Comparison · Bruges vs Strasbourg · Belgium / France
Bruges vs Strasbourg
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Bruges for Canals and Belfry; choose Strasbourg for Strasbourg Cathedral and Petite France. Strasbourg is generally less expensive, and the two are about 437 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 437 km
- Less expensive
- Strasbourg
- Best time for Bruges
- April–June and September
- Best time for Strasbourg
- May–June, September–October and December
Side by side
| Bruges | Strasbourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Belgium | France |
| Known for | Canals, Belfry and Medieval architecture | Strasbourg Cathedral, Petite France and Christmas market |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | May–June, September–October and December |
| Ideal stay | 2 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$300 | $150–$260 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 23°C (73°F) | July, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BRU, CRL, OST | SXB, FKB, BSL |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Strasbourg for…
Strasbourg Cathedral and Petite France. Strasbourg, capital of Alsace on the Rhine border with Germany, mixes French and German culture in its food, architecture and dialect. The Grande Île, an island ringed by the River Ill, holds the pink-sandstone cathedral with its 142-metre spire and…
Top sights compared
| # | Bruges | Strasbourg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Markt | Strasbourg Cathedral |
| 2 | Belfry of Bruges | Astronomical Clock |
| 3 | Burg and City Hall | Cathedral platform |
| 4 | Basilica of the Holy Blood | Petite France |
| 5 | Groeningemuseum | Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban |
Food compared
| Bruges | Strasbourg |
|---|---|
| Moules-frites | Choucroute garnie |
| Frites | Tarte flambée |
| Flemish stew | Baeckeoffe |
| Waterzooi | Bretzel |
Which is cheaper?
Strasbourg is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 per person there, against $170–$300 in Bruges (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Strasbourg on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Bruges and Strasbourg are about 437 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 2 days in Bruges and 3 in Strasbourg.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bruges or Strasbourg cheaper?
Strasbourg is usually less expensive: about $150–$260 a day mid-range against $170–$300 (estimates).
+Is Bruges or Strasbourg better for a first trip?
Pick Bruges for Canals and Belfry, or Strasbourg for Strasbourg Cathedral and Petite France.
+How far is Bruges from Strasbourg?
About 437 km in a straight line.