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

Should you visit Ghent or Munich?

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

Munich

Munich is a multicultural, economically thriving, and bustling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

Ghent and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Munich?

You'll generally find more things to do in Munich than Ghent. Munich is bigger than Ghent, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Munich is better known for its music, shopping, and big city activities, while Ghent is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Ghent and is known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. Also, Munich is famous for The Nymphenburg Palace. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Munich have great 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.

Munich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Foodies will find both Ghent and Munich both to be great 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.

Munich has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Ghent or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Both Ghent and Munich are world-class when it comes to partying.

People head to Ghent just to party. 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 nightlife in Munich is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Is Ghent or Munich Better for Music?

Munich is a world-class destination for live music. However, Ghent is not a live music destination.

Munich is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is Ghent or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Munich 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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Munich?

Munich 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.

Munich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich Better for Families?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city 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 Munich Better for Couples?

Ghent and Munich both great 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.

Munich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Ghent or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Munich is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich Better for Students?

Ghent and Munich are both world-class 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 Munich. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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

Both Ghent and Munich offer world-class 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 Munich can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

Is Ghent or Munich a more walkable city?

Ghent and Munich both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Munich is a very walkable city. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Munich?

In either Ghent or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Ghent because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich 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 Munich.

One day in Ghent or Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

Ghent is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Munich is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Munich has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Ghent or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ghent. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the bustling big city of Munich. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Munich. Many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Munich. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Munich this time of the year. In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Munich during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives less rain than Munich. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Munich. Most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Ghent is a little warmer than Munich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Munich. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. The weather in Ghent can be very cold. In the winter, Ghent is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Munich averages at about -1°C (31°F).

Ghent usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ghent usually receives more rain than Munich. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city.

In April, Ghent is generally cooler than Munich. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Munich. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Munich. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Munich and Ghent