A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Brussels for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Interlaken or Brussels?

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 Interlaken and Brussels can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, food, and hiking.

Brussels

Brussels is a authentic, colorful, and multicultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Interlaken and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Brussels?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels. Although Interlaken and Brussels are both popular with visitors, Brussels has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Brussels is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. 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 Interlaken different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Brussels Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for winter skiing. However, Brussels is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Brussels is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Interlaken or Brussels?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Brussels specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Interlaken or Brussels? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Brussels both to be high quality destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Brussels. 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 Interlaken or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Brussels is very good for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Brussels. 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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Brussels Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Interlaken is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Brussels?

Brussels is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Brussels. 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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Brussels Better for Families?

Interlaken is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Interlaken is very family-friendly. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Brussels is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Interlaken or Brussels Better for Couples?

Interlaken is renowned for romance. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

Brussels is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Interlaken or Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Brussels is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

Is Interlaken or Brussels Better for Students?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Brussels is very popular with students. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Brussels can get you around easily. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Interlaken has some very good public transit options. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Is Interlaken or Brussels a more walkable city?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Interlaken Worth Visiting? and Is Brussels Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Brussels?

In either Interlaken or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Brussels has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Brussels than Interlaken. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brussels than Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Brussels?

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When visiting Brussels, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Brussels, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Interlaken or Brussels?

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Brussels, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Interlaken or Brussels?

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Brussels, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Brussels?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Brussels is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Brussels?

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 Interlaken or Brussels in the Summer?

Both Brussels and Interlaken during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Brussels in the summer. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Interlaken. In the summer, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Brussels. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Brussels in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Brussels. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Brussels. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Interlaken in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Brussels averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brussels during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brussels. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Brussels in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Brussels. The winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. In January, Interlaken is generally around the same temperature as Brussels. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 3°C (37°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in January than Brussels. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Brussels in the Spring?

Both Brussels and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city.

Interlaken is a little warmer than Brussels in the spring. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brussels during spring. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Brussels. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Interlaken