A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ghent vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ghent or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii. 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 high energy, cultural, and historic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. It's also known for museums.

Ghent and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ghent than Pompeii, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ghent is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii is more popular for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Also, Ghent is famous for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Ghent different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii 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 Pompeii that are not to be missed. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Ghent has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Ghent or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Ghent is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Ghent or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Pompeii?

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ghent. 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Ghent or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Ghent or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Pompeii are notable 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 Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Ghent or Pompeii Better for Students?

Ghent is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

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

Ghent has a great public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Ghent or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ghent or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ghent than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

In Ghent, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Pompeii, many people enjoy the museums that this famous destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This archeological site 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 Pompeii?

In Ghent, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer.

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

Ghent is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Ghent or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ghent. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums around the famous destination of Pompeii. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Ghent or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pompeii in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Pompeii, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Pompeii. Many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ghent is cooler than Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Ghent usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Pompeii. Most visitors come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the museums.

Ghent can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ghent is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Ghent usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty.

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

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Ghent