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

Should you visit Valencia or Bruges?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia or Bruges, 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.

Valencia

Valencia is a cultural, historic, and architectural coastal city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Valencia and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or Bruges?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valencia than Bruges, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Valencia is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Bruges is known for its quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Valencia and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Valencia is popular for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). It is also home to La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

How is Valencia different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Valencia and Bruges.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Valencia can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

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

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

Eat your way through Valencia, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Valencia or Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Valencia is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Valencia is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

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 Valencia or Bruges Better for Resorts?

Valencia is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Bruges is not a resort destination.

Valencia has a few great resort options. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Bruges is not a resort destination.

Is Valencia or Bruges Better for Beaches?

Valencia is a good destination for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Valencia offers a nice beach destination. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Valencia or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Valencia and Bruges both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Valencia offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Is Valencia or Bruges Better for Hiking?

Valencia is a good destination for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Valencia offers some nice hiking trails. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Bruges is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or Bruges?

Valencia 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 Valencia. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

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 Valencia or Bruges Better for Families?

Valencia 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 Valencia. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

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 Valencia or Bruges Better for Couples?

Valencia and Bruges are both great to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Valencia frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

Bruges is a great coastal 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.

Is Valencia or Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valencia and Bruges are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valencia is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

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.

Is Valencia or Bruges Better for Students?

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

Valencia is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Valencia and Bruges.

You'll find some public transit in Valencia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Valencia or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Bruges on foot is easy. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

Valencia is a very walkable destination. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Valencia and Bruges. In our opinion, Valencia has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Valencia than Bruges. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Valencia, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valencia than Bruges 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 Valencia.

One day in Valencia or Bruges?

Valencia is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Bruges offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Valencia or Bruges?

Valencia 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.

Bruges 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 Bruges, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valencia or Bruges?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valencia. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Bruges 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.

A week in Valencia or Bruges?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Valencia. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bruges 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When comparing the travel costs between Valencia and Bruges, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Valencia or Bruges?

Valencia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Valencia 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 Valencia or Bruges?

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 Valencia or Bruges in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Valencia is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valencia in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the summer, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in July than Bruges. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Bruges in the Autumn?

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

In October, Valencia is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 19°C (66°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valencia usually receives more rain than Bruges. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valencia or Bruges in the Winter?

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

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Valencia is much warmer than Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in January than Bruges. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Bruges in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Valencia is much warmer than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valencia in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during spring. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valencia usually receives less rain than Bruges. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Valencia