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

Should you visit Ghent or Paris?

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 Paris. 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 youthful, high energy, and cultural city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Paris

Paris is a bustling, energetic, and beautiful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Ghent and Paris: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Paris?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Paris than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Paris is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Ghent is known for its historical sights. Paris is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. It is also home to The Eiffel Tower. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

The Eiffel Tower

How is Ghent different from Paris?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paris is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Paris that are not to be missed. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Is Ghent or Paris Better for Theater?

Paris is a world-class destination for theatre. However, Ghent is not a theatre destination.

Paris is considered to be a world-class theater destination. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Ghent is not a theatre destination.

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

Paris 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 Paris, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

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 Paris Better for Nightlife?

Both Ghent and Paris are amazing 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 Paris is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

Is Ghent or Paris Better for Music?

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

Paris is a world class music destination. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is Ghent or Paris Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is great for its historic old town. However, Paris does not have a historic old town.

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.

Paris does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Paris?

Paris 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.

Paris is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

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 Paris Better for Christmas?

Paris is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, Ghent does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris is a world class destination during the Christmas season. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Ghent does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Ghent or Paris Better for Families?

Paris 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, Paris is very family-friendly. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

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 Paris Better for Couples?

Paris is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Paris is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is Ghent or Paris Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris 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.

Paris is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts 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 Paris Better for Students?

Ghent and Paris are both amazing 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 Paris. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.

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

Both Ghent and Paris offer amazing 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 Paris can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Ghent or Paris a more walkable city?

Ghent and Paris both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Paris is a very walkable city. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Paris or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Paris?

Both Ghent and Paris have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than in Ghent. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 3-7 days is enough time in Paris.

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

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

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

One day in Ghent or Paris?

In Ghent, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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.

Each neighborhood in Paris 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 Paris?

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 Paris. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Paris?

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.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy 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.

Each neighborhood in Paris has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Paris, 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 Paris?

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 Paris in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Paris. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Ghent is cooler than Paris in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paris. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Paris. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Paris. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Paris in the Autumn?

Both Paris and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Paris in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Ghent is around the same temperature as Paris. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Paris averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Paris during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Paris. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Paris in the Winter?

Both Paris and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Paris for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Paris can be very cold during winter. Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Ghent is generally cooler than Paris. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Paris. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Paris. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Paris in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Paris. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Paris because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Ghent is cooler than Paris in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Paris fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Paris during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Paris. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Paris and Ghent