The town is famous for King John's Castle as well as St. Mary's Cathedral, and St. John's Square and Cathedral.

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

Bruges is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Limerick offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a mix of traditional Irish restaurants and more modern international cuisine. Local specialties to try include Limerick Ham, Cahill's Whiskey Cheese, and Walnut Cheddar.

Is Bruges or Limerick Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Bruges and Limerick.

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 Limerick. It's a student town so much of the nightlife scene centers around the student population. There are lively pubs and clubs around town so it's not hard to have a fun night out.

Is Bruges or Limerick Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Limerick does not have a historic old town.

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.

Limerick does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Limerick?

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

Limerick is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of brand name chains and independent boutiques in the city center. There are several major shopping streets in town including O'Connell Street, and the pedestrian streets of Bedford Row and Cruises Street.

Is Bruges or Limerick Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Limerick are nice 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.

Limerick is a family-friendly place to visit. Families will enjoy visiting King John's Castle but for kids who need a break from the sightseeing, there are kid-friendly activities around town like Curraghchase Forest Park and the Peoples Park. Families should also check out the Dreamland Fun Center. Museums like Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum are also fun for the whole family.

Is Bruges or Limerick Better for Couples?

Bruges is a great city for couples. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Limerick is a nice destination for couples. There are river cruises, kayaking, and nature to explore. Head to the Curraghchase Forest Park or any of the many beautiful parks around town. Couples can combine history with nature and enjoy a nice, romantic trip through Limerick.

Is Bruges or Limerick Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Limerick is not known for backpackers.

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.

Limerick is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in the area so it can be hard to find other likeminded travelers.

Is Bruges or Limerick Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Limerick. The city has a nice student scene with plenty of areas to explore.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges and Limerick both offer nice 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.

Limerick has a few public transit options. There's a city bus service that travels around town.

Is Bruges or Limerick a more walkable city?

Bruges is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Limerick is somewhat walkable. There are compact and walkable parts to the city that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Limerick or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Limerick?

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

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

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 Limerick. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Limerick?

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.

Limerick 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 Limerick?

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 Limerick. 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 Limerick?

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 fun-filled destination of Limerick. 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 2-Week Tours from Dublin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Limerick?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Limerick. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Limerick, 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 Limerick?

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 Limerick in the Summer?

Both Limerick and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Limerick in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Limerick in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Limerick fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Limerick during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Limerick receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Limerick. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Limerick in the Autumn?

Both Limerick and Bruges during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Limerick for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Bruges is around the same temperature as Limerick. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Limerick averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Limerick. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Limerick receives 82 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in October than Limerick. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Limerick in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Limerick. Most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Limerick because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bruges can be very cold during winter. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Limerick. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Limerick fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Limerick during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Limerick receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives less rain than Limerick. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Limerick in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Limerick. The spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Limerick this time of year.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Limerick in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Limerick fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Limerick. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Limerick receives 148 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Limerick. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Limerick and Bruges