Amsterdam or Bruges?

shifty_uk · 24 Aug 2013 at 16:50

Thinking of going to either of these destinations for a 3-4 day break with the other half

I love the visual appeal of Bruges, it looks lovely but im aware of the lack of things to do. As for Amsterdam, theres probably more to fill up a few days with but we're both put off by the negative aspects, red light districts and booze!

A relatively relaxing city break with great sights would be the ideal objective

Edit: prague is out of the question, weather doesn't look ideal!

doofer · 24 Aug 2013 at 16:51

Send her to Bruges and you go to Amsterdam. WIN!

stulid · 24 Aug 2013 at 17:05

Don't go near the red light areas then your fine.

joeyjojo · 24 Aug 2013 at 17:06

Bruges is unmissable for a couply short break.

You'll be perfectly content exploring, boating around the canals, sitting in the cafes, seeing the historical sites, eating + drinking (frites and belgian beers!), and generally chilling out. There's plenty to do for 4 days.

PapaLazaru · 24 Aug 2013 at 17:10

The Red Light district has cleaned it's act up massively over the last few years. It is still a little seedy but it has to be seen to be believed.

arknor · 24 Aug 2013 at 17:13

I'd go to Amsterdam I hear they have really nice cafes.
they must do an awesome cup of coffee or something

stulid · 24 Aug 2013 at 17:15

arknor said:
I'd go to Amsterdam I hear they have really nice cafes.
they must do an awesome cup of coffee or something

Yeah the cafes are nice with great drinks.

The Coffeeshops are where you get other stuff.

daz · 24 Aug 2013 at 18:06

When are you going? I think Bruges is nicer when the weather is better - because you'll want to sit outside drinking beer and eating nice food and explore the medieval streets as well as going on canal trips. Amsterdam I'm sure is improved by the weather, but I think you would get more out of Amsterdam when the weather is worse than you would out of Bruges.

Cosimo · 24 Aug 2013 at 18:10

It's worth going to Amsterdam just for the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. You can easily spend a day in both.

Spook187 · 24 Aug 2013 at 19:26

Cosimo said:
It's worth going to Amsterdam just for the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. You can easily spend a day in both.

nice pic there sir, i found a nice little bar not to far from that shot to the right, they feed you plenty of nuts so to get a thirst up, i didnt have a problem with that.
Did you pop into Alto Jazz club when you had a visit.

Minxy · 24 Aug 2013 at 19:32

Bruges is beautiful. All the buildings are so ornate and very pretty to spend a couple of days wandering round.

CaptainRAVE · 24 Aug 2013 at 19:34

Bruges is stunning, but there doesn't seem to be a huge amount to do other than wander around in my experience.

Charlie Bravo · 24 Aug 2013 at 19:39

Bruges is amazing and well worth a visit. I've been twice so far and aim to go back.

bJN · 24 Aug 2013 at 19:59

How would you be travelling there? When I get some time off in the next 6 months I intend on going to Stockholm for a weekend - it's relatively cheap to get there too

King4aDay · 24 Aug 2013 at 20:07

Only been to Amsterdam once; relaxing it was not!

Might have had something due to accidentally turning up during Gay Pride though

/awaits GD derision

thezappa · 24 Aug 2013 at 20:40

bJN said:
How would you be travelling there? When I get some time off in the next 6 months I intend on going to Stockholm for a weekend - it's relatively cheap to get there too

I'm going to Stockholm on 5th Sept. Flying Norwegian Air for £86 return for the weekend.

As for the op I'd say Bruges, as already said, its great for couples breaks. I went in Feb and stayed in the Grand Hotel Casselbergh.
If you go up the tower in the main square go first thing in the morning, it opens at 9am I think and has hardly anyone there.

You can't ignore the frites museum, surprisingly quite a lot there about all things related.
also the chocolate museum and the The Half Moon Brewery where they brew Zot, we had an awesome guide who was very amusing - an older fella with glasses and a 'tache.

shifty_uk · 24 Aug 2013 at 21:04

Excellent, cheers for the advice guys!

joeyjojo said:
Bruges is unmissable for a couply short break.

You'll be perfectly content exploring, boating around the canals, sitting in the cafes, seeing the historical sites, eating + drinking (frites and belgian beers!), and generally chilling out. There's plenty to do for 4 days.

Sold!

For those who have flown to Bruges, how did you find the trip? Travelling from Glasgow to Brussels with BA obviously has the inevitable 3+ hour stop offs in London - not too bad but hows the trip from Brussels to Bruges?

daz · 24 Aug 2013 at 21:05

Eurostar train to Brussels and then train to Bruges would be my recommendation. It's about 45 minutes from Brussels.

Hellsmk2 · 25 Aug 2013 at 00:54

Amsterdam: Cheap, full of drugs, and awesome.

Bruges: Expensive, full of booze, and awesome.

Bruges is infinitely more picturesque than Amsterdam. For a break with the mrs it wins hands down... no contest.

Be warned travelling in Belgium is not cheap. Book your shuttle from the airport to Brussels online in advance, and get a return train ticket from Brussels to Bruges (5 euro to Bruges, 17 the other way)

httk · 25 Aug 2013 at 02:52

daz said:
Eurostar train to Brussels and then train to Bruges would be my recommendation. It's about 45 minutes from Brussels.

+1