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

Should you visit Bruges or Munich?

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 Munich. 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. 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.

Munich

Munich is a high energy, multicultural, and economically thriving city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Bruges and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Munich?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Munich than Bruges. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Munich is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Munich and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also well known for The Nymphenburg Palace.

How is Bruges different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Munich 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.

Munich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Both Bruges and Munich offer great 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, Munich makes for a great culinary experience. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Bruges or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Munich is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Munich is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Is Bruges or Munich Better for Music?

Munich is very popular for its music scene. However, Bruges is not a live music destination.

Munich has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is Bruges or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Bruges can be explored in its historical center. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Munich?

Munich is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Munich specifically to go shopping. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich Better for Families?

Munich 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 Munich. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich Better for Couples?

Bruges and Munich both great 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.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Bruges or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Bruges or Munich Better for Students?

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

Munich is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Munich is very popular 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.

Munich has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich a more walkable city?

Bruges is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Munich 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.

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Munich?

In either Bruges or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Bruges because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich 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 Munich.

One day in Bruges or Munich?

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

Munich is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Munich?

Bruges 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.

Munich 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 Munich?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bruges or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Bruges. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the economically thriving big city of Munich. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Munich. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bruges is cooler than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Munich. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in July than Munich. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Bruges is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Munich during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Munich. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In January, Bruges is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Munich. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in January than Munich. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Munich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Munich. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city.

Bruges is cooler than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Munich during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Munich. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and Bruges