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

Should you visit Ghent or Oslo?

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 Oslo. 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Ghent and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Oslo is more popular for its big city activities, while Ghent is known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Oslo is more touristy than Ghent and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also home to The Royal Palace. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Oslo 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.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

Ghent is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Ghent or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Ghent or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is notable for its historic old town. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Oslo?

Ghent is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Ghent or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo Better for Couples?

Ghent is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Ghent or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Oslo 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 Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Ghent or Oslo Better for Students?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

Both Ghent and Oslo 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 Oslo can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Is Ghent or Oslo a more walkable city?

Ghent and Oslo both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Oslo?

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

Ghent is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Ghent. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Oslo 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 Oslo?

The historic city of Ghent offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find nightlife and food around the park-filled big city of Oslo. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ghent is around the same temperature as Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives less rain than Oslo. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Ghent during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ghent is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Oslo. The winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. The weather in Ghent can be very cold. In January, Ghent is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Ghent usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ghent usually receives more rain than Oslo. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Oslo. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city.

Ghent is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Oslo. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Ghent