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

Should you visit Bruges or Oslo?

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 Oslo. 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a progressive, park-filled, and green city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Oslo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Oslo than Bruges. Oslo is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Oslo is better known for its big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Oslo and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Also, Oslo is famous for The Royal Palace.

How is Bruges different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

Bruges is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Bruges or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Bruges or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Bruges offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Oslo?

Bruges is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Bruges or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo Better for Couples?

Bruges is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bruges is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Bruges or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is notable for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Bruges or Oslo Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Oslo 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.

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Bruges on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Oslo?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Bruges than Oslo. 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 Oslo 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 Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Oslo?

Bruges is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Oslo 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 Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bruges. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Oslo. 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 Oslo?

The cultural city of Bruges offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the clean big city of Oslo. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Bruges during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bruges is around the same temperature as Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Oslo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bruges. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Oslo. 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 Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bruges is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives less rain than Oslo. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Oslo. 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 Oslo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Bruges is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bruges is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Bruges