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

Should you visit Christchurch or Brussels?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Christchurch or Brussels? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Christchurch and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Brussels?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels than Christchurch. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brussels is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Christchurch attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. 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 Christchurch different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brussels and Christchurch. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Christchurch or Brussels?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Christchurch and Brussels.

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Many visitors head to Brussels specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Christchurch or Brussels? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Christchurch and Brussels.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

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).

Is Christchurch or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is well known for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Christchurch is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

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 Christchurch or Brussels Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is well known for its beaches. However, Brussels is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Christchurch for it's beautiful beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is well known for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

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.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Brussels Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Brussels?

Brussels is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Is Christchurch or Brussels Better for Families?

Christchurch is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Christchurch is very family-friendly. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

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.

Is Christchurch or Brussels Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Christchurch and Brussels make for a superb place to visit.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

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 Christchurch or Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch and Brussels are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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.

Is Christchurch or Brussels Better for Students?

Christchurch and Brussels are superb places to visit for students.

Christchurch is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

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.

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

Brussels is terrific for its public transit. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Brussels can take you anywhere. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Christchurch or Brussels a more walkable city?

Christchurch and Brussels both are superb when exploring on foot.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Brussels?

In either Christchurch or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than Christchurch because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

Families should spend more time in Christchurch than Brussels. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Christchurch, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

One day in Christchurch or Brussels?

The city of Christchurch offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Each neighborhood in Brussels has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Christchurch or Brussels?

Christchurch 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Christchurch, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Brussels is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Brussels?

Christchurch 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.

Each neighborhood in Brussels has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Christchurch or Brussels?

Christchurch is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Brussels is a popular place to visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Brussels, 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 Christchurch or Brussels?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Brussels has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Christchurch or Brussels in the Summer?

Both Brussels and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Christchurch is generally around the same temperature as Brusselsin July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Brusselsin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Brussels in the Autumn?

Both Brussels and Christchurch during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

Christchurch is around the same temperature as Brussels in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.

In the autumn, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Brusselsin October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Brusselsin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Brussels in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Brussels. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Brussels. In the winter, Christchurch is much warmer than Brussels. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and Brussels averages at about 3°C (38°F)in January.

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brusselsin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Brussels in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Brussels. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Brussels in the spring for the activities around the city.

In October, Christchurch is generally a little warmer than Brusselsin April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In the spring, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Brusselsin April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Brusselsin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Christchurch