A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Ghent for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Aalborg or Ghent?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aalborg and Ghent. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a historic, charming, and local town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent

Ghent is a under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aalborg and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Ghent?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent than Aalborg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Ghent is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Aalborg is known for its small town charm. Aalborg is popular for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also home to The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Aalborg different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ghent and Aalborg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Ghent?

Ghent is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Aalborg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Ghent? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Aalborg and Ghent.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Aalborg makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Aalborg or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is renowned for nightlife. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Ghent is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

The nightlife in Aalborg has something for everybody. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

Is Aalborg or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Aalborg. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Ghent?

Ghent is a great destination for shopping. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aalborg. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Is Aalborg or Ghent Better for Families?

Both Aalborg and Ghent are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aalborg. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Ghent offers lots of family activities. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Aalborg or Ghent Better for Couples?

Ghent is a great destination for romance. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Ghent frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Aalborg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Is Aalborg or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg and Ghent are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Aalborg or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is renowned for students. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

It's common for students to visit Aalborg. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

Is Aalborg or Ghent Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ghent is renowned for its public transit. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Ghent has a great public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

While Aalborg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system around town.

Is Aalborg or Ghent a more walkable city?

Ghent is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Ghent Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Ghent?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aalborg and Ghent. In our opinion, Ghent has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ghent than Aalborg. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aalborg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ghent.

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Aalborg. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ghent, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Aalborg. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ghent that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ghent than Aalborg if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ghent.

One day in Aalborg or Ghent?

In Aalborg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Ghent, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Aalborg or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Ghent, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Ghent?

Aalborg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Aalborg. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Ghent is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Aalborg or Ghent?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Aalborg. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ghent. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aalborg and Ghent, we can see that Aalborg is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Aalborg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aalborg than you might in Ghent.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aalborg Expensive? and Is Ghent Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Ghent?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Aalborg. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Ghent, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aalborg or Ghent?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aalborg or Ghent in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Ghent. The summer months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

Aalborg is around the same temperature as Ghent in the summer. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Aalborg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ghent. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aalborg or Ghent in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Ghent. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Aalborg is cooler than Ghent. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aalborg in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Ghent averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in October than Ghent. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Aalborg. In January, Aalborg is generally much colder than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around -1°C (31°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In January, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Ghent. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aalborg or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent and Aalborg during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the spring for the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months.

Aalborg is cooler than Ghent in the spring. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in April than Ghent. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Aalborg