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

Should you visit Geneva 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 Geneva 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.

Geneva

Geneva is a diverse, international, and professional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. 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.

Geneva and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Ghent?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Geneva than Ghent. While Ghent is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Geneva is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Ghent is known for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Geneva different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Geneva and Ghent have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Ghent can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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 Geneva or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Ghent is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Geneva or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva 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 Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Ghent?

Geneva is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Ghent is well-known for its shopping. 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 Geneva or Ghent Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Ghent are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

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 Geneva or Ghent Better for Couples?

Ghent is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva 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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ghent is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva 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.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Geneva and Ghent.

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Ghent has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Is Geneva or Ghent a more walkable city?

Geneva and Ghent both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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 Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Ghent Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Ghent?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Geneva and Ghent. In our opinion, Ghent has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ghent than Geneva. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Geneva. 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 Geneva. 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Ghent?

Each neighborhood in Geneva has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the shopping. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Ghent?

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

Ghent is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Ghent?

Geneva is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Geneva. Lots of people come for the shopping. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Ghent?

You'll find food and shopping around the diverse big city of Geneva. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ghent. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Ghent?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Ghent in the Summer?

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

Geneva is a little warmer than Ghent in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives less rain than Ghent. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Ghent in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Ghent. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Geneva is a little warmer than Ghent. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Ghent averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ghent. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Geneva 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 Geneva. In January, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Ghent. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months.

Geneva is a little warmer than Ghent in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Ghent. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Geneva