A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Bruges for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands and Bruges can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a tranquil, natural, and pristine archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Orkney Islands and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Bruges?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bruges. Although Orkney Islands and Bruges are popular destinations, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Orkney Islands attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Bruges is more touristy than Orkney Islands 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). Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Bruges?

Bruges is great for its historical sights. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Bruges specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Orkney Islands is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Orkney Islands and Bruges.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

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 Orkney Islands or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. 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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Bruges Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is great for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Orkney Islands for it's beautiful beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Bruges is one of the most recognized in the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Orkney Islands or Bruges Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is great for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Bruges?

Bruges is very good for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bruges has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Bruges Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Bruges.

Orkney Islands offers lots of family activities. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm 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 Orkney Islands or Bruges Better for Couples?

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

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

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 Orkney Islands or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Orkney Islands and Bruges are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

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

Orkney Islands and Bruges both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

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 Orkney Islands or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is renowned for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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.

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orkney Islands and Bruges. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than in Bruges. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bruges, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Bruges?

Orkney Islands is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bruges is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the serene destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint city of Bruges. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 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 Orkney Islands and Bruges, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Bruges in the summer. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Bruges. Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Bruges. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Orkney Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area 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, Orkney Islands is cooler than Bruges. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orkney Islands in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Bruges averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in October than Bruges. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Bruges. The winter months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the museums 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 Orkney Islands can be very cold. In January, Orkney Islands is generally a little warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 4°C (39°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

Orkney Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Bruges. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Bruges. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Bruges in the spring. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in April than Bruges. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Orkney Islands