A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lagos vs. Bruges for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lagos 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 Lagos 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.

Lagos

Lagos is a vibrant, beautiful, and scenic resort town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, 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.

Lagos and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lagos or Bruges?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lagos than Bruges, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lagos is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Bruges is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Lagos is well known for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Also, Lagos is famous for Ponta da Piedade. Bruges is well known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market.

How is Lagos different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bruges. 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.

Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Lagos and Bruges offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lagos makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

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 Lagos or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Lagos 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 Lagos for the nightlife scene. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

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 Lagos or Bruges Better for Resorts?

Lagos is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Bruges is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Lagos for its luxury resorts. As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

Bruges is not a resort destination.

Is Lagos or Bruges Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bruges is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Lagos. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.

Bruges is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lagos or Bruges Better for Beaches?

Lagos is very popular for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Lagos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Lagos or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, Lagos does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Bruges can be explored in its historical center. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Lagos does not have a historic old town.

Is Lagos or Bruges Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Lagos for the hiking trails. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lagos or Bruges?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bruges and Lagos.

Lagos is a great destination for shopping. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bruges. 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 Lagos or Bruges Better for Families?

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

With a huge array of activities for kids, Lagos is very family-friendly. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

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 Lagos or Bruges Better for Couples?

Lagos is very popular for couples. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Lagos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

Bruges is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Lagos or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos 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 Lagos, as it is a very popular resort town for budget travelers. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other 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.

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

Bruges is a good destination for its public transit. However, Lagos is not particularly known for times when 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

Is Lagos or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is a must-visit destination for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known 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.

Lagos is not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Bruges?

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

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

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

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

One day in Lagos or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lagos. 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, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Lagos or Bruges?

Lagos is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Lagos or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lagos. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bruges is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lagos or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Lagos. This resort town 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When comparing the travel costs between Lagos 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 Lagos Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lagos or Bruges?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos 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 Lagos 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 Lagos or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Lagos during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Bruges. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Bruges. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lagos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Lagos is much warmer than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Bruges. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lagos or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Bruges. Many travelers come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, 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. In the winter, Lagos is much warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lagos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Bruges. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Bruges in the Spring?

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

In April, Lagos is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 28°C (82°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite rainy in Lagos. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Bruges. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Lagos