Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Brussels and Barcelona. 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.
Brussels is a multicultural, historic, and cosmopolitan city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Barcelona is a laid-back, historic, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona and Brussels. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Brussels and Barcelona have interesting landmarks and museums for visitors.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Brussels. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts.
The museums and tourist attractions in Barcelona are world-renowned. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music.
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Brussels and Barcelona.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Brussels makes for a great culinary experience. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. Other popular dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).
For foodies, Barcelona is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and Jamon Iberico.
Party-goers will usually choose Barcelona over Brussels.
Barcelona is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.
If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.
Visitors enjoy the old town areas in both Brussels and Barcelona.
There are many historical things to see in the old town of Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.
Barcelona offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Barcelona and Brussels.
Brussels is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.
Known for shopping, Barcelona draws large crowds to its stores. Head to Portal De L’Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.
Both Brussels and Barcelona are family-friendly destinations.
Brussels is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Barcelona is very family-friendly. Check out the Magic Fountains Show near Plaça d’Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. There are also many great parks and playgrounds around town.
Brussels and Barcelona are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers come from all over to visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Barcelona is extremely popular for backpackers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers.
Brussels and Barcelona are comparable places to visit for students.
Many students visit Brussels. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.
Many students frequent Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Brussels and Barcelona.
Brussels has a great public transit system. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus and waterbuses.
Public transit in Barcelona is top-notch. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city.
Brussels and Barcelona both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.
Barcelona is a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than some other major European cities, but there are many plazas and outdoor areas that are fun to explore on foot. The city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.
Both Brussels and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than Brussels.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Brussels is 1-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Barcelona is 3-7 days.
People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
The beautiful city of Barcelona offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. 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.
Barcelona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Barcelona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Barcelona, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Brussels 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.
Barcelona is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Barcelona has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €109, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €123. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Brussels and Barcelona in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Brussels or Barcelona? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Brussels change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
When comparing the travel costs between Brussels and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Barcelona. Most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Brussels is cooler than Barcelona in the summer. The temperature in Brussels is usually 18°C (65°F) in July, and Barcelona stays around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Barcelona. The autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In the autumn, Brussels is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brussels in October are around 12°C (54°F), and Barcelona is about 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets less rain in October than Barcelona. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Barcelona and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. In January, Brussels is generally much colder than Barcelona. Temperatures in Brussels average around 3°C (38°F), and Barcelona stays around 9°C (48°F).
Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Barcelona and Brussels during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Brussels is cooler than Barcelona in the spring. The temperature in Brussels is usually 10°C (49°F) in April, and Barcelona stays around 13°C (55°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Brussels | Barcelona | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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