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

Should you visit Linz or Bruges?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Linz and Bruges can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Linz

Linz is a cultural, historic, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Bruges

Bruges is a charming, historic, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Linz and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Bruges?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bruges than Linz. While Linz is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Linz is known for its shopping. Bruges is more touristy than Linz and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also home to Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Linz is popular for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries.

How is Linz different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Linz and Bruges.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Linz. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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.

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

Bruges is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Linz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Linz or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Linz or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Bruges is revered around the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Bruges?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

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 Linz or Bruges Better for Families?

Both Linz and Bruges are good to visit with kids.

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Bruges is a family-friendly town. 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 Linz or Bruges Better for Couples?

Both Linz and Bruges are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Linz is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Bruges makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Linz or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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

Both Linz and Bruges offer good public transit options.

Linz has a few public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Bruges has some 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 Linz or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Linz is a very walkable destination. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Linz?

How long in Linz or Bruges?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Linz. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Linz or Bruges?

Linz 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.

Bruges is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Linz or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Linz. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Bruges. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Linz or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Linz. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The historic city of Bruges offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Linz or Bruges?

Linz has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Linz 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 Linz 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 Linz or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Linz as well as Bruges. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Linz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Linz is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Linz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Linz this time of the year. In the summer, Linz often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Linz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets more rain in July than Bruges. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Linz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Linz is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 11°C (52°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Linz usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Linz gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Linz usually receives less rain than Bruges. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Linz or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Linz during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Linz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bruges can be very cold during winter. Linz can get quite cold in the winter. Linz is much colder than Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Linz averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Linz often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Linz gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets less rain in January than Bruges. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Bruges. Most visitors come to Linz for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Linz is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Linz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Linz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during spring. Linz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Linz usually receives more rain than Bruges. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Linz