A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Bromo vs. Kamakura for Food, Hiking, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Mount Bromo or Kamakura? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a scenic, spectacular, and breathtaking volcano. You'll find world class beauty in Mount Bromo as well. It's also known for hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Kamakura travel costs.

Mount Bromo and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kamakura. Although Mount Bromo and Kamakura are both popular with visitors, Kamakura has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kamakura is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Mount Bromo is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mount Bromo is popular for its sunrise views and scenic setting. Kamakura is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also home to the Great Buddha.

How is Mount Bromo different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Kamakura offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Mount Bromo or Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kamakura. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Kamakura has something for everybody. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a popular place for its beaches. However, Mount Bromo is not a beach destination.

Kamakura is a good option for a beach vacation. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Mount Bromo is not a beach destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Mount Bromo does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura is a good destination for visiting its old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Mount Bromo does not have a historic old town.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its hiking trails.

Mount Bromo is a popular spot for hiking. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Is the Shopping Better in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

Kamakura is a popular place for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Mount Bromo as well. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mount Bromo or Kamakura.

Mount Bromo offers lots of family activities. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Kamakura is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mount Bromo and Kamakura make for a high quality place to visit.

Mount Bromo is a great volcano if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Mount Bromo and Kamakura are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mount Bromo. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kamakura is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

While Kamakura offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Mount Bromo or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Mount Bromo and Kamakura are good when it comes to walkability.

Mount Bromo is somewhat walkable. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Mount Bromo Worth Visiting? and Is Kamakura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Mount Bromo?

How long in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mount Bromo or Kamakura to fill your time. In our opinion, Kamakura has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kamakura than Mount Bromo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kamakura than Mount Bromo 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 Kamakura.

One day in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

The beautiful volcano of Mount Bromo offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ancient coastal city of Kamakura. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

Mount Bromo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this volcano 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 Mount Bromo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Kamakura. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

Mount Bromo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The ancient coastal city of Kamakura offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Mount Bromo or Kamakura?

Mount Bromo is a great place to explore. 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 volcano offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

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