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

Should you visit Ghent or Giverny?

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 Giverny. 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a peaceful, serene, and inspiring town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food and museums.

Ghent and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Giverny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent. Although Ghent and Giverny are popular destinations, Ghent has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ghent is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Giverny attracts visitors for its small town charm. Giverny is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. 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 Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Giverny have superb 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.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Ghent is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Ghent or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Ghent has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Ghent or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is great for its old town. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Giverny?

Ghent is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ghent or Giverny Better for Families?

Ghent is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Ghent offers lots of family activities. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Ghent or Giverny Better for Couples?

Ghent and Giverny 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.

Giverny makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Ghent or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Giverny are nice 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 Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Ghent or Giverny Better for Students?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Ghent is top-notch. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Ghent or Giverny a more walkable city?

Ghent is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ghent or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ghent than Giverny 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 Giverny.

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

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

In Ghent, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Giverny, many people enjoy the food and museums that this inspiring 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 Giverny?

In Ghent, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer.

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

Ghent is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Ghent or Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ghent. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the peaceful destination of Giverny. 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 France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Giverny?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Giverny. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Giverny. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Giverny. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ghent is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Giverny. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Giverny can be very cold during winter. Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. Ghent is cooler than Giverny in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Giverny. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Giverny. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Giverny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Giverny averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Giverny. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Ghent