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

Should you visit Brussels or Giverny?

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 Giverny. 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.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food and museums.

Brussels and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Giverny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Brussels and Giverny are popular destinations, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. 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 Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Brussels and Giverny have superb 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.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Brussels is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny 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 Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Brussels or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Brussels is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Brussels or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is great for its old town. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Giverny?

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Brussels or Giverny Better for Families?

Brussels is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Brussels or Giverny Better for Couples?

Brussels and Giverny 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.

Giverny is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Brussels or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny 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.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Brussels or Giverny Better for Students?

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

Giverny is not popular with students.

Is Brussels or Giverny 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, Giverny 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.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Brussels or Giverny a more walkable city?

Brussels is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Brussels or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Brussels than Giverny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 1-2 days is enough time in Giverny.

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

Because Brussels is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful town of Giverny offers museums and food. 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 Giverny?

Because Brussels is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer.

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

Five days in Brussels or Giverny?

Brussels is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Brussels. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Giverny 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 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Brussels and Giverny, 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 Giverny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Giverny?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 1810 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brussels is around the same temperature as Giverny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Giverny averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Giverny, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Giverny. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Giverny. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Brussels usually receives more rain than Giverny. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brussels or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Giverny. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Giverny can be very cold during winter. Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. Brussels is cooler than Giverny in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Giverny. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Brussels is cooler than Giverny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Giverny averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Brussels usually receives more rain than Giverny. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Brussels