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

Should you visit Bruges or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik. 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. 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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Bruges and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Reykjavik are about the same size, Bruges has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bruges is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking. Bruges is more touristy than Reykjavik 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). Reykjavik is well known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Bruges different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bruges can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Bruges. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Bruges or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Bruges or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Bruges or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is very popular for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Reykjavik is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Reykjavik?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bruges and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a great destination for shopping. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Bruges or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Bruges and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Bruges or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Bruges or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Bruges and Reykjavik both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Bruges or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Reykjavik?

In either Bruges or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik.

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Bruges. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Reykjavik?

Bruges is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly destination of Reykjavik. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bruges and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Reykjavik?

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

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bruges is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In October, Bruges is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Bruges is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Bruges during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the spring, Bruges is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Bruges