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

Should you visit Liverpool 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 Liverpool 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.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a diverse, historic, and fun-filled port city. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

Bruges

Bruges is a charming, historic, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Liverpool and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Liverpool or Bruges?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Liverpool than Bruges, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Liverpool is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and shopping, while Bruges is known for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Liverpool and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Liverpool is popular for its many museums and art galleries, as well as being the hometown of "The Beatles." It is also home to The Liverpool Cathedral.

How is Liverpool different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Liverpool. Popular museums around town include Merseyside Maritime Museum, Victoria Gallery and Museum, and Walker Art Gallery.

Is Liverpool or Bruges Better for Theater?

Liverpool is great for its shows and theatre. However, Bruges is not a theatre destination.

Liverpool offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has a diverse theater scene with major venues showing world renowned productions as well as cozy, local venues with small shows.

Bruges is not a theatre destination.

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

Bruges is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Liverpool is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Liverpool may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are a diversity of flavors that are influenced by the city's international population. There are also several famous local dishes including scouse (a meat stew), toad in the hole (a giant yorkie stuffed with British sausages) and wet nelly (a dessert).

Is Liverpool or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Liverpool 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 Liverpool for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is fun and diverse Head to the waterfront for comedy clubs or the Ropewalks and Seel Street if you want a swanky experience. Cavern Quarter is the place to go for an all night party.

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 Liverpool or Bruges Better for Music?

Liverpool is very popular for its music scene. However, Bruges is not a live music destination.

Liverpool has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Known as the birthplace of the Beatles, the city has been established as a rock and pop capital since the 1950s.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is Liverpool or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Liverpool does not have a historic old town.

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.

Liverpool does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Liverpool or Bruges?

Liverpool 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 Liverpool. Head to Liverpool ONE for the area's best shopping. This is the largest open-air shopping center in the UK and it's filled with a mix of name brands and independent vendors.

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 Liverpool or Bruges Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Liverpool. One of the most popular activities for families is Pleasureland, an amuseument park with rides that are fun for young kids. The city also has many museums and play spaces that are great for families.

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 Liverpool or Bruges Better for Couples?

Bruges is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Liverpool is a good port city for couples to visit. The city is fun, and the best way to enjoy a romantic getaway is to find a fun or unique activity that you can enjoy together. Going dancing, dining out, or seeing a show are all fun activities in the area.

Is Liverpool or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is well known for backpackers. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Liverpool. The city has some fun hostels where you can stay and meet other travelers.

Is Liverpool or Bruges Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Liverpool. The city is diverse, affordable, and offers an excellent academic environment. International students will fill welcomed and enjoy a fun city with a lot to offer.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Liverpool and Bruges.

You'll find some public transit in Liverpool, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are trains, buses, and ferries around the area.

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Liverpool or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Liverpool is a very walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Liverpool?

How long in Liverpool or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Liverpool and Bruges. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Liverpool, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

Couples should spend more time in Bruges than Liverpool. 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 Liverpool 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 Liverpool or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Liverpool. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Liverpool or Bruges?

Liverpool is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Liverpool or Bruges?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Bruges. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Liverpool or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse destination of Liverpool. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bruges is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liverpool and Bruges, we can see that Liverpool is more expensive. And not only is Bruges much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bruges would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bruges 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 Liverpool would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liverpool than you might in Bruges.

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

Which is Bigger, Liverpool or Bruges?

Liverpool has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Liverpool 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 Liverpool 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 Liverpool or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Liverpool during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Liverpool this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Liverpool is cooler than Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Liverpool in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Liverpool often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Liverpool gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bruges. Liverpool gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Liverpool and Bruges. Many travelers come to Liverpool for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Liverpool is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Liverpool average around 12°C (53°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Liverpool usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Liverpool gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Liverpool usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bruges. Liverpool gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Liverpool or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Liverpool as well as Bruges. Many visitors come to Liverpool in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bruges can be very cold during winter. Liverpool is much warmer than Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Liverpool averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Liverpool often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Liverpool gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets more rain in January than Bruges. Liverpool gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges and Liverpool are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Liverpool is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Liverpool in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Liverpool usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during spring. Liverpool gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Liverpool usually receives more rain than Bruges. Liverpool gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Liverpool