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

Should you visit Brussels or Beaune?

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 Brussels and Beaune. 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

Brussels is a historic, cosmopolitan, and authentic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beaune

Beaune is a culinary, quaint, and vineyard-filled town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brussels and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Beaune?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Brussels and Beaune are popular destinations, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Beaune attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and small town charm. Beaune is more touristy than Brussels and is known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. Brussels is famous for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also well known for La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaune and Brussels. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brussels or Beaune?

Both Brussels and Beaune have excellent 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 city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

Beaune offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Is the Food Better in Brussels or Beaune? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaune is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Beaune, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

Brussels has a huge number of terrific restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Is Brussels or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Brussels and Beaune.

Brussels has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Brussels or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Beaune is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The old town of Beaune is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Beaune?

Brussels is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Brussels make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Brussels or Beaune Better for Families?

Brussels is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Brussels is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Beaune offers lots of family activities. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Brussels or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is renowned for romance. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Beaune is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Brussels is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Is Brussels or Beaune Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is a great destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Brussels is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

Is Brussels or Beaune Better for Students?

Brussels is a great destination for students. However, Beaune is not popular with 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.

Beaune is not popular with students.

Is Brussels or Beaune Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brussels is terrific for its public transit. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Brussels can take you anywhere. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

While Beaune offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Brussels or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is renowned for its walkability. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Beaune on foot is easy. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Brussels is a very walkable city. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Brussels Worth Visiting? and Is Beaune Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Brussels or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Brussels due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.

Families should spend more time in Brussels than Beaune. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Brussels, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Beaune than Brussels. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaune that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brussels than Beaune 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 Brussels.

One day in Brussels or Beaune?

Brussels is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Beaune offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Brussels or Beaune?

Brussels is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

Beaune is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beaune, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Beaune is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brussels or Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Brussels. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Beaune is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. This town offers something for everyone.

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Beaune, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune than you might in Brussels.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is Beaune Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Beaune?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Beaune, 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 Brussels or Beaune?

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 Brussels or Beaune in the Summer?

Both Beaune and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In the summer, Brussels is cooler than Beaune. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Beaune averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Beaune. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Beaune during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Beaune. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brussels or Beaune in the Autumn?

Both Beaune and Brussels during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beaune for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Beaune. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Brussels often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in October than Beaune. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Beaune in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Beaune. Many travelers come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaune in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beaune can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Brussels. Brussels is around the same temperature as Beaune in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Beaune fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Beaune during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Beaune. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brussels or Beaune in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Beaune. Many visitors come to Brussels in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Beaune for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Brussels is cooler than Beaune. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Beaune averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Beaune. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Beaune. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Brussels