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

Should you visit Ghent or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt. 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.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a accessible, modern, and connected city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Frankfurt?

You'll generally find more things to do in Frankfurt than Ghent. Frankfurt is bigger than Ghent, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is better known for its big city activities, while Ghent is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Also, Frankfurt is famous for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Ghent different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Frankfurt have high quality 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.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Foodies will find both Ghent and Frankfurt both to be high quality 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.

Frankfurt has a huge number of terrific restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Ghent or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Ghent is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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 Frankfurt know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Ghent or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Frankfurt?

Both Ghent and Frankfurt are high quality 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.

Frankfurt is well-known for its shopping. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Ghent or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly place to visit. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Ghent or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt Better for Students?

Ghent and Frankfurt are both first-rate destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Many students frequent Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Both Ghent and Frankfurt offer first-rate public transit options.

With a huge network, the transit system in Ghent can get you around easily. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Is Ghent or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Ghent and Frankfurt both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Frankfurt is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Frankfurt?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Ghent or Frankfurt?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Frankfurt has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Frankfurt?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Ghent. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Ghent or Frankfurt?

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the modern big city of Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Frankfurt?

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

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

Both Frankfurt and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Frankfurt, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Frankfurt. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Ghent is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Frankfurt in the Winter?

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

The weather in Frankfurt can be very cold. Ghent can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ghent is much warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt 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 activities around the city are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In April, Ghent is generally cooler than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Ghent