A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dover vs. Bruges for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Dover or Bruges?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dover and Bruges can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a stunning, natural, and breathtaking town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dover and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Bruges?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bruges. Although Dover and Bruges are popular destinations, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Dover attracts visitors for its hiking. Bruges is more touristy than Dover and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also well known for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Dover is famous for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe.

How is Dover different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dover or Bruges?

Bruges is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Bruges specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

Dover is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Is the Food Better in Dover or Bruges? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bruges is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Bruges is an experience not to be missed. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dover. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

Is Dover or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is very good for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Dover or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Dover does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Bruges is revered around the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Dover does not have a historic old town.

Is Dover or Bruges Better for Hiking?

Dover is great for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dover for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dover or Bruges?

Bruges is very good for its shopping areas. However, Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Bruges to go shopping. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dover or Bruges Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Dover or Bruges.

Dover is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Bruges is a family-friendly town. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Dover or Bruges Better for Couples?

Both Dover and Bruges are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Dover is a very popular place to visit for couples. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

Bruges makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

Is Dover or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bruges is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

Is Dover or Bruges Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bruges is very good for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Bruges has a few public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Dover or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Bruges on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

Dover is somewhat walkable. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

For even more information, also check out Is Dover Worth Visiting? and Is Bruges Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Dover?

How long in Dover or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dover and Bruges. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dover than in Bruges. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dover, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges than Dover 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 Bruges.

One day in Dover or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Dover. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bruges, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dover or Bruges?

Dover is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. 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.

Five days in Dover or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dover. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bruges is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dover or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the stunning destination of Dover. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dover or Bruges?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dover. When comparing the sizes of Dover and Bruges, 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 Dover or Bruges?

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 Dover or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dover as well as Bruges. Many visitors come to Dover in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dover is around the same temperature as Bruges in the summer. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dover this time of the year. In the summer, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in July than Bruges. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Dover are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dover for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bruges because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dover is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dover in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bruges averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Dover usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dover usually receives less rain than Bruges. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dover or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Dover during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Dover because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bruges in the winter. The weather in Dover can be very cold. In January, Dover is generally a little warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 4°C (40°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Dover often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Dover gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in January than Bruges. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Bruges. The natural beauty are the main draw to Dover this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty.

Dover is around the same temperature as Bruges in the spring. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during spring. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dover usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bruges. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Dover