A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Outer Hebrides vs. Bruges for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Bruges. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a natural, tranquil, and serene archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, cultural, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Outer Hebrides and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bruges than Outer Hebrides, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bruges is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Outer Hebrides is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Bruges is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Also, Bruges is famous for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Outer Hebrides is well known for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

Bruges is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Outer Hebrides and Bruges can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Outer Hebrides. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

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 Outer Hebrides or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is a good destination for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Bruges Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is great for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Outer Hebrides for it's beautiful beaches. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Outer Hebrides 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.

Outer Hebrides does not have a historic old town.

Is Outer Hebrides or Bruges Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is very popular for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Outer Hebrides is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

Bruges is a good destination for shopping. However, Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bruges. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Bruges Better for Families?

Both Outer Hebrides and Bruges are notable family-friendly destinations.

Outer Hebrides is a family-friendly archipelago. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

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 Outer Hebrides or Bruges Better for Couples?

Outer Hebrides and Bruges both excellent destinations for a couple.

Outer Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

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.

Is Outer Hebrides or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

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

Bruges is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Bruges has some 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Is Outer Hebrides or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Outer Hebrides and Bruges. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than in Bruges. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

Outer Hebrides is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Outer Hebrides. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Outer Hebrides or Bruges?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the spectacular destination of Outer Hebrides. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples 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 Outer Hebrides and Bruges, we can see that Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Bruges. The summer months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

In July, Outer Hebrides is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 13°C (55°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during summer. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Bruges. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Bruges. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Outer Hebrides this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in October than Bruges. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Outer Hebrides for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Outer Hebrides. In the winter, Outer Hebrides is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Outer Hebrides in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Bruges during winter. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Outer Hebrides. In January, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Bruges. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges and Outer Hebrides during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Outer Hebrides is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 7°C (44°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Outer Hebrides often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in April than Bruges. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Outer Hebrides