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

Should you visit Inverness or Ghent?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Ghent can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent

Ghent is a high energy, cultural, and historic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Inverness and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Ghent?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ghent. Although Inverness and Ghent are popular destinations, Ghent has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ghent is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Inverness attracts visitors for its small town charm. Inverness is more touristy than Ghent and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also well known for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Inverness different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Inverness and Ghent.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ghent can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Inverness or Ghent? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Inverness and Ghent.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

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.

Is Inverness or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Ghent is a must-see 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Inverness or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a well-known place for its old town. However, Inverness 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.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Ghent?

Both Inverness and Ghent are high quality shopping destinations.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

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.

Is Inverness or Ghent Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or Ghent.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

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 Inverness or Ghent Better for Couples?

Ghent is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Inverness or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ghent is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ghent is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is terrific for students. However, Inverness is not popular with 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.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Ghent is terrific for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Ghent can take you anywhere. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Ghent a more walkable city?

Inverness and Ghent both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Ghent?

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

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Inverness. 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 Inverness. 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Ghent?

In Inverness, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Ghent?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Ghent?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Ghent. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Ghent?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Inverness. 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 popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Ghent?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness or Ghent?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Inverness or Ghent in the Summer?

Both Ghent and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Inverness in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Inverness is generally cooler than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 14°C (58°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Ghent. Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives less rain than Ghent. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Inverness or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent and Inverness during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Inverness is cooler than Ghent in the autumn. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Ghent. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Ghent in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Ghent. The winter months attract visitors to Inverness because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. The weather in Inverness can be very cold. In the winter, Inverness is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the winter temperatures in Inverness in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Ghent averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Ghent. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Inverness or Ghent in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Ghent. The small town charm are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty.

In April, Inverness is generally cooler than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 7°C (44°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Ghent. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Inverness