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

Should you visit Linz 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 Linz 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.

Linz

Linz is a historic, beautiful, and cultural town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Ghent

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

Linz and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Ghent?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ghent than Linz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Linz is more touristy than Ghent and is known for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also well known for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Linz different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Linz and Ghent.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Linz. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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 Linz or Ghent? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ghent is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Linz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Linz or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Linz or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Ghent?

Both Linz and Ghent are very good shopping destinations.

Linz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

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 Linz or Ghent Better for Families?

Both Linz and Ghent are nice to visit with kids.

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Ghent is a family-friendly town. 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 Linz or Ghent Better for Couples?

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

Linz is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is Linz or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Linz and Ghent are nice destinations for backpackers.

Linz is a good town to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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 Linz or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is a world-class destination for students. However, Linz is not popular with 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.

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Ghent is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Linz has some public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Linz or Ghent a more walkable city?

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

Linz is a very walkable town. The tourist areas are easy to explore 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 Linz Worth Visiting? and Is Ghent Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Linz?

How long in Linz or Ghent?

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

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

In Linz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Linz or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Linz. 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 fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Linz or Ghent?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Ghent. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Linz or Ghent?

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

The youthful city of Ghent offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Linz or Ghent?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Linz. When comparing the sizes of Linz 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 Linz 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 Linz or Ghent in the Summer?

Both Ghent and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Linz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Linz is generally a little warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 20°C (68°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Ghent. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Linz. Linz usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during summer. Linz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Linz usually receives more rain than Ghent. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Linz or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent and Linz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Linz 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.

Linz is around the same temperature as Ghent in the autumn. The daily temperature in Linz averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Linz often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Linz gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets less rain in October than Ghent. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Ghent in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Ghent. Many visitors come to Linz 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. Linz can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Linz is much colder than Ghent. Typically, the winter temperatures in Linz in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Ghent averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Linz usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during winter. Linz gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Linz usually receives less rain than Ghent. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Linz or Ghent in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Linz as well as Ghent. Most visitors come to Linz for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty.

In April, Linz is generally a little warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 11°C (51°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Linz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Linz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets more rain in April than Ghent. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Linz