A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brussels vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Brussels or Calais?

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 Calais. 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 cosmopolitan, authentic, and colorful 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Brussels and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Calais?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brussels than Calais. Brussels is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brussels is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Calais is more popular for its beaches. Brussels is more touristy than Calais and is known for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. Also, Brussels is famous for La Grand Place (Grote Markt). Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brussels is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Brussels is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Brussels or Calais Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Brussels or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for its beaches. However, Brussels is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Brussels or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Calais?

Brussels is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Brussels or Calais Better for Families?

Brussels is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Brussels is known to be 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Brussels or Calais Better for Couples?

Brussels is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Brussels frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Brussels or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Brussels or Calais Better for Students?

Brussels is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

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

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Brussels has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Brussels or Calais a more walkable city?

Brussels is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brussels and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than in Calais. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Brussels than Calais. 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 Brussels than Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

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 city of Calais offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brussels or Calais?

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.

Calais 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Calais?

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.

Calais 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the multicultural 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.

Calais is a great place to explore. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Calais?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Calais. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Calais. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brussels or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Brussels during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Brussels often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Calais. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Brussels is cooler than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Calais. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brussels or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Calais. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Brussels is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Calais. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Brussels