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

Should you visit Brussels or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne. 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 historic, cosmopolitan, and authentic 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Brussels and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Saint-Etienne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels than Saint-Etienne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brussels is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Brussels is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also well known for La Grand Place (Grote Markt). Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

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

Brussels is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination 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).

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

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

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Saint-Etienne?

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

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

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Brussels is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

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

Brussels is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Brussels is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne 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, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Brussels is top-notch. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Brussels or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Brussels is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Saint-Etienne?

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

Families should spend more time in Brussels than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Brussels is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The city of Saint-Etienne offers museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

Five days in Brussels or Saint-Etienne?

Brussels is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Brussels. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint-Etienne 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Saint-Etienne?

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

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the summer, Brussels is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Saint-Etienne. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Brussels is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

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

In October, Brussels usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brussels or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Brussels. Brussels is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

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

Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brussels in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Brussels is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Brussels usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Brussels