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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Ghent?

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 Rotterdam and Ghent. 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Rotterdam travel costs.

Ghent

Ghent is a under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. Many visitors also come to Ghent because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Ghent travel costs.

Rotterdam and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Ghent?

You'll generally find more things to do in Rotterdam than Ghent. Rotterdam is bigger than Ghent, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rotterdam is better known for its big city activities, while Ghent is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Ghent is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. Also, Rotterdam is famous for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ghent is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Ghent can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Rotterdam has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains. The city is also known for its food halls, which provide a variety of gourmet flavors from around the globe.

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.

Is Rotterdam or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Ghent has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is Rotterdam or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is great for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Ghent?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Ghent both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Rotterdam or Ghent More Beautiful?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Rotterdam is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Ghent because of it's amazing beauty. With its medieval architecture and beautiful waterfront areas, the city has a lot to offer.

Rotterdam is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Rotterdam or Ghent Better for Families?

Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Ghent is a family-friendly port 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 Rotterdam or Ghent Better for Couples?

Ghent is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Ghent is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Rotterdam or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Ghent are notable places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to 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 Rotterdam or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

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.

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

Ghent is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Public transit in Ghent is top-notch. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Rotterdam or Ghent a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Ghent are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Ghent?

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

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

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

Each neighborhood in Rotterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This port 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 Rotterdam or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. 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 high energy 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 Rotterdam or Ghent?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the youthful 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 Rotterdam or Ghent?

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy big city of Rotterdam. 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Budget Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Ghent?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Ghent in the Summer?

Both Ghent and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

In the summer, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Ghent averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Ghent. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Ghent in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Ghent. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Ghent. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Ghent in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Ghent. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. Rotterdam is much colder than Ghent in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Ghent. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Rotterdam is cooler than Ghent. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Ghent averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Ghent. Rotterdam gets 52 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 Rotterdam