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

Should you visit Ghent or Amalfi?

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 Ghent and Amalfi. 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a historic, under-rated, and youthful city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Ghent and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Amalfi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amalfi. Although Ghent and Amalfi are popular destinations, Amalfi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amalfi is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Ghent attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Amalfi is more touristy than Ghent and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also well known for the dramatic coastline. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ghent is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Amalfi, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

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 Ghent or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

Many people head to Amalfi for the nightlife scene. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ghent is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Amalfi. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Ghent is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a good destination for its beaches. However, Ghent is not a beach destination.

Amalfi offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Ghent and Amalfi.

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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Amalfi is a popular spot for hiking. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Amalfi?

Ghent is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Ghent and Amalfi are nice family-friendly destinations.

Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Amalfi is a family-friendly city. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Amalfi is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

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

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ghent is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ghent is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Ghent or Amalfi Better for Students?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with 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.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

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

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

While Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Ghent or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore 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 Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Amalfi?

Both Ghent and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Ghent. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ghent than Amalfi 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 Ghent or Amalfi?

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.

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this stunning destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

A weekend in Ghent or Amalfi?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

Five days in Ghent or Amalfi?

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.

Amalfi is a fun place to experience. In Amalfi, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

A week in Ghent or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated 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.

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this picturesque destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Amalfi?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Amalfi, 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 Ghent or Amalfi?

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 Ghent or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Amalfi. Most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Amalfi averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amalfi this time of the year. In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Amalfi. The autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In October, Ghent is generally cooler than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. Ghent is much colder than Amalfi in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Amalfi in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ghent is much colder than Amalfi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Amalfi averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Ghent