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

Should you visit Bruges or Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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 beautiful, historic, and charming city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a park-filled, historic, and accessible city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Potsdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Potsdam?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bruges than Potsdam. While Potsdam is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is more popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Potsdam is known for its small town charm. Bruges is more touristy than Potsdam and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also home to Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Potsdam is popular for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Bruges different from Potsdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Potsdam 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.

Potsdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

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

Both Bruges and Potsdam offer high quality 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, Potsdam makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

Is Bruges or Potsdam Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Bruges and Potsdam.

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 Potsdam. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

Is Bruges or Potsdam Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is very popular for its old town. However, Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

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

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Potsdam?

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

Potsdam is a great destination for shopping. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Is Bruges or Potsdam Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Potsdam are good 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.

Potsdam is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Is Bruges or Potsdam Better for Couples?

Bruges is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Bruges frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Potsdam is a good city for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

Is Bruges or Potsdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is well known for backpackers. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bruges is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

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

Potsdam 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 Potsdam. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

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 Potsdam a more walkable city?

Bruges is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Potsdam is a very walkable destination. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Potsdam or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Potsdam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bruges or Potsdam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bruges than Potsdam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 1-2 days is enough time in Potsdam.

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

In Bruges, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Potsdam. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Potsdam?

In Bruges, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer.

Potsdam 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 Potsdam?

Bruges is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bruges. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Potsdam. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Potsdam?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?

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 Potsdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Potsdam. Many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Potsdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Potsdam. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Potsdam in the Autumn?

Both Potsdam and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bruges is a little warmer than Potsdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Potsdam in the Winter?

Both Potsdam and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Potsdam can be very cold. Bruges can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bruges is much warmer than Potsdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Potsdam averages at about -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in January than Potsdam. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Potsdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Potsdam. The spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.

In April, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 8°C (47°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bruges usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Potsdam. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Bruges