A Travel Price Comparison for Belgium Ghent vs. Antwerp for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Ghent or Antwerp?

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 Antwerp. 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 high energy, cultural, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a cultural, historical, and youthful port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Antwerp?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Ghent. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Antwerp is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Ghent attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Ghent is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Antwerp is famous for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also well known for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Ghent different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Antwerp 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 Antwerp?

Both Ghent and Antwerp have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Antwerp offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

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

Ghent is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Antwerp is becoming an appealing option for foodies. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Is Ghent or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

Many people head to Antwerp for the nightlife scene. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Is Ghent or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the high quality old town areas in both Ghent and Antwerp.

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 Antwerp. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Antwerp?

Antwerp 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.

Antwerp is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

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 Ghent or Antwerp Better for Families?

Both Ghent and Antwerp 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.

Antwerp is a family-friendly city. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Is Ghent or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Ghent is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Antwerp is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Ghent or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Antwerp are nice destinations for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Antwerp. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

Is Ghent or Antwerp Better for Students?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Antwerp is a great city to visit as a student. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

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

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

Visitors in Ghent can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

While Antwerp offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Ghent or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Ghent and Antwerp both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Antwerp is a very walkable city. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Antwerp?

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

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

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

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.

In Antwerp, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the shopping. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Ghent or Antwerp?

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.

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

Five days in Ghent or Antwerp?

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.

Antwerp is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Antwerp. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Antwerp?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the youthful destination of Antwerp. 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 shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Ghent and Antwerp, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Antwerp, 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 Antwerp?

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 Antwerp in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Antwerp. Many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Antwerp in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ghent is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Antwerp averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antwerp this time of the year. In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Ghent or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Antwerp. Many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Ghent is generally around the same temperature as Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Ghent or Antwerp in the Winter?

Both Antwerp and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Antwerp can be very cold. Ghent can be very cold during winter. Ghent is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as Antwerp. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In the spring, Ghent is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Antwerp averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Antwerp. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Ghent