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

Should you visit Ghent or Biarritz?

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 Biarritz. 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a relaxing, quirky, and dynamic seaside town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Ghent and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Biarritz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent. Although Ghent and Biarritz are popular destinations, Ghent has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ghent is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Biarritz attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Biarritz is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also well known for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Ghent different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

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

Foodies will find both Ghent and Biarritz both to be superb destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Biarritz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Is Ghent or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

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

Ghent is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

The people in Biarritz know how to have a good time. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

Is Ghent or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Ghent is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Biarritz to choose from. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Ghent is not a resort destination.

Is Ghent or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Ghent is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Biarritz for it's beautiful beaches. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or Biarritz Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a 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.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Biarritz?

Both Ghent and Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is well-known for its shopping. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Is Ghent or Biarritz Better for Families?

Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is a very family-friendly place to visit. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

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 Biarritz Better for Couples?

Ghent and Biarritz 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.

Biarritz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Is Ghent or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Biarritz. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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 Ghent or Biarritz Better for Students?

Ghent is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Biarritz is not popular with students.

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.

Biarritz is not popular with students.

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

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

Ghent has a great public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

You'll find some public transit in Biarritz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Ghent or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Ghent and Biarritz both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Biarritz is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Biarritz?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Biarritz. 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.

One day in Ghent or Biarritz?

The beautiful city of Ghent offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Biarritz, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this cultural destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This seaside 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 Biarritz?

Ghent is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ghent, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Biarritz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Biarritz?

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Biarritz is a fun place to experience. In Biarritz, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Ghent or Biarritz?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

In Biarritz, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this dynamic destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Ghent and Biarritz, we can see that Biarritz 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 Biarritz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Biarritz?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Biarritz, 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 Biarritz?

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 Ghent or Biarritz in the Summer?

Both Biarritz and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Biarritz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Biarritz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Biarritz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Biarritz. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in July than Biarritz. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Biarritz. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Biarritz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Ghent is generally cooler than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Ghent usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Biarritz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Biarritz. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Ghent usually gets less rain in January than Biarritz. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Biarritz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Biarritz averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Ghent usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Ghent