A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brussels vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel. 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. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a religious, historic, and breathtaking island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Brussels and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Brussels and Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Brussels and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Mont-Saint-Michel that are not to be missed. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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.

Is the Food Better in Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Brussels is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Brussels. 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).

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Brussels is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is a great destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel offers some nice hiking trails. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Brussels is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

The abundance of shops in Brussels make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Brussels is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Brussels is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is renowned for romance. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Mont-Saint-Michel is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Brussels is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Brussels is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Brussels is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brussels is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Brussels can get you around easily. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

While Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Brussels and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable city. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Brussels Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Brussels than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

Families should spend more time in Brussels than Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel than Brussels. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mont-Saint-Michel that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brussels than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

When visiting Brussels, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

The beautiful island of Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

When visiting Brussels, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mont-Saint-Michel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel?

When visiting Brussels, people usually allow for lots of time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Brussels is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Brussels and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 12740 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brussels is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Brussels during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brussels in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the museums and the cuisine.

Brussels can be very cold during winter. Brussels is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Brussels usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mont-Saint-Michel. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brussels or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The spring months attract visitors to Brussels because of the activities around the city. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In the spring, Brussels is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Brussels