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

Should you visit Bruges or Ljubljana?

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 Ljubljana. 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, charming, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a under-rated, authentic, and historic capital city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Ljubljana: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Ljubljana?

You'll generally find more things to do in Ljubljana than Bruges. Ljubljana is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Ljubljana is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Ljubljana and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Ljubljana is well known for its small town atmosphere in a big city setting that's filled with culture, architecture, and natural beauty. Also, Ljubljana is famous for The Ljubljana Castle.

How is Bruges different from Ljubljana?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bruges can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Ljubljana offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Because the city is so compact, it's easy to see the notable landmarks with an easy walk. Famous landmarks include Ljubljana Castle, the Dragon Bridge, and the Franciscan Church.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ljubljana. The city is surrounded by nature, so there's easy access to wild fruits and vegetables. It also has a lot of locally made honey and traditional, family run restaurants. Popular dishes include local sausage, pražen krompir (a potato side dish) and Slovenian style fried chicken.

Is Bruges or Ljubljana Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Ljubljana. Given its small size, there are a surprising number of clubs and bars in town. The city has a vibrant energy in the evening, and it's easy to travel from venue to venue on foot.

Is Bruges or Ljubljana Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its old town.

The old town of Bruges is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Ljubljana is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is compact with wondering cobblestone streets and historic landmarks. At the heart of the city is Prešernov trg Square, which is where you'll find several notable buildings and nearby Central Market.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana. The city has several shopping streets where you can find local and international fashion brands. Many people enjoy shopping for crystal and glass products in the city. Also check out the Central Market which has fresh local food products.

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 Ljubljana Better for Families?

Bruges is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Ljubljana is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Ljubljana is not the most family-friendly destination. The city has several good museums including the House of Experiments, which is only open on weekends. There are parks you can explore and it's fun to take the funicular to the castle. You can also take a boat ride which is fun for the whole family.

Is Bruges or Ljubljana Better for Couples?

Bruges is a great city for romance. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its romantic activities.

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.

Ljubljana makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's one of the more under-rated cities in Europe, but there are a number of romantic activities that you can enjoy here. Explore the old town, wander through the botanical gardens, or take a boat ride along the river. All make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Bruges or Ljubljana Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bruges and Ljubljana are great 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 Ljubljana. Although its not as popular as many of the more well known cities, this is an affordable option that is great for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Bruges or Ljubljana Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Ljubljana. If you're looking for a unique study abroad opportunity, the University of Ljubljana offers an excellent academic experience in a a lively small city with easy access to nature.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges and Ljubljana both offer notable 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.

Ljubljana has a few public transit options. There is a city bus system.

Is Bruges or Ljubljana a more walkable city?

Bruges is renowned for its walkability. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its high level of 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.

Ljubljana is a very walkable city. It is compact and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ljubljana or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Ljubljana?

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

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

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.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic 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.

Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic 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 Ljubljana. 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 Ljubljana?

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 charming destination of Ljubljana. This capital 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 Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bruges and Ljubljana, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. And not only is Ljubljana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ljubljana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Ljubljana, 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 Ljubljana?

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 Ljubljana in the Summer?

Both Ljubljana and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ljubljana for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bruges is cooler than Ljubljana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Ljubljana. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Ljubljana during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 260 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. In July, Bruges usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Ljubljana in the Autumn?

Both Ljubljana and Bruges during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ljubljana because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Ljubljana. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 116 hours of full sun.

Ljubljana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bruges usually gets less rain in October than Ljubljana. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Ljubljana in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Ljubljana. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ljubljana this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ljubljana in the winter. The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Bruges is much warmer than Ljubljana in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Ljubljana fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

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

In January, Bruges usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Ljubljana in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Ljubljana. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ljubljana for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bruges is cooler than Ljubljana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ljubljana. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 162 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ljubljana. Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Ljubljana. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ljubljana and Bruges