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

Should you visit Brussels or Bremen?

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 Bremen. 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 authentic, colorful, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bremen

Bremen is a colorful, lively, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brussels and Bremen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Bremen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brussels than Bremen. Brussels is bigger than Bremen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brussels is better known for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Bremen is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Brussels is well known for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. Also, Brussels is famous for La Grand Place (Grote Markt). Bremen is well known for its beautiful historic center and its role as a cultural hub in Germany.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Bremen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Brussels and Bremen have high quality 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.

Bremen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's landmarks are located around the famous Marktplatz. You can tour the Bremen Town Hall or wander around the Medieval Schnoor Quarter. Also make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Peter.

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

Brussels is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bremen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Brussels is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bremen. The food is hearty and filling with many meat heavy dishes. Vegetarians may struggle to find local options. Traditional regional dishes include Kohl und Pinkel (kale and sausage), Labskaus (meat and stew), and fried smelt.

Is Brussels or Bremen Better for Nightlife?

Bremen is well known for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Bremen is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's a variety of evening activities including cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and fine dining restaurants. Head to the Viertel District for some of the most lively clubs.

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.

Is Brussels or Bremen Better for its Old Town?

Bremen 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 Bremen is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is beautiful with its charming streets and beautiful buildings. There's a main market square which is filled with many landmarks and tourist sights.

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 Bremen?

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Bremen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Brussels is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bremen. The city offers a mix of historic shopping areas and large shopping malls. Some of the biggest shopping malls include Karstadt Bremen, Lloyd Passage, and Weserpark.

Is Brussels or Bremen Better for Families?

Both Brussels and Bremen are high quality 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, Bremen is very family-friendly. Kids will appreciate a Sunday visit to the Bremen Town Musicians play which performs popular fairy tales. If the season isn't right, there are many other kid-friendly activities around town including Bürgerpark, the puppet theater, or visiting the beach at Café Sand. Popular museums in town for kids include Universum and Bremer Geschichtenhaus.

Is Brussels or Bremen Better for Couples?

Brussels is notable for couples. Also, Bremen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Brussels is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Bremen is a nice destination for couples. From its beautiful old town to its many great restaurants and shopping streets, couples will enjoy a romantic trip away in this beautiful city.

Is Brussels or Bremen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is notable for backpackers. Also, Bremen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Brussels is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bremen. Backpackers love the old town and lively atmosphere. There are enough tourists around that you'll find a decent social scene and the atmosphere makes for a great visit.

Is Brussels or Bremen Better for Students?

Brussels is notable for students. However, Bremen is not popular with students.

Brussels is very popular with students. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Bremen is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bremen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Brussels is top-notch. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bremen. The city has both trams and buses that offer easy accessibility to most of the tourist areas.

Is Brussels or Bremen a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Bremen on foot is easy. It's one of the most walkable cities in Europe.

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 Bremen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bremen or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Bremen?

It's fun to spend time in either Brussels or Bremen. 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 Bremen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brussels than Bremen 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 Bremen?

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 beautiful city of Bremen 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 Bremen?

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.

Bremen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city 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 Bremen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Bremen?

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.

Bremen is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Bremen?

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.

Bremen is a great place to explore. 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 city 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 Music Tours in Germany, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Brussels and Bremen, we can see that Bremen 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is Bremen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Bremen?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Bremen. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Bremen, 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 Bremen?

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 Bremen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Bremen. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bremen in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Bremen. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Bremen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Brussels usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Bremen. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brussels or Bremen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Bremen. Many visitors come to Brussels in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Bremen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Brussels is a little warmer than Bremen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Bremen fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Brussels often gets more sunshine than Bremen. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 100 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in October than Bremen. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Bremen in the Winter?

Both Bremen and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bremen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bremen can be very cold. Brussels can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Brussels is much warmer than Bremen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bremen averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Brussels usually receives more sunshine than Bremen during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Bremen. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brussels or Bremen in the Spring?

Both Bremen and Brussels during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Brussels because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bremen this time of year.

In April, Brussels is generally a little warmer than Bremen. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Bremen fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Brussels often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 153 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Bremen. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bremen and Brussels