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

Should you visit Manchester or Bruges?

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 Manchester and Bruges can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Bruges?

You'll generally find more things to do in Manchester than Bruges. Manchester is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Manchester or Bruges.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bruges can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Manchester or Bruges? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Bruges offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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.

Is Manchester or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Manchester 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 Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

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 Manchester or Bruges Better for Music?

Manchester is great for its music scene. However, Bruges is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester draws a good crowd. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Bruges?

Manchester 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 Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester or Bruges Better for Families?

Manchester 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 Manchester. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Bruges Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Bruges are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Bruges is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Bruges Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Bruges has a few 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 Manchester or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is very popular for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Bruges?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges than Manchester 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 Manchester or Bruges?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bruges, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Bruges?

Manchester 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural big city of Manchester. This 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 place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 Manchester and Bruges, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Bruges?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Bruges. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bruges. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bruges because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Manchester is cooler than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bruges. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Bruges. The winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bruges in the winter. The weather in Manchester can be very cold. In the winter, Manchester is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Bruges. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Bruges. The activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty.

In April, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in April than Bruges. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Manchester