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

Should you visit Ghent or Como?

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 Como. 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 cultural, historic, and under-rated city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Ghent and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Como?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than Ghent. While Ghent is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Ghent is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Also, Como is famous for the lakeside setting. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ghent can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

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

Como is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Como, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific 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.

Is Ghent or Como Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Ghent or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a good destination for its beaches. However, Ghent is not a beach destination.

Como offers a nice beach destination. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or Como Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Ghent to see the historical old town. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Ghent or Como Better for Hiking?

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

Como is a popular spot for hiking. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Como?

Como 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.

Como is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Families?

Como 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.

Como is a very family-friendly place to visit. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como 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 Como Better for Couples?

Como is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Como is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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.

Is Ghent or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como 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 Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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 Como Better for Students?

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

Ghent is a great destination 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.

Como is not popular with students.

Is Ghent or Como 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, Como 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 Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Ghent or Como a more walkable city?

Ghent and Como both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Como is a very walkable city. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Ghent or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Ghent 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 Como.

One day in Ghent or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Como, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this scenic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This lake area 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 Como?

Ghent is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Ghent. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Como?

The under-rated city of Ghent offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic destination of Como. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Como?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Como. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Como. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Como. Most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Como because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ghent is cooler than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Ghent usually receives less rain than Como. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Como. The winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Como this time of year.

It's quite cold in Como in the winter. The weather in Ghent can be very cold. In the winter, Ghent is cooler than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Como. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in January than Como. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Ghent is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Como during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Como. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Ghent