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

Should you visit Ghent or Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne. 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 under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a medieval, historical, and fairytale town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food and museums.

Ghent and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Carcassonne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ghent. Although Ghent and Carcassonne are both popular with visitors, Ghent has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ghent is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is known for its small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also home to The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Ghent different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Carcassonne have excellent 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.

Carcassonne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

Foodies will find both Ghent and Carcassonne both to be excellent 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.

Carcassonne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Ghent or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is very popular for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Ghent or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a very popular place for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

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 people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Carcassonne?

Ghent is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ghent or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Both Ghent and Carcassonne are good 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.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly city. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Ghent or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Ghent is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Ghent or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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 Carcassonne Better for Students?

Ghent is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit 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.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

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

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.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Ghent or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ghent or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ghent than Carcassonne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 1-2 days is enough time in Carcassonne.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Carcassonne, many people enjoy the food and museums that this fairytale destination offers. This town 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Ghent. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

The youthful city of Ghent offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A week in Ghent or Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ghent. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and food around the medieval destination of Carcassonne. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Carcassonne?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

Ghent is cooler than Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Carcassonne. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Carcassonne. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Ghent is cooler than Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Carcassonne. Many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. In January, Ghent is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Carcassonne. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Ghent is much colder than Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Ghent