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

Should you visit Bruges or Rouen?

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 Rouen. 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 cultural, beautiful, and historic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a historical, charming, and compact city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Rouen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Rouen are roughly the same size, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is more touristy than Rouen 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). Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Bruges different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Bruges offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Both Bruges and Rouen offer superb 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, Rouen makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Bruges or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Bruges or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Bruges is revered around the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Rouen?

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

Rouen is a great destination for shopping. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Bruges or Rouen Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Rouen 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.

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Bruges or Rouen Better for Couples?

Bruges and Rouen both superb 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.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Is Bruges or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen a more walkable city?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

Rouen is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bruges or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bruges than Rouen 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 Rouen.

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

In Bruges, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

A weekend in Bruges or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Rouen 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 Rouen?

Bruges is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Rouen. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Rouen?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Bruges during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bruges. In the summer, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Rouen. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Rouen. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bruges or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bruges is cooler than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rouen. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Rouen and Bruges