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

Should you visit Ghent or Bergen?

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 Bergen. 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 youthful, high energy, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ghent. Although Ghent and Bergen are about the same size, Ghent has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ghent is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is more popular for its small town charm. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Also, Ghent is famous for The Fortress of Gravensteen. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Ghent different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ghent is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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

Ghent is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Ghent is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Is Ghent or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Ghent is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Ghent or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

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.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Bergen?

Both Ghent and Bergen are superb shopping destinations.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Bergen is well-known for its shopping. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Is Ghent or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen 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.

Bergen is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

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 Ghent or Bergen Better for Couples?

Ghent and Bergen both superb destinations for a couple.

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.

Bergen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

Is Ghent or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Bergen are notable 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 Bergen. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Ghent or Bergen Better for Students?

Ghent is very popular for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Plenty of students visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

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

Ghent is very popular for its public transit. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Ghent has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

Is Ghent or Bergen a more walkable city?

Ghent and Bergen both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Bergen is a very walkable city. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Bergen?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Bergen. 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 Bergen 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid back destination offers. This 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen. 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.

Five days in Ghent or Bergen?

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.

Bergen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bergen. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Bergen?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Bergen, we can see that Ghent is more expensive. And not only is Bergen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bergen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bergen 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 Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent than you might in Bergen.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Bergen?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Bergen, 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ghent is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Ghent usually receives less rain than Bergen. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Ghent during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Ghent is a little warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Bergen. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bergen can be very cold during winter. Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Ghent is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Bergen. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Bergen. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm.

In April, Ghent is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Ghent