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

Should you visit Brussels or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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. 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Brussels and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Brussels than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Brussels, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix is more popular for its hiking. Brussels is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. Also, Brussels is famous for La Grand Place (Grote Markt). Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

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

Brussels has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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).

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Brussels or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Brussels and Phoenix.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Phoenix has a few options to choose from. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Brussels or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Brussels is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Brussels or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Phoenix?

Brussels is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Brussels or Phoenix Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brussels. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Brussels or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Brussels is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Brussels or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Brussels or Phoenix Better for Students?

Brussels is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Visitors in Brussels can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Brussels or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Brussels is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Brussels is a very walkable destination. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Phoenix?

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

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

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 city of Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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.

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

Five days in Brussels or Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Brussels is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Phoenix. The autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Brussels is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Brussels usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brussels or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Phoenix. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. In the winter, Brussels is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city.

In April, Brussels is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Brussels usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Brussels