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

Should you visit Ghent or Montpellier?

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 Montpellier. 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. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a vibrant, bustling, and beautiful city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Ghent and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Montpellier?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montpellier. Although Ghent and Montpellier are about the same size, Montpellier has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Montpellier is better known for its beaches and historical sights, while Ghent is more popular for its food, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Montpellier is well known for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. Also, Montpellier is famous for The Place de la Comédie.

How is Ghent different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Montpellier 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.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Ghent is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Ghent is an experience not to be missed. 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Ghent or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Ghent or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Ghent is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Montpellier for it's beautiful beaches. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The historic old town of Montpellier is revered around the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Montpellier?

Both Ghent and Montpellier are excellent 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.

Montpellier is well-known for its shopping. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Ghent or Montpellier Better for Families?

Both Ghent and Montpellier are notable 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.

Montpellier is a family-friendly city. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Ghent or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Ghent and Montpellier both excellent 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.

Montpellier makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Ghent or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

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 Montpellier Better for Students?

Ghent and Montpellier are both terrific 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 Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Ghent can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Visitors to Montpellier can move around easily with public transportation. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Ghent or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Ghent and Montpellier both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Montpellier is a very walkable city. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ghent and Montpellier. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Ghent or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated 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 Montpellier, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

The under-rated 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.

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Montpellier. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Montpellier?

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 food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Montpellier. Most people come for the beaches. 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 in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Ghent and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ghent or Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Montpellier. The summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Montpellier. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ghent is cooler than Montpellier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Montpellier. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. In the winter, Ghent is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Montpellier averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Montpellier for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Montpellier. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Ghent