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

Should you visit Ghent or Mainz?

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

Mainz

Mainz is a historic, quaint, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Ghent and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Mainz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent than Mainz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Mainz is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. 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 Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ghent is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Foodies will find both Ghent and Mainz both to be very good 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.

Mainz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Ghent or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is terrific for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Ghent is a must-see party destination. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Ghent or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Ghent and Mainz.

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 visitors explore the old town while visiting Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Mainz?

Ghent is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Ghent or Mainz Better for Families?

Ghent is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Ghent or Mainz Better for Couples?

Ghent and Mainz both very good 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.

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Ghent or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Mainz are good 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 Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Ghent or Mainz Better for Students?

Ghent is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Ghent is a very popular city 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 visit Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Ghent can take you anywhere. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Public transit in Mainz can get you to some places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Ghent or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz 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 Mainz on foot. The town is easily explored 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 Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Ghent or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz 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 Mainz.

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Mainz. 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 Mainz. 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 Mainz 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 Mainz?

In Ghent, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this under-rated destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Mainz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this peaceful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town 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 Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Mainz?

Ghent is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Ghent. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

A week in Ghent or Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Mainz?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mainz because of the family-friendly experiences.

Ghent is around the same temperature as Mainz in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

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

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

Should I visit Ghent or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Mainz. The autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In the autumn, Ghent is a little warmer than Mainz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Should I visit Ghent or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Mainz. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mainz. It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. In January, Ghent is generally much warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

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

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

Should I visit Ghent or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the spring for the natural beauty.

Ghent is cooler than Mainz in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Mainz and Ghent