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

Should you visit Brussels or Toronto?

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 Toronto. 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. See Brussels travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.

Brussels and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Toronto?

Both Toronto and Brussels have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Brussels is more popular for its historical sights, while Toronto is known for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Toronto is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles.

How is Brussels different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Toronto 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 Toronto that are not to be missed. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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 Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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).

Toronto has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is Brussels or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Brussels or Toronto Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Toronto?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Toronto and Brussels.

Brussels is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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.

Known for shopping, Toronto draws large crowds to its stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Is Brussels or Toronto Better for Families?

Both Brussels and Toronto are very good family-friendly destinations.

Brussels is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Toronto is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Brussels or Toronto Better for Couples?

Brussels and Toronto 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.

Toronto is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Is Brussels or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels and Toronto are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Many backpackers visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is Brussels or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is renowned for students. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Toronto is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Brussels and Toronto.

Brussels has a great public transit system. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Public transit in Toronto is top-notch. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Is Brussels or Toronto a more walkable city?

Brussels and Toronto both are very good 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.

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Toronto?

Both Brussels and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Brussels. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Brussels 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 Toronto.

One day in Brussels or Toronto?

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 Toronto offers food and shopping. 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 Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toronto, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brussels or Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Belgium, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

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

Brussels is cooler than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto 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 city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

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

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Brussels usually receives more rain than Toronto. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brussels or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto 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 Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. In January, Brussels is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 3°C (38°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Toronto in the Spring?

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

Brussels is a little warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Brussels usually receives less rain than Toronto. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Brussels