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

Should you visit Ghent or Toulouse?

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 Toulouse. 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 historic, under-rated, and youthful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a vibrant, friendly, and relaxed city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent and Toulouse: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Toulouse?

You'll generally find more things to do in Toulouse than Ghent. Toulouse is bigger than Ghent, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Toulouse is better known for its food and big city activities, while Ghent is more popular for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Ghent is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Toulouse is well known for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. Also, Toulouse is famous for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Ghent different from Toulouse?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Toulouse have very good 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.

Toulouse offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Toulouse 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 Toulouse, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Ghent is a world class party destination. 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.

Toulouse has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Ghent or Toulouse Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Ghent and Toulouse.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Toulouse?

Both Ghent and Toulouse are very good 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.

Toulouse is well-known for its shopping. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Ghent or Toulouse Better for Families?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse Better for Couples?

Ghent and Toulouse both very good 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.

Toulouse makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Is Ghent or Toulouse Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ghent is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Ghent is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Ghent or Toulouse Better for Students?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Ghent is a very popular city 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

Ghent is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Ghent has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Ghent or Toulouse a more walkable city?

Ghent and Toulouse both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Toulouse is a very walkable city. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulouse or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Toulouse?

It's fun to spend time in either Ghent or Toulouse. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Toulouse due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-4 days is enough time in Toulouse.

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

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

The beautiful city of Ghent offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Toulouse, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Toulouse?

Ghent is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ghent, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Ghent or Toulouse?

Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Ghent or Toulouse?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Toulouse. 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 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Toulouse?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse?

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 Toulouse in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Toulouse. Most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulouse. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Toulouse. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Toulouse in the Autumn?

Both Toulouse and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year.

Ghent is cooler than Toulouse in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Toulouse in the Winter?

Both Toulouse and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toulouse for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. In the winter, Ghent is much colder than Toulouse. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Toulouse averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Ghent or Toulouse in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Toulouse. Many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Toulouse in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Ghent is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Toulouse. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulouse and Ghent