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

Should you visit Granada or Bruges?

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

Should I visit Granada or Bruges? 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.

Granada

Granada is a cultural, historic, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Bruges

Bruges is a cultural, beautiful, and historic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Bruges?

You'll generally find more things to do in Granada than Bruges. Granada is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Granada is better known for its museums, nightlife, and hiking, while Bruges is more popular for its food and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Granada and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Granada is well known for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Also, Granada is famous for The Alhambra.

How is Granada different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Granada 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, Granada has many famous sights for visitors. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

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 Granada or Bruges? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Bruges. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Granada 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 Granada for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

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 Granada or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Granada and Bruges.

The historic old town of Granada is revered around the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

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.

Is Granada or Bruges Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Granada for the hiking trails. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Bruges?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Granada and Bruges.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Bruges offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Granada or Bruges Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Bruges.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bruges. 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 Granada or Bruges Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Bruges make for a superb place to visit.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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 Granada or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada and Bruges are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Bruges is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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 Granada or Bruges Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Granada. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Granada and Bruges.

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

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 Granada or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Granada is a very walkable city. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Granada?

How long in Granada or Bruges?

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

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

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

One day in Granada or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Granada. 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, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Granada or Bruges?

Granada is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

In Bruges, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Granada. This city 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bruges. 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Granada and Bruges, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Bruges?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Bruges. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Granada is generally a little warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during summer. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Bruges. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Granada as well as Bruges. The autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

Granada is much warmer than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the autumn, Granada often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. In the winter, Granada is much warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during winter. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Granada usually receives more rain than Bruges. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges and Granada during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Granada is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. In the spring, Granada often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in April than Bruges. Granada 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 Granada