Ghent or Bruges: Which City Suits You Best?

Ghent or Bruges? Both are excellent choices for a weekend away, but they feel very different. Ghent has the character of a lively student city, with different neighbourhoods, restaurants and plenty of nightlife. Bruges is more about a compact historic centre, atmospheric streets and walks along the canals. Still deciding between more cities? Then also take a look at our guide to fun city breaks in Europe.

Which city suits you best mainly depends on what you want to do together. A weekend with friends full of shops, restaurants and cocktails may call for Ghent. If you mainly want to walk, take your time over dinner and not plan too much with your partner, you may feel right at home in Bruges. In this comparison we look at atmosphere, culture, food, nightlife, shopping, getting there, budget and length of stay. With those preferences in mind, you can then use MyTripMatcher to discover which city break suits you best.

Ghent or Bruges at a glance

Choose Ghent if restaurants, shopping, museums and a lively evening matter to you. Choose Bruges if you love walking, want to see a lot of history in a short time and are mainly looking for a relaxed atmosphere.

There is no objective winner, by the way. Bruges can get quite busy in the middle of the day, while Ghent can feel intimate and atmospheric at a quiet moment. The difference is mainly in how you want to spend your weekend.

What is the biggest difference between Ghent and Bruges?

Ghent is a historic city that is also very much alive. Around the Graslei, Korenlei and the Gravensteen you will find beautiful old buildings, but a little further on there are shops, art, student bars and neighbourhoods with their own character. That makes Ghent perfect for a weekend where you can do something different every day.

Bruges feels more compact. Many famous spots, such as the Markt, the Burg, the Rozenhoedkaai and the Begijnhof, are on one logical walking route. You need to think less about which neighbourhood to visit. The old town itself is a big part of the experience.

That is also why choosing based on pretty photos alone is tricky. Both cities have canals, historic facades and good restaurants. The real question is whether you are looking for lots of variety or would rather stroll through a compact city at a relaxed pace.

Which city has the best sights?

Ghent: historic highlights and more cultural variety

The Gravensteen, St Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry and the Graslei and Korenlei are close together. A walk through the centre already shows you a lot of historic Ghent.

After that you can choose a different programme. STAM tells the story of the city, while the MSK and S.M.A.K. are interesting for art lovers. Patershol, St Michael's Bridge and the various squares are also well worth a visit. Ghent is especially strong if you want to combine history with museums, shops and bars and restaurants beyond the same few streets.

Bruges: the historic city centre is the sight

In Bruges, sightseeing and wandering around almost naturally blend into one. From the Markt and the Burg you walk to the Rozenhoedkaai, the Begijnhof and Minnewater. Along the way you come across little bridges, old houses and small squares that are at least as lovely as the famous highlights.

If you also want to visit museums, the Groeninge Museum and the Gruuthuse Museum are interesting choices. Bruges suits travellers who mainly enjoy architecture, history and a beautiful cityscape, without needing a full programme.

The choice: Ghent offers more cultural variety; Bruges makes it easier to get a feel for a historic city in a short time.

Ghent or Bruges for restaurants and good food?

If you love good food, both cities have you covered. The difference is mainly in how spread out the options are and the atmosphere around them.

In Ghent, Patershol is a lovely neighbourhood for dinner in one of its narrow streets. Around Oudburg, Sint-Jacobs, Vrijdagmarkt and the Korenmarkt you will also find a wide range of restaurants and cafés. It is a great destination if you like discovering a new neighbourhood, having lunch somewhere and picking yet another spot for a drink in the evening.

In Bruges you will find plenty of restaurants within the historic centre, from Flemish classics and beer cafés to fine dining. The compact layout makes it easy to combine a long lunch, a walk along the water and a special dinner. So for a relaxed two-day food trip, Bruges has a lot to offer.

For maximum choice and variety in restaurants, Ghent has a slight edge. For a weekend where atmosphere and long dinners matter more than visiting lots of different neighbourhoods, Bruges is just as good. If restaurants and wine are your main reason to travel, you can use the same preferences to compare other food destinations too.

Where is the better nightlife: Ghent or Bruges?

For an evening that carries on long after dinner, Ghent is the strongest choice. Overpoort has a distinct student vibe; around Vlasmarkt and Oude Beestenmarkt the mix of bars and music is more varied. Beyond student life there are also plenty of places for cocktails and a long night out.

Bruges is certainly not deserted once the shops close. You will find beer cafés, wine bars and cosy places for a drink. The nightlife is just smaller and less spread out than in Ghent. If you want to round off a long dinner with a quiet walk or a glass of wine, that is exactly what you will enjoy.

Which city is more romantic?

Bruges has the most obviously romantic feel. The historic streets, bridges and canals are close together. Especially in the evening, when many day visitors have left, a walk through the old town becomes extra atmospheric. A quiet hotel, a long dinner and a few beautiful walks are all you need for a lovely weekend together.

