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

Should you visit Manchester 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 Manchester and Ghent can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

Ghent

Ghent is a high energy, cultural, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Ghent?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Manchester is more popular for its music and big city activities, while Ghent is known for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also home to The National Football Museum. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Manchester different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Manchester or Ghent.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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 Manchester or Ghent? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Ghent offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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.

Is Manchester or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Ghent is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Manchester or Ghent Better for Music?

Manchester is a well-known place for live music. However, Ghent is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester is very popular with diverse venues. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Ghent?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Ghent both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Ghent is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Manchester or Ghent Better for Families?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Ghent Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Ghent are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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.

Is Manchester or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Ghent are good places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

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.

Is Manchester or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Manchester is a great city to visit as a student. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Ghent is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Ghent has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Manchester or Ghent a more walkable city?

Ghent is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Ghent?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Manchester. 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Ghent?

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the under-rated 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.

A weekend in Manchester or Ghent?

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

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.

Five days in Manchester or Ghent?

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

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.

A week in Manchester or Ghent?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse big city of Manchester. 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Ghent?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Ghent in the Summer?

Both Ghent and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Manchester is around the same temperature as Ghent in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ghent. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Ghent in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Ghent. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Manchester is cooler than Ghent. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Ghent averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Manchester or Ghent in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Ghent. The winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Manchester can be very cold. In January, Manchester is generally a little warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Ghent. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty.

Manchester is around the same temperature as Ghent in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives more rain than Ghent. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Manchester