A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bruges vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bruges or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne. 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, cultural, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Bruges and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Saint-Etienne?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bruges than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bruges is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Bruges is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also home to Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Bruges different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Bruges is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Bruges or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bruges is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bruges has a huge number of terrific 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Bruges or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Bruges and Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Bruges or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Bruges or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Saint-Etienne?

Bruges is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bruges. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Bruges or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Bruges or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Bruges is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Bruges or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Bruges and Saint-Etienne both offer good 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.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Bruges or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Saint-Etienne?

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

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bruges. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

A weekend in Bruges or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Bruges. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the industrial destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Bruges and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In July, Bruges is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Bruges during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bruges is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Saint-Etienne. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. In the winter, Bruges is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bruges in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Saint-Etienne. Many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Bruges is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 8°C (47°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Bruges