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

Should you visit Brussels or Mainz?

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 Mainz. 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 multicultural, historic, and cosmopolitan city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a historic, quaint, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Brussels and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Mainz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels than Mainz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brussels is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mainz is known for its impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brussels is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Brussels and Mainz.

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).

Mainz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Brussels or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Brussels is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Brussels. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Brussels or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Brussels and Mainz.

There are many historical things to see 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 explore the old town while visiting Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Mainz?

Brussels is terrific for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Brussels. 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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Brussels or Mainz Better for Families?

Brussels is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Brussels is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Brussels or Mainz Better for Couples?

Brussels and Mainz both very good 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.

Mainz is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Brussels or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Brussels is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Brussels or Mainz Better for Students?

Brussels and Mainz are very good places to visit for students.

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

Mainz is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Brussels is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Brussels can take you anywhere. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Public transit in Mainz can get you to some places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Brussels or Mainz a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored on foot.

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 Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Mainz?

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

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

Each neighborhood in Brussels has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the shopping. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful town of Mainz 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 Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Five days in Brussels or Mainz?

Brussels is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Brussels has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Mainz 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 Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic big city of Brussels. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mainz 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 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Mainz?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Mainz. Most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Mainz because of the family-friendly experiences.

Brussels is around the same temperature as Mainz in the summer. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

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

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

Should I visit Brussels or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In the autumn, Brussels is a little warmer than Mainz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brussels in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Should I visit Brussels or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Brussels during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mainz. It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. In January, Brussels is generally much warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 3°C (38°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

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

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

Should I visit Brussels or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Mainz. Many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the spring for the natural beauty.

Brussels is cooler than Mainz in the spring. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Mainz and Brussels