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

Should you visit Geneva or Bruges?

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 Geneva and Bruges. 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.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, cultural, and beautiful city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Bruges?

You'll generally find more things to do in Geneva than Bruges. Geneva is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Geneva is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Geneva and Bruges have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Bruges can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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.

Is Geneva or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Bruges has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. 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 Geneva or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Bruges offers plenty to see. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Bruges?

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

Many people travel to Geneva specifically to go shopping. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

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 Geneva or Bruges Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Bruges are notable family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Bruges offers lots of family activities. 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 Geneva or Bruges Better for Couples?

Bruges is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Bruges Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Geneva is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Geneva has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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.

Is Geneva or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Geneva and Bruges. In our opinion, Bruges has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bruges than Geneva. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Geneva. 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 Geneva. 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Bruges?

Geneva is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Bruges?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bruges 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.

Five days in Geneva or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in Geneva or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Geneva. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Bruges. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Bruges?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

In July, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 22°C (71°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in July than Bruges. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Bruges. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Geneva is a little warmer than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bruges. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Bruges. Many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. In the winter, Geneva is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Geneva in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Bruges. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Bruges in the Spring?

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

In April, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 11°C (53°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Bruges. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Geneva