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

Should you visit Brussels or Rouen?

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 Rouen. 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a historical, charming, and compact city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brussels and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels than Rouen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brussels is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Rouen attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. 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). Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brussels is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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 Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Brussels and Rouen.

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).

Rouen has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Brussels or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Rouen has a few options to choose from. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Brussels or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town 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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Rouen?

Brussels is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Brussels or Rouen Better for Families?

Brussels is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Brussels or Rouen Better for Couples?

Brussels and Rouen 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.

Rouen is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Is Brussels or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Brussels or Rouen Better for Students?

Brussels is notable for students. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

The public transit in Rouen can get you to most places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

Is Brussels or Rouen a more walkable city?

Brussels and Rouen both are superb 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.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Rouen?

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

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

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 city of Rouen 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 Rouen?

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.

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

Five days in Brussels or Rouen?

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.

Rouen 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 Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic 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.

Rouen 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Rouen, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Rouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rouen 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels than you might in Rouen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Rouen?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Rouen. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brussels is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Rouen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Rouen. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brussels or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Rouen. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Rouen. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rouen. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. Brussels is cooler than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Rouen. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brussels or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Brussels during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Brussels is around the same temperature as Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Rouen. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Brussels