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

Should you visit Ghent or Toronto?

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 Toronto. 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 historic, under-rated, and youthful city. Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ghent travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Ghent and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Toronto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toronto than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Ghent is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Toronto is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Toronto 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 Toronto that are not to be missed. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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 Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Ghent and Toronto both to be very good destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Toronto has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is Ghent or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Both Ghent and Toronto are fantastic when it comes to partying.

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.

The nightlife in Toronto is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Is Ghent or Toronto Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Toronto?

Toronto is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Ghent is well-known for its shopping. 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 Ghent or Toronto More Beautiful?

Ghent is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its medieval architecture and beautiful waterfront areas, the city has a lot to offer.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ghent or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto 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.

Toronto is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

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 Ghent or Toronto Better for Couples?

Ghent and Toronto both very good 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.

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Is Ghent or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Ghent or Toronto Better for Students?

Ghent and Toronto are both fantastic destinations for students and younger travelers.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit 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 frequent Toronto. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

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

Both Ghent and Toronto offer fantastic public transit options.

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.

Visitors in Toronto can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Is Ghent or Toronto a more walkable city?

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

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

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Toronto?

Both Ghent and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Ghent. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Ghent 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 Toronto.

One day in Ghent or Toronto?

In Ghent, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Each neighborhood in Toronto 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.

A weekend in Ghent or Toronto?

In Ghent, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ghent has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Toronto?

Ghent is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Toronto is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Ghent or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ghent. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Budget Tours to Belgium, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ghent is in Europe and Toronto is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Ghent is cooler than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ghent. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Toronto. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Toronto. The autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

In the autumn, Ghent is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Toronto. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Toronto. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. In January, Ghent is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the spring for the activities around the city.

Ghent is a little warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Toronto. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Ghent