Comparison · Antwerp vs Bruges · Belgium
Antwerp vs Bruges
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Antwerp for Rubens and Diamonds; choose Bruges for Canals and Belfry. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 82 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 82 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Antwerp
- May–September
- Best time for Bruges
- April–June and September
Side by side
| Antwerp | Bruges | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Belgium | Belgium |
| Known for | Rubens, Diamonds and Fashion | Canals, Belfry and Medieval architecture |
| Best time to visit | May–September | April–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 2 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$300 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 24°C (75°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 6°C (43°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BRU, ANR, CRL | BRU, CRL, OST |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Antwerp for…
Rubens and Diamonds. Antwerp, Flanders' largest city, grew rich in the 16th century as one of Europe's great trading ports, and its old centre around the Grote Markt and the Cathedral of Our Lady still shows that wealth. It is the city of Peter Paul Rubens, whose altarpieces…
Choose Bruges for…
Canals and Belfry. Bruges is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in northern Europe: a UNESCO-listed oval of canals, brick gables and cobbled squares that was a great trading port in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Markt and its Belfry, the Burg's Gothic City Hall, the…
Top sights compared
| # | Antwerp | Bruges |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cathedral of Our Lady | Markt |
| 2 | Grote Markt and City Hall | Belfry of Bruges |
| 3 | Antwerp Central Station | Burg and City Hall |
| 4 | Museum Plantin-Moretus | Basilica of the Holy Blood |
| 5 | MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) | Groeningemuseum |
Food compared
| Antwerp | Bruges |
|---|---|
| Belgian fries | Moules-frites |
| Moules-frites | Frites |
| Stoofvlees | Flemish stew |
| Eel in green sauce | Waterzooi |
Which is cheaper?
Antwerp and Bruges cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $170–$300 in Antwerp and $170–$300 in Bruges (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Antwerp on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Antwerp and Bruges are about 82 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Antwerp and 2 in Bruges.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Antwerp or Bruges cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 in Antwerp and $170–$300 in Bruges (estimates).
+Is Antwerp or Bruges better for a first trip?
Pick Antwerp for Rubens and Diamonds, or Bruges for Canals and Belfry.
+How far is Antwerp from Bruges?
About 82 km in a straight line.