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

Should you visit Brussels or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt. 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Brussels travel costs.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a accessible, modern, and connected city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Frankfurt travel costs.

Brussels and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Frankfurt?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brussels than Frankfurt. Brussels is bigger than Frankfurt, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brussels is better known for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Frankfurt is more popular for its nightlife. 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). Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Brussels and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Brussels and Frankfurt.

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. 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).

Frankfurt has a huge number of terrific restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Brussels or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

Frankfurt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Frankfurt?

Brussels is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Brussels specifically to go shopping. 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.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Brussels or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Both Brussels and Frankfurt 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, Frankfurt is very family-friendly. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Is Brussels or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Brussels makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Brussels or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels and Frankfurt are high quality 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.

Many backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Brussels or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is renowned for students. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Brussels and Frankfurt.

Brussels has a great public transit system. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Public transit in Frankfurt is top-notch. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Is Brussels or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Brussels and Frankfurt both are high quality 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Frankfurt?

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

Families should spend more time in Brussels than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt. 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.

One day in Brussels or Frankfurt?

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 city of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Sightseeing Tours in Belgium, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, and The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Frankfurt?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Brussels or Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brussels in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Brussels is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Brussels usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Brussels usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brussels or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Brussels during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Frankfurt can be very cold. Brussels can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Brussels is much warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Brussels often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Frankfurt. The spring months attract visitors to Brussels because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In April, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Brussels usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Brussels