A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Newcastle upon Tyne vs. Bruges for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne and Bruges can help you decide which place is right for you.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a historical, vibrant, and high energy port city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Newcastle upon Tyne and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bruges than Newcastle upon Tyne. While Newcastle upon Tyne is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Newcastle upon Tyne attracts visitors for its nightlife and shopping. Bruges is more touristy than Newcastle upon Tyne and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also well known for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Newcastle upon Tyne is famous for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene.

How is Newcastle upon Tyne different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Bruges and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Many visitors head to Newcastle upon Tyne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Newcastle upon Tyne and Bruges can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Newcastle upon Tyne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne for the nightlife scene. Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Bruges offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Many visitors go to Newcastle upon Tyne to see the historical old town. Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger Market.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a family-friendly port city. Kids will love visiting the Newcastle Castle, but there are also ropes courses and the Victoria Tunnel Tours. Museum lovers will enjoy a visit to Discovery Museum, the Life Science Center, or Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bruges. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges Better for Couples?

Bruges is a very popular place for couples. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts many romantic walks as well as fine dining restaurants and interesting entertainment options. It's not hard to enjoy a fun date night out on the town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Newcastle upon Tyne. There are a number of hostels to choose from and plenty of entertainment choices so you shouldn't have much trouble meeting other people.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Newcastle upon Tyne. The city has a large student population and a lively nightlife scene, so it's a fun place for students to spend a semester or more.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. There are bus, ferry, and light rail services in the city.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges a more walkable city?

Newcastle upon Tyne and Bruges are first-rate when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Newcastle upon Tyne. The city is one of the most walkable in the UK.

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.

For even more information, also check out Is Newcastle upon Tyne Worth Visiting? and Is Bruges Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Newcastle upon Tyne?

How long in Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Newcastle upon Tyne and Bruges. In our opinion, Newcastle upon Tyne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne than Bruges. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle upon Tyne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bruges, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Many people visit Bruges for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bruges, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle upon Tyne. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

The beautiful destination of Bruges offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bruges. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical 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 Newcastle upon Tyne and Bruges, we can see that Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges?

Newcastle upon Tyne has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle upon Tyne and Bruges. Many visitors come to Newcastle upon Tyne in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Bruges in the summer. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during summer. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Bruges. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Newcastle upon Tyne as well as Bruges. Most visitors come to Newcastle upon Tyne for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bruges because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Bruges. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Bruges averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in October than Bruges. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Newcastle upon Tyne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne can be very cold. In January, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 3°C (38°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during winter. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle upon Tyne. In January, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Bruges. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges and Newcastle upon Tyne during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty.

Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Bruges in the spring. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in April than Bruges. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Newcastle upon Tyne