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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Bruges?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Bruges can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a charming, character-filled, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

Bruges

Bruges is a charming, historic, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Bruges?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Bruges, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges is known for its food and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Bruges is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market.

How is Edinburgh different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Edinburgh has many famous sights for visitors. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Bruges offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Bruges Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is great for its shows and theatre. However, Bruges is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Bruges is not a theatre destination.

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

Bruges is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Bruges has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is great for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Edinburgh for the nightlife scene. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bruges Better for Music?

Edinburgh is very popular for its music scene. However, Bruges is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Both Edinburgh and Bruges have fantastic historic old towns worth visiting.

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

The old town of Bruges is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Bruges?

Edinburgh is great for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Bruges is a great destination for 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.

Is Edinburgh or Bruges Better for Families?

Edinburgh is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Edinburgh. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Bruges is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Edinburgh or Bruges Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Bruges are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Bruges frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Edinburgh or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Edinburgh, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bruges. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Bruges Better for Students?

Edinburgh is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Bruges.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Bruges, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Edinburgh or Bruges a more walkable city?

Edinburgh and Bruges are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Bruges. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Bruges. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Bruges?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Bruges. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the ancient destination of Edinburgh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bruges is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Bruges?

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

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 Edinburgh or Bruges in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Bruges. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bruges in the Autumn?

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

In October, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bruges in the Winter?

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

Bruges can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bruges. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bruges in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Edinburgh is cooler than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Bruges. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Edinburgh