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

Should you visit Ghent or Verona?

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 Verona. 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Verona

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

Ghent and Verona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Verona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent. Although Ghent and Verona are popular destinations, Ghent has more sights and attractions for tourists. Verona is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also well known for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Ghent different from Verona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Ghent and Verona have superb 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.

Verona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

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

Foodies will find both Ghent and Verona both to be superb destinations.

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.

Verona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

Is Ghent or Verona Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Verona. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

Is Ghent or Verona Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the superb old town areas in both Ghent and Verona.

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 Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Verona?

Ghent is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Verona to go shopping. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

Is Ghent or Verona Better for Families?

Ghent is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Verona is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Ghent offers lots of family activities. 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.

Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

Is Ghent or Verona Better for Couples?

Ghent and Verona both superb 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.

Verona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

Is Ghent or Verona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Verona are nice 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 Verona. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

Is Ghent or Verona Better for Students?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Many students frequent Ghent. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Verona is a good city to visit for students. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

Is Ghent or Verona 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, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Verona has a few public transit options. ATV operates buses through the city.

Is Ghent or Verona a more walkable city?

Ghent and Verona both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Verona is a very walkable city. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

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

Should I spend more time in Verona or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Verona?

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

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

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

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

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 Verona. 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 Verona?

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.

Verona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Verona. 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 Verona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated 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 stunning destination of Verona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 10-Day Tours in Italy, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Verona?

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

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 Verona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Verona. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Verona for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Verona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Verona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Verona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Verona. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 286 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Verona. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Verona receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Verona in the Autumn?

Both Verona 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 Verona in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ghent is generally cooler than Verona. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Verona fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Verona during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as Verona. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Verona receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Verona in the Winter?

Both Verona 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. Also, most visitors come to Verona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Verona can be very cold during winter. Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. Ghent is much warmer than Verona in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Verona fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Verona. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 98 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Verona. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Verona receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Verona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Verona. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Verona because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Verona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Verona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Verona during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Verona. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Verona receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Verona and Ghent