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

Should you visit Bruges or Montpellier?

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 Montpellier. 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, cultural, and beautiful city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a vibrant, bustling, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Bruges and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Montpellier?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montpellier than Bruges. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Montpellier is very popular for its beaches and shopping, while Bruges attracts visitors for its food, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. It is also well known for The Place de la Comédie.

How is Bruges different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Montpellier 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.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Bruges is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Bruges is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Bruges or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Montpellier. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Bruges or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Montpellier for it's beautiful beaches. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the terrific old town areas in both Bruges and Montpellier.

Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

The historic old town of Montpellier is revered around the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Montpellier?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

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 Montpellier Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Montpellier 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.

Montpellier is a family-friendly place to visit. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Bruges or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Bruges and Montpellier both excellent 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.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for couples. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Bruges or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bruges and Montpellier are excellent 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 Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Bruges or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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.

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Montpellier?

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

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Montpellier. 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 Montpellier than Bruges. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Montpellier that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Bruges 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 Montpellier.

One day in Bruges or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Bruges. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

The historic city of Bruges offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bruges. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Montpellier. This 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 in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Montpellier?

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

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Montpellier. The summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

Bruges is cooler than Montpellier in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bruges is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Montpellier averages at about 15°C (60°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In October, Bruges usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montpellier in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in January than Montpellier. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Montpellier. Many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montpellier for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Bruges is cooler than Montpellier in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Bruges