Cologne vs. Brussels

I am traveling to Europe in April of this year. I have already decided on Amsterdam and need to chose a 2nd city, close in distance, to visit. I have researched Cologne and Brussels and would now like to send the question out to those who may know already. Cologne vs. Brussels - which has better nightlife, better sites, better hotels, etc. Any information on which city is %26quot;better%26quot; to visit and details about where to go, stay, eat, drink once I%26#39;m there would be so helpful! I haven%26#39;t been to Europe since 2005 and want to make the most of the short time I have there now. Thanks to all!

- Katie

Charlotte, NC

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Hi Katie -from a sister Carolinian. We spent time last August in both Cologne and Brussels and loved them both. Given the choice though, I%26#39;d say I preferred Brussels for the nightlife, beer, hotel, ambience. If you choose Cologne, you%26#39;ll get to see one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in Europe, which was a highlight for us, as well as indulge in the great kolsch beers. If you choose Brussels, you%26#39;ll get amazing nightlife, beautiful architecture, a wide selection of Belgian beers (and literally thousands of beers of the world if you go to Delirium Tremens which you must promise to do!) Brussels also offers the Cantilon brewery, truffles galore and excellent food. But this isn%26#39;t the Belgium board so I%26#39;ll stop at that.

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Another option close to Amsterdam and even better than Brussels would be Antwerp! It is a great city!

Beautiful old historic town with a lot of atmosphere, also very trendy, lively, excellent shops, restaurants and bars.

From Brussels vs. Cologne i would choose Brussels, although Brussels is not a town tourists fall in love with at first sight.

In Germany I would choose Hamburg or Berlin.

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Having lived in Brussels, I vote for Brussels, for the reasons spelled out by Chapinite. Antwerp (Flemish, i.e. of Dutch origin)is also a nice city but Brussels is more cosmopolitan, because of its blend of Flemish and Wallonn cultures.

Cologne is also fun. It has the cathedral, some good museums and restaurants. A major attraction would be that you could take a day trip along the Rhein, going upstream by train to, perhaps, Bacharach or St. Goar and then return by boat. You could get off the boat in Koblnz and do the est of the return trip to Cologne by train. The pretty part of the Rhein is between Koblenz and Bingen, some 50plus km

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I have lived in Brussels and Antwerp and prefer Antwerp - but it always is a matter of personal preference...

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If you want to visit an extraordinaryly beautiful city, go to Brugges, which is a short train ride west of Brussles. It can best be described as a medievel Venice.

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Brugge is very beautiful, but only as a daytrip from Brussels or Antwerp - as Kjones83 is looking for good nightlife!

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