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

Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, cultural, and beautiful 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.

Rotterdam and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Bruges?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Bruges. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Bruges is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bruges has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Rotterdam or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Bruges?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam or Bruges Better for Families?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam or Bruges Better for Couples?

Bruges is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Rotterdam or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or Bruges Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its 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.

Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Bruges. In our opinion, Bruges has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bruges than Rotterdam. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Bruges than Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Bruges?

Rotterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Bruges?

Rotterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bruges. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Bruges. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Rotterdam or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the trendy big city of Rotterdam. This port 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 choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Bruges, we can see that Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Bruges?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Bruges in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Bruges. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rotterdam. Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Bruges. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Rotterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is cooler than Bruges. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Bruges averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Bruges. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and 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 Rotterdam. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Bruges. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Bruges. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months.

Rotterdam is cooler than Bruges in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in April than Bruges. Rotterdam gets 52 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 Rotterdam