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

Should you visit Ghent or Nantes?

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 Nantes. 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

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

Ghent and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Nantes?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ghent than Nantes, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ghent is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Nantes is more popular for its food. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Also, Ghent is famous for The Fortress of Gravensteen. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Ghent different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Nantes 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.

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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

Nantes is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Nantes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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.

Is Ghent or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Nantes 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.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Ghent or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Nantes?

Both Ghent and Nantes are great 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.

Nantes is well-known for its shopping. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Is Ghent or Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes 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.

Nantes is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes Better for Couples?

Ghent and Nantes 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.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Is Ghent or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ghent is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Ghent or Nantes Better for Students?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Ghent is a great destination 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.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

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

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 Nantes can move around easily with public transportation. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Ghent or Nantes a more walkable city?

Ghent and Nantes both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Nantes is a very walkable city. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ghent and Nantes. In our opinion, Ghent has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ghent than Nantes. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

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.

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes. 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 Nantes?

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.

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

A week in Ghent or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic 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 food and shopping around the historical destination of Nantes. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Nantes, 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes in the Summer?

Both Nantes and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Nantes. 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 Nantes because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ghent is around the same temperature as Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nantes. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Nantes. 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 Nantes this time of year.

The weather in Ghent can be very cold. In the winter, Ghent is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty.

In April, Ghent is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Nantes. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Ghent