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

Should you visit Brussels or Fussen?

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 Fussen. 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. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Fussen

Fussen is a charming, picturesque, and quintesential town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Brussels and Fussen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Fussen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Brussels and Fussen are popular destinations, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Fussen attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Fussen is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its romantic atmosphere and its proximity to the Neuschwanstein Castle. 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 Fussen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brussels is great for its historical sights. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Fussen. Most people stopping in town are on their way to or from the Neuschwanstein Castle. It is one of the most famous castles in Germany as many people say it was the inspiration for the Disney Castle.

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

Brussels is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Fussen area. Many restaurants embrace the fairytale setting and offer their own storybook atmosphere. This is a well worn tourist path, so you'll find a number of restaurants serving traditional dishes specifically for the tourists.

Is Brussels or Fussen Better for Nightlife?

Brussels is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Fussen is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Fussen is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Brussels or Fussen Better for its Old Town?

Fussen 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 Fussen is one of the most recognized in the world. The small old town is filled with classic German charm.

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 Brussels or Fussen Better for Hiking?

Fussen is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Fussen. The countryside offers a number of beautiful trails that pass through forests and meadows. You'll also find waterfalls and nice viewpoints. The hikes are very well marked with excellent signage.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Fussen?

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Brussels draws large crowds to its 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.

Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Brussels or Fussen Better for Families?

Brussels is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Brussels is very family-friendly. 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.

Fussen is a family-friendly place to visit. Neuschwanstein Castle is not far away, and it's a big part of why some families may stay in this small town. Kids will also enjoy wandering around the old town and grabbing ice cream. Just outside of town is Lechfall, which is a manmade waterfall and a little further is the Treetop Walkway. The surrounding area also has a lot of natural beauty as well as giant alpine slides.

Is Brussels or Fussen Better for Couples?

Brussels and Fussen both superb destinations for a couple.

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.

Fussen is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It sits at the end of Germany's Romantic Road and the small town does not disappoint. For many, it's a stopover while visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, but the surrounding countryside is also beautiful and worth exploring.

Is Brussels or Fussen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Fussen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. For its small size, the town has a number of hostels to choose from. Prices are reasonable, so this is a nice option for backpackers passing through the area.

Is Brussels or Fussen Better for Students?

Brussels is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Fussen 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.

Fussen is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Fussen is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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

Fussen has a few public transit options. There are buses through the region including buses to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Is Brussels or Fussen a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Fussen on foot is easy. It's easy to walk from one side of the old town to the other in half an hour.

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 Fussen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fussen or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Fussen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brussels and Fussen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than in Fussen. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 2-3 days is enough time in Fussen.

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

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.

Fussen is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Fussen?

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.

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

Five days in Brussels or Fussen?

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.

Fussen 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 Fussen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic 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.

Fussen is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Fussen, we can see that Fussen 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 Fussen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fussen 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 Fussen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Fussen?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Fussen. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Fussen, 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.