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

Should you visit The Hague or Brussels?

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 Brussels can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a bustling, diverse, and global city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and nightlife.

Brussels

Brussels is a authentic, colorful, and multicultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

The Hague and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Brussels?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels than The Hague, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brussels is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while The Hague is known for its nightlife and music. Brussels is more touristy than The Hague and is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt). The Hague is popular for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy.

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is The Hague different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brussels 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 Brussels?

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

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

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between The Hague and Brussels 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 Brussels. 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).

Is The Hague or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

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

The Hague is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

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 The Hague or Brussels Better for Music?

The Hague is well known for live music. However, Brussels is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in The Hague. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Brussels is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, The Hague does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

The Hague does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Brussels?

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Brussels. 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.

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

Is The Hague or Brussels Better for Families?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Brussels is a very family-friendly destination. 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 The Hague. 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.

Is The Hague or Brussels Better for Couples?

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

Brussels makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

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 Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels 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.

Brussels is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

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 Brussels Better for Students?

The Hague is renowned for students. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Brussels is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

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

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Brussels is top-notch. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

The Hague has some very good public transit options. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

Is The Hague or Brussels a more walkable city?

Brussels is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

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 Brussels Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brussels or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Brussels?

In either The Hague or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than The Hague because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for The Hague, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

Families should spend more time in Brussels than The Hague. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Brussels than The Hague. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Brussels that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in The Hague or Brussels?

The Hague is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in The Hague or Brussels?

The Hague 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in The Hague, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cosmopolitan big city of Brussels. 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 Brussels?

The Hague 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the colorful city of Brussels. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in The Hague or Brussels?

The Hague is a great place to explore. 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.

Brussels 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 Brussels, we can see that The Hague is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Brussels.

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 Brussels Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of The Hague. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Brussels in the Summer?

Both Brussels and The Hague during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The Hague is around the same temperature as Brussels in the summer. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in The Hague. In the summer, The Hague often gets more sunshine than Brussels. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit The Hague or Brussels in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Brussels. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Brussels during autumn. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, The Hague usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brussels. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit The Hague or Brussels in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Brussels. The winter months attract visitors to The Hague because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. The weather in The Hague can be very cold. In January, The Hague is generally much colder than Brussels. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 2°C (36°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brussels. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Brussels. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Brussels in the Spring?

Both Brussels and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city.

The Hague is cooler than Brussels in the spring. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

The Hague usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brussels during spring. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, The Hague usually receives less rain than Brussels. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brussels and The Hague