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

Should you visit Bruges or Mainz?

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 Mainz. 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 charming, historic, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a historic, quaint, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Bruges and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Mainz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bruges than Mainz. While Mainz is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bruges is more touristy than Mainz and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Also, Bruges is famous for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Mainz is well known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares.

How is Bruges different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Both Bruges and Mainz offer very good 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, Mainz makes for a great culinary experience. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Bruges or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Bruges or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is terrific for its historic old town. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Mainz?

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

Mainz is a great destination for shopping. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Bruges or Mainz Better for Families?

Bruges is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Bruges is a family-friendly city. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Bruges or Mainz Better for Couples?

Bruges and Mainz both very good 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.

Mainz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Bruges or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Bruges is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Bruges or Mainz Better for Students?

Mainz is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Many students visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Mainz is great 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Mainz. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

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 Mainz a more walkable city?

Bruges and Mainz are fantastic when it comes to 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.

It is easy to get around Mainz on foot. The town is easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Bruges or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

In Bruges, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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 shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Mainz?

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.

Mainz 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz. 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 Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming 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 shopping and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Mainz. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Mainz. Most visitors come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Mainz because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bruges is around the same temperature as Mainz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Mainz averages at about 19°C (66°F).

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

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

Should I visit Bruges or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Mainz. The autumn months attract visitors to Bruges because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In October, Bruges is generally a little warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Should I visit Bruges or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mainz. It's quite cold in Bruges in the winter. Bruges is much warmer than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

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

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

Should I visit Bruges or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Bruges during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bruges is cooler than Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Mainz and Bruges