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

Should you visit Helsinki or Ghent?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Ghent can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a coastal, environmentally conscious, and waterfront city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent

Ghent is a historic, under-rated, and youthful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Helsinki and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Ghent?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Ghent than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Ghent, Ghent has more sights and attractions for tourists. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also well known for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Helsinki different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ghent and Helsinki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Ghent?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Helsinki and Ghent.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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.

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

Ghent is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a very popular place for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Ghent is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Ghent?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Helsinki and Ghent.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Helsinki or Ghent Better for Families?

Helsinki 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.

Helsinki is a very family-friendly place to visit. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Ghent Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Ghent are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Couples visit Ghent frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is Helsinki or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Ghent are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

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.

Is Helsinki or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Many students visit Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

Ghent is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

Helsinki offers a very effecient public transportation network. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Is Helsinki or Ghent a more walkable city?

Ghent is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Ghent?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Ghent. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Ghent. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ghent.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ghent than Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Ghent?

In Helsinki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this active destination offers. 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.

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.

A weekend in Helsinki or Ghent?

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

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.

Five days in Helsinki or Ghent?

Helsinki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Helsinki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

A week in Helsinki or Ghent?

You'll find food and shopping around the nature-focused destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Ghent?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Ghent, 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 Helsinki or Ghent?

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 Helsinki or Ghent in the Summer?

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

In July, Helsinki is generally around the same temperature as Ghent. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

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

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

Should I visit Helsinki or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Helsinki is much colder than Ghent in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Ghent. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ghent can be very cold during winter. Helsinki can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Ghent. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Ghent averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Ghent. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Ghent in the Spring?

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

Helsinki can be very cold during spring. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Ghent. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Helsinki