A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ghent vs. Cairngorms National Park for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ghent or Cairngorms National Park?

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 Cairngorms National Park. 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park is a picturesque, tranquil, and remote national park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food and hiking.

Ghent and Cairngorms National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Cairngorms National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ghent than Cairngorms National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ghent is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cairngorms National Park is more popular for its hiking. Cairngorms National Park is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its impressive hikes, scenic natural beauty, and nice mountains. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Also, Ghent is famous for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Ghent different from Cairngorms National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park?

Ghent is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Cairngorms National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Ghent specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Cairngorms National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Ghent or Cairngorms National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ghent is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Cairngorms National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Ghent has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Cairngorms National Park offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a variety of cafes, pubs, and restaurants in the area that offer hearty dishes to fill a hungry hiker.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Cairngorms National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Cairngorms National Park does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Cairngorms National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park Better for Hiking?

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

Cairngorms National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are hikes for every skill level. You'll find waterfalls, open glens, mountains, and beautiful lakes. Some of the best hikes include the Falls of Bruar, Morrone, and the Seven Bridges Trail.

Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Cairngorms National Park?

Ghent is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ghent. 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.

Cairngorms National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park Better for Families?

Cairngorms National Park 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.

Cairngorms National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. The outdoor wilderness, natural lakes, and fun activities make for a great family holiday. Head to the beach at Loch Morlich or go for a pony trek. You can also take a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway or if the kids are craving a bit more excitement head to Landmark Forest Adventure Park.

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 Cairngorms National Park Better for Couples?

Ghent and Cairngorms National Park both high quality 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.

Cairngorms National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The hiking, natural beauty, and stunning setting make for a wonderful couples getaway. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the serene setting and it's not uncommon for some couples to get engaged in this beautiful park.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park. Transportation without a car is basically impossible, but camping is a great way to experience the park to its fullest without breaking the bank.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park Better for Students?

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

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.

Cairngorms National Park is not popular with students.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park 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. However, Cairngorms National Park is lacking in good options 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Cairngorms National Park. To fully explore the park, you really need to have your own vehicle, but there are local buses and trains that travel to the park.

Is Ghent or Cairngorms National Park a more walkable city?

Ghent is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a walkable destination.

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

Cairngorms National Park is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Cairngorms National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairngorms National Park or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Cairngorms National Park?

In either Ghent or Cairngorms National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairngorms National Park than Ghent because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairngorms National Park.

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Cairngorms National Park. 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 Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park?

With food and shopping around the under-rated city of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Cairngorms National Park, many people enjoy the food that this picturesque destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This national park 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 Cairngorms National Park?

With shopping and museums around the cultural destination of Ghent, there's plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairngorms National Park. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Cairngorms National Park?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated city of Ghent. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cairngorms National Park is a fun place to experience. In Cairngorms National Park, many people enjoy the food that this destination offers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Ghent or Cairngorms National Park?

Ghent is a great place to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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 length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food around the serene destination of Cairngorms National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

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

When is the best time to visit Ghent or Cairngorms National Park?

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 Cairngorms National Park in the Summer?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cairngorms National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ghent is generally a little warmer than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 147 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Cairngorms National Park. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Cairngorms National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Cairngorms National Park. Many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Cairngorms National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Ghent is a little warmer than Cairngorms National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Ghent usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 84 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Cairngorms National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Cairngorms National Park. Most visitors come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairngorms National Park because of the cuisine.

The weather in Cairngorms National Park can be very cold. Ghent can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ghent is around the same temperature as Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 42 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Cairngorms National Park. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Cairngorms National Park in the Spring?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Cairngorms National Park this time of year.

In April, Ghent is generally a little warmer than Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Ghent usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cairngorms National Park and Ghent