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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Ghent?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Ghent can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a charming, character-filled, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for live music, shopping, and museums.

Ghent

Ghent is a historic, under-rated, and youthful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Ghent?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Ghent. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Ghent attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Edinburgh different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Edinburgh that are not to be missed. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Edinburgh or Ghent Better for Theater?

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

Edinburgh offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Ghent is not a theatre destination.

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

Ghent is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Ghent is a must-see party destination. 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.

Edinburgh is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Edinburgh or Ghent Better for Music?

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

Edinburgh is a world class music destination. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The historic old town of Edinburgh is revered around the world. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Ghent?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Edinburgh and Ghent.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ghent. 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 Edinburgh or Ghent Better for Families?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Ghent Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Ghent are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Ghent is a very popular city 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.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Ghent is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Ghent can take you anywhere. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Ghent a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Ghent Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Ghent?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Ghent. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Ghent. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ghent.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Ghent 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Ghent?

In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the live music and shopping that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Ghent?

Edinburgh is a fun place to experience. In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the museums and theater that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Ghent. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Ghent?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the charming destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Ghent?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Ghent in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Ghent. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Ghent. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Edinburgh is cooler than Ghent in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Ghent. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ghent can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Ghent averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ghent. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Ghent in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Ghent. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty.

In April, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Ghent. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Edinburgh