A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Brussels for Old Town, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Tallinn or Brussels?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Brussels, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a quaint, whimsical, and historical city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brussels

Brussels is a colorful, multicultural, and historic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Brussels?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels than Tallinn. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brussels is very popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Tallinn attracts visitors for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Tallinn is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. Brussels is famous for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also well known for La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Tallinn different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallinn or Brussels?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Tallinn and Brussels.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Brussels. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

Is the Food Better in Tallinn or Brussels? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Brussels is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Brussels has a huge number of terrific restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Tallinn area. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

Is Tallinn or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Tallinn is well known for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Tallinn is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Tallinn or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The old town of Tallinn is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Brussels?

Brussels is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Brussels draws large crowds to its stores. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Tallinn. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

Is Tallinn or Brussels Better for Families?

Brussels is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Brussels is very family-friendly. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Tallinn. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

Is Tallinn or Brussels Better for Couples?

Tallinn and Brussels are both great to visit as a couple.

Tallinn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

Couples visit Brussels frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Is Tallinn or Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is renowned for backpackers. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tallinn is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

Many backpackers visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

Is Tallinn or Brussels Better for Students?

Brussels is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Brussels is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Is Tallinn or Brussels Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brussels is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Brussels has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

The public transit in Tallinn can get you to most places easily. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

Is Tallinn or Brussels a more walkable city?

Tallinn is renowned for its walkability. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Tallinn on foot is easy. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

Brussels is a very walkable city. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Brussels Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Brussels?

In either Tallinn or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than Tallinn because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tallinn than Brussels 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 Tallinn.

One day in Tallinn or Brussels?

The beautiful city of Tallinn offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Because Brussels is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Tallinn or Brussels?

Tallinn is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tallinn, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Because Brussels is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Brussels?

Tallinn 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.

Brussels is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or Brussels?

Tallinn is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Brussels. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tallinn. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn and Brussels, 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 Tallinn or Brussels?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tallinn or Brussels in the Summer?

Both Brussels and Tallinn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Brussels in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tallinn is generally cooler than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 17°C (62°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Tallinn. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Brussels. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Brussels in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Brussels. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Tallinn is much colder than Brussels in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Brussels fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Brussels during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brussels. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Brussels in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Brussels. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Brussels because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Brussels can be very cold. Tallinn can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tallinn is much colder than Brussels. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tallinn in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Brussels averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Brussels. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Brussels. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Brussels in the Spring?

Both Brussels and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

The weather in Tallinn can be very cold. In April, Tallinn is generally much colder than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 4°C (39°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Brussels. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Tallinn