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

Should you visit Birmingham or Ghent?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Ghent can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Ghent

Ghent is a high energy, cultural, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Ghent?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Ghent is known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Birmingham different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Birmingham or Ghent.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ghent can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Is Birmingham or Ghent Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a well-known place for theatre. However, Ghent is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Ghent is not a theatre destination.

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

Ghent is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Ghent. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Ghent has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Birmingham or Ghent Better for Music?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for live music. However, Ghent is not a live music destination.

Birmingham is a world class music destination. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is great for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Ghent?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Ghent both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Ghent is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Birmingham or Ghent Better for Families?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. 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 Birmingham or Ghent Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Ghent are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is Birmingham or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ghent is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Ghent is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Ghent Better for Students?

For students, both Birmingham and Ghent are first-rate places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Ghent is a great destination 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.

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

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Ghent is top-notch. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Ghent a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Ghent are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Ghent?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Ghent. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Ghent. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ghent.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Birmingham. 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Ghent?

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this historic destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ghent, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Ghent?

Birmingham is a fun place to experience. In Birmingham, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Ghent, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Ghent?

You'll find shopping and museums around the bustling destination of Birmingham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ghent is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Ghent, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Ghent Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Ghent?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Ghent?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Ghent in the Summer?

Both Ghent and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Ghent. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Ghent in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Ghent. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Ghent averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Ghent. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Ghent in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Ghent. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. In January, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Ghent. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in January than Ghent. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Ghent in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ghent. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Birmingham