Brussels and Bruges are the two most-visited cities in Belgium, attracting 4.3 million and 2.5 million visitors respectively. Yet these two cities, separated by just 50 miles, offer incredibly different experiences for visitors.
For travelers who might only have time to visit one Belgian city, the Bruges vs. Brussels dilemma weighs heavy. Especially if you’re considering something like a 7-day trip to Netherlands and Belgium, you might only have time to see one of these two cities. Hopefully, after reading this overview of the two, you’ll feel more confident making a decision of which to visit between Brussels vs. Bruges.
Note: I’ve been to Bruges and Brussels twice, so hopefully this being written from the perspective of someone who has experienced the cities can give you some added confidence in answers to important questions about this amazing place!
Bruges vs. Brussels: An Overview
Despite their proximity, Bruges and Brussels vastly differ in size, architecture, and even culture.
Brussels is not just the hub of Belgium. It’s an economic and political hub of Europe, housing the headquarters of the European Commission (EU). While there’s still some traditional Belgian culture in the city, much of it has disappeared over time due to various reasons. It’s an incredibly international city.
Bruges, on the other hand, is a far more typical Belgian city, retaining much of its Flemish feel thanks to how well-preserved the city remains. It’s one of the rare European cities that remained mostly intact throughout World War II. Because of this, visitors get more of an authentic Belgian experience when visiting Bruges compared to Brussels.
Bruges’ Population
Bruges’ total population is 118,509 residents, making it the 8th-largest city in Belgium and the 3rd-largest city in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of north and west Belgium.
Brussels’ Population
The population of Brussels is 188,737, however this number only includes Brussels city proper, a very small portion of the greater Brussels region. The metro population of Brussels is 2.5 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in Belgium.
Things to Do in Bruges vs. Brussels
Both Bruges and Brussels offer a variety of things to do. The magic of Bruges is that you don’t really need an agenda to hit all the places you want to see. It’s so compact that you’ll eventually walk right up to wherever you want to go!
As Brussels is significantly larger than Bruges, there’s more to do in the way of elegant restaurants and nightlife, but there’s still a few sights isolated to Brussels that you can’t get in Bruges.
In my experience, below are some of the best things to do and see in each city.
Things to Do in Bruges
1. Climb to the Top of the Belfry of Bruges
272 feet in the sky soars the Belfry of Bruges, the city’s iconic bell tower that overlooks Market Square. You can walk up the 366 steps that take you to just about the top, and the views are well worth the climb.
2. Eat a Waffle at Chez Albert
There are plenty of waffle cafes and street vendors where you can savor the taste of a famous Belgian waffle, but nothing tops Chez Albert’s. Conveniently located right next to the Belfry of Bruges, you have to save room in your belly for one of these waffles. Make sure to get strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream on top!
3. Explore and Relax in Markt Square
In the heart of the historic center of Bruges lies Markt Square. With the Belfry of Bruges towering over the square and Gothic architecture surrounding it in every direction, you’ll inevitably spend hours hanging out and weaving in and out of the square. It’s as beautiful as it looks in pictures.
4. Visit De Halve Maan Brewery
Belgian beer is my personal favorite, so hitting up a brewery was a must. The Huisbrowerij De Halve Maan is a family-run brewery that provides fantastic beer, food, and displays that reveal how their beer is made. If you don’t like beer, maybe this isn’t for you. Otherwise, it’s in a beautiful part of the city and worth the 1-2-hour visit!
5. Walk Inside Church of Our Lady
Even if you’re not religious, this is a religious site worth seeing for its grandeur. This is a nearly 1000-year-old structure, with renovations throughout the centuries since of course, that is the 3rd-tallest brickwork tower in the world. In fact, it’s even taller than the Belfry Tower. Inside contains illustrious paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries, including Michaelangelo’s Madonna and Child. You can also see painted crypts and the tomb of Charles the Bold (1433-1477), the last Duke of Burgundy.
6. Hang Out in Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay)
This is the most picturesque corner of Bruges. Two of the city’s canals intersect here at what’s called ‘Rosary Quay’, and you can take a seat on top of the bridge and take in the charming setting.
Things to Do in Brussels
1. Spend Time in and Around Grand Place
It’s standard for visiting Brussels, but you truly can’t miss out on taking some time to walk around and hang out in Grand Place, the city’s massive square surrounded by Gothic and Baroque architecture. There’s a massive Christmas tree on display around the holidays, and every other August, an incredible flower carpet is unveiled – designed entirely by volunteers. Most of the top attractions in Brussels are around this square, which makes it a good jumping off spot.
2. Visit Park Du Cinquantenaire
This park isn’t special in terms of size, but rather in grandeur. Designed in the 19th century, this park is home to French-style gardens and a triumphal arch that overlooks the grassy stretches where you can enjoy a lovely picnic or hangout.
3. Have a Drink at Delirium Cafe Brussels
Nowhere in the world has more beers available for tasting than this beer cafe on a side street just off the Grand Place. The aesthetic of the interior is an experience in itself, as its dim lights, wooden barrel seating, and beers hanging down from the ceiling will ensure your experience remains fixated in your mind well after you leave.
