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

Should you visit Geneva or Brussels?

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 Brussels. 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 professional, classy, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brussels

Brussels is a historic, cosmopolitan, and authentic 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.

Geneva and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Brussels?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels than Geneva, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brussels is more popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Geneva is known for its impressive beauty. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Geneva different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Geneva and Brussels 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.

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 Geneva or Brussels? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Brussels 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.

Brussels has a huge number of terrific 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 Geneva or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Brussels 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 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 Geneva or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

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 Brussels?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Brussels and Geneva.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Known for shopping, Brussels draws large crowds to its 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.

Is Geneva or Brussels Better for Families?

Brussels is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Geneva or Brussels Better for Couples?

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

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.

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 Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels 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 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.

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 Brussels Better for Students?

Geneva and Brussels are excellent places to visit for 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.

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

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

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Brussels has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Is Geneva or Brussels a more walkable city?

Geneva and Brussels both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Brussels is a very walkable city. 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 Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Brussels Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Brussels?

In either Geneva or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than Geneva because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

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

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

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

One day in Geneva or Brussels?

Geneva is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Brussels. 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 Brussels?

Geneva 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Geneva, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Brussels 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.

Five days in Geneva or Brussels?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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.

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

A week in Geneva or Brussels?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Brussels. 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 Brussels, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Brussels.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva or Brussels?

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 Geneva or Brussels in the Summer?

Both Brussels and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

Geneva is a little warmer than Brussels in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives less rain than Brussels. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Brussels in the Autumn?

Both Brussels and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Geneva is a little warmer than Brussels. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Brussels averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in October than Brussels. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Brussels in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Brussels. Many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Brussels. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Brussels in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Brussels. Many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months.

Geneva is a little warmer than Brussels in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Brussels. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Geneva