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

Should you visit Ghent or Versailles?

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 Versailles. 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Versailles

Versailles is a grand, ornate, and opulent palace. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for museums.

Ghent and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Versailles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent than Versailles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Ghent is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Versailles is known for its museums. Versailles is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its long running history and its grand architecture. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also home to The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Ghent different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Versailles 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 Versailles that are not to be missed. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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 Versailles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ghent is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Ghent. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Ghent or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Ghent or Versailles Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a great city for its historic old town. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Versailles?

Ghent is a great city for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ghent or Versailles Better for Families?

Ghent is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Ghent or Versailles Better for Couples?

Ghent and Versailles both great 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.

Versailles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Is Ghent or Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ghent is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Ghent or Versailles Better for Students?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not popular with students.

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.

Versailles is not popular with students.

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

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Versailles is not as popular, but is still a nice palace for its public transit.

Public transit in Ghent is top-notch. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Public transit in Versailles can get you to some places easily. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

Is Ghent or Versailles a more walkable city?

Ghent and Versailles both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Versailles is a very walkable city. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Versailles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ghent or Versailles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ghent than Versailles 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 Versailles.

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Versailles. 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 Versailles. 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 Versailles 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 Versailles?

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ghent, one day is sufficent for most.

In Versailles, many people enjoy the museums that this historic destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This palace 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 Versailles?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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

Ghent, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Versailles. 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 Versailles?

Ghent is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums around the beautiful destination of Versailles. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Versailles?

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

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 Versailles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Versailles. Many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Versailles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Ghent or Versailles in the Autumn?

Both Versailles and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Versailles because of the natural beauty of the area.

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

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Versailles during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Ghent or Versailles in the Winter?

Both Versailles and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

It's quite cold in Versailles in the winter. The weather in Ghent can be very cold. In January, Ghent is generally cooler than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Ghent or Versailles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Versailles. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Versailles for the natural beauty.

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

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Versailles during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Versailles and Ghent