4. Visit the Autoworld Museum
Brussels has many museums, but the most colorful experience has to be the Autoworld Museum. Over 250 European and American cars dating all the way back to the 1850s are on display. It’s a must-visit if you’re into vintage cars, but even if you’ve never found much intrigue in vintage cars, its still worthwhile if you’re intrigued at the thought of stepping back in time.
Other Differences Between Brussels and Bruges
Travelers will come away from Brussels and Bruges with much different impressions, but this isn’t just because there’s a vast difference in size. Below are some of the most meaningful differences between Brussels and Bruges.
Authenticity
While Brussels made it out of World War II better off than many European cities, still, 33% of the city’s buildings were destroyed. Bruges, meanwhile, was left nearly entirely unscathed.
Because of this, Bruges’ historic centre looks just as it did 100+ years ago. There are several square miles of cobblestone streets and Gothic buildings, giving the city a much more traditional feel.
While Brussels has a beautiful grand square and several other iconic, well-preserved squares and buildings, there’s a much more modern feel to the city than Bruges. Locals will admit that Brussels has lost much of its charm over the years. This might make Brussels less appealing for visitors hoping to gain a more unique experience.
Culture
You might not realize that Belgium is a true melting pot of a country. There’s a monumental difference between the Flanders region (north and west), Wallonia French-speaking region (central and south), and Wallonia German-speaking region (far east).
Bruges is located in west Flanders, while Brussels actually has its own region encompassing the metropolitan area. The Brussels region is considered bilingual, as a French and Flemish community.
People from Flanders are ‘Flemish’, while people from Wallonia are ‘Walloon.’ Culturally, there’s a significant difference between the two regions. Flanders has historically been wealthier, and because of this, Flemish people are considered more pragmatic than Walloons, who come off more as realists. If you’re traveling around Belgium, you might notice that Flemish cities like Ghent and Bruges have a bit more flair than Walloon cities.
Since Brussels is sandwiched in between the regions, there’s less sense of identity than Bruges. One might appreciate the melting pot that is Brussels, while others might enjoy Bruges’ uniformity.
Language
In Bruges, locals speak Dutch-and they put their own Flemish twist on it. Brussels, however, is a bilingual region, as the official languages are Dutch and French. English is also commonly spoken in both cities.
The language difference means that visitors have quite unique experiences when visiting Bruges or Brussels, which is a very quirky characteristic of Belgium as a whole. In fact, there’s even a tiny sliver of eastern Belgium that speaks German as its first language!
Nightlife
Nightlife in Brussels covers all of the bases. There are techno clubs, R&B clubs, raves, LGBTQ bars and clubs, dance halls, and more. The restaurant and bar scene is what you’d expect for a large city.
Bruges doesn’t have much in the way of clubbing and early morning partying. There are some fantastic restaurants and some bars that stay open late, but generally, Bruges isn’t a city to go to for parties. If you’re looking to party, Brussels is the better option.
Canals
Only one of these two cities boasts canals that weave in and out of the city, and that would be Bruges. Generally, these waterways make Bruges a more scenic visit than Brussels that sticks with you longer as time passes from the end of your visit.
Convenience as a Base Location
There’s no question that Bruges ticks a lot of boxes that Brussels doesn’t, but one thing can’t be denied: Brussels is a better base location for day trippers. Because Brussels is so centrally located within the country and has such exceptional national and international train services, it’s a better hub if your sole focus is day trips to Belgium’s best spots.
However, Bruges is close to Ghent and relatively close to Antwerp, so pairing these two cities for a trip can logistically make a lot of sense. All three of these cities can be easily navigated to and from by train. But if you’re hoping to see Liege, Namur, or southeast Belgium, Brussels will be a better leaping-off point.
Which Is Better, Bruges or Brussels?
In my opinion, Bruges is a much more worthwhile visit than Brussels.
Bruges is an incredibly walkable city with so many sights worth seeing in a compact area. It’s a rewarding visit whether you’re going for a day, a night, or an entire weekend.
Bruges radiates an authentic Belgian feel much more than Brussels, which has become a very international city that’s lost some of its charm. The main square of Brussels is majestic, but once you start wandering a couple blocks from the perimeter, that character disappears quickly. In Bruges, the character emitted from the Market Square extends miles outside of it.
Bruges vs. Brussels FAQs
Which is better, the Bruges or Brussels Christmas market?
The Brussels Christmas Market is much larger and grander than the Bruges Christmas Market. Boasting a huge Christmas tree, Ferris Wheel, and more stalls, the Brussels Christmas Market is more spectacular overall. However, the Christmas experience in Bruges is less crowded and more peaceful, which might appeal to travelers.
Is there a train from Brussels to Bruges?
Yes, there are numerous trains that run from Brussels to Bruges every day. On average, there are 89 trains per day between the two cities, the first leaving around 6:00 a.m. and the last leaving just past midnight.
What is the distance from Brussels to Bruges?
Brussels and Bruges are separated by 95km, or about 60 miles. You can travel to and from the cities via a 1-hour train or 75-minute drive.
Is Bruges a good day trip from Brussels?
Bruges is a perfect day trip if you’re staying in Brussels, but there’s enough to see and do to warrant staying overnight. Bruges is a historic city, with plenty of interesting museums and architecture, along with a beautiful main square that lies at the foot of the Belfry Tower.
