A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Bruges for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit The Hague 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 The Hague and Bruges can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a diverse, global, and international city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming 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.

The Hague and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Bruges?

You'll generally find more things to do in The Hague than Bruges. The Hague is bigger than Bruges, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. The Hague is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than The Hague and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. The Hague is well known for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. Also, The Hague is famous for The Peace Palace.

How is The Hague different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Bruges?

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in The Hague. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

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 The Hague or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

The Hague 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 The Hague for the nightlife scene. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

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 The Hague or Bruges Better for Music?

The Hague is great for its music scene. However, Bruges is not a live music destination.

The music scene in The Hague draws a good crowd. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Bruges is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, The Hague 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.

The Hague does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Bruges?

The Hague 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 The Hague. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

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 The Hague or Bruges Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either The Hague or Bruges.

The Hague is a family-friendly city. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

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 The Hague or Bruges Better for Couples?

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

The Hague makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Is The Hague or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, The Hague 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit The Hague. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

Is The Hague or Bruges Better for Students?

The Hague is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

The Hague is a very popular place to visit for students. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

The Hague 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 The Hague. There are bus and tram lines throughout 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 The Hague or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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.

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both The Hague and Bruges. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than The Hague. 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 The Hague. 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Bruges?

The Hague 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 The Hague or Bruges?

The Hague 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 historic 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 The Hague or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in The Hague. 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 beautiful 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 The Hague or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the international big city of The Hague. This 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 Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples 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 The Hague and Bruges, we can see that The Hague 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Bruges?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Bruges. Many visitors come to The Hague in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, The Hague is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 17°C (62°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In The Hague, it's very sunny this time of the year. The Hague usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during summer. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, The Hague usually receives more rain than Bruges. The Hague 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 The Hague or Bruges in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Bruges. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bruges because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

The Hague is cooler than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

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

The Hague usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. The Hague 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 The Hague or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to The Hague because of 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 The Hague can be very cold. In the winter, The Hague is much colder than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in The Hague in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

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

In January, The Hague usually receives more rain than Bruges. The Hague 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 The Hague or Bruges in the Spring?

Both Bruges and The Hague during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the natural beauty.

In April, The Hague is generally cooler than Bruges. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 8°C (46°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

The Hague usually gets more rain in April than Bruges. The Hague 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 The Hague