Ghent is a less obvious choice, but certainly no less suitable for couples. The evening lights around the Graslei and Korenlei, St Michael's Bridge and the restaurants in Patershol create plenty of atmosphere. The difference is that it is also easier to add museums, shopping and a lively evening programme.

Bruges suits romance without much planning. Ghent suits romance with more variety. Want to compare other destinations for two as well? Take a look at our article on a romantic weekend away.

Ghent or Bruges for shopping?

For a long afternoon of shopping, Ghent has the edge. Veldstraat and Langemunt offer well-known shops, while in smaller streets and neighbourhoods around Sint-Jacobs you can find more unusual addresses, design and vintage. The shopping area is bigger and more varied.

In Bruges, many shops are on or close to the route between the Markt and't Zand. Think of Steenstraat, Zuidzandstraat and the surrounding side streets. That makes it easy to alternate shopping with a museum, a coffee or a walk along the water.

Really want to spend an afternoon shopping? Then Ghent is the better fit. Prefer to pop into a shop now and then while exploring a beautiful city? Then Bruges is just as enjoyable.

Ghent or Bruges for a girls' weekend?

For a girls' weekend with shopping, restaurants and cocktails, Ghent is the obvious choice. There are plenty of different neighbourhoods to explore together, and you can easily combine an afternoon of shopping with a long dinner and a night out.

Bruges, on the other hand, works well for friends who mainly want to catch up, walk, have brunch and enjoy a cosy dinner together. Because the city centre is compact, there is little to organise. That also makes the city pleasant if not everyone travels at the same pace.

So first discuss what kind of weekend you want, not just which city looks best in photos. With a group, room sharing, a shared budget and different preferences also come into play. You can read more about that in our guide to a girls'weekend.

Which city is better for a weekend with your partner?

With your partner, both cities work well. Bruges has the advantage when you are mainly looking for an atmospheric setting, a good hotel and a relaxed programme. A lot is within walking distance, and you can easily adapt your plans to the weather or your mood.

Ghent is more appealing if you want to fill two days actively. Think of a museum, a different neighbourhood, a special restaurant and a bar after dinner. You don't have to plan everything in advance, but there are plenty of options when you do want to do something.

So it is less about which city is more romantic and more about the pace you enjoy. That combination of atmosphere, activities, length of stay and budget is also what MyTripMatcher helps you with: choosing a destination based on what you want to experience, not on how famous it is.

Which city is easier to reach from the Netherlands?

Ghent and Bruges are both very easy to reach for a short train trip. From many Dutch stations Ghent is slightly faster, but for both destinations a change is normal.

These are indicative fastest journey times. Timetables, changes and engineering works vary by date. So check the full journey, including your arrival time at the hotel, when planning a short weekend.

By train

In Ghent, Gent-Sint-Pieters station is not right next to the main sights. You still travel by tram or bus to the historic centre. In Bruges you can walk from the station to the Markt in about twenty minutes; the bus is also an option.

The difference in arrival time doesn't have to decide your choice. A slightly longer train journey to Bruges can be well worth it if the atmosphere suits you much better. And if you would like to travel without flying more often, read our guide to city breaks by train.

By car

Both are possible by car, but parking in the middle of the historic centres is not always practical. Ghent has a low emission zone and traffic restrictions in the centre. Parts of the city centre in Bruges are also low-traffic. So check the rules for your car in advance, and look for parking at the hotel or on the edge of town.

Is Ghent or Bruges cheaper?

Neither city is always the cheapest. Train tickets, your choice of hotel, public holidays and events can have more influence than the difference between Ghent and Bruges.

Because of its size, Ghent has different neighbourhoods with hotels in a wide range of price categories. Bruges has many atmospheric hotels in the historic centre, but a popular Saturday there can be quite pricey. With flexible travel dates, booking early or a hotel just outside the busiest streets, you can save money in both cities.

Indicative budget for two nights

These are broad planning estimates per person for two travellers sharing a room, including the train journey, hotel, meals and one paid activity. They are not current offers. Compare the total price of the weekend above all, not just the price of a hotel room.

Also think about what you want to spend your money on. More budget for restaurants and going out? Then Ghent may be appealing. Should an atmospheric stay be a bigger part of the experience? Then Bruges may suit you better, even if the room costs a little more.

Day trip or weekend: how much time do you need?

One day: Bruges has a slight edge

Thanks to its compact centre, Bruges is very well suited to a day trip. The Markt, Burg, canals, Rozenhoedkaai and Begijnhof are easy to combine in one walking route. Ghent can also be done in a day, but there you need to choose more carefully which neighbourhoods and sights you want to see.

Two nights: ideal for both cities

With two nights you usually have three calendar days. In Ghent that is enough for culture, restaurants, shopping and perhaps a night out. In Bruges you can visit the famous spots without filling the whole weekend, and you also get to experience the city after many day-trippers have left.

Three nights: extra room for Ghent or a day out

With three nights, Ghent becomes appealing if you like to explore different neighbourhoods and plan several activities. In Bruges an extra day mainly brings more calm, or time for a museum, cycling or a trip to another town.

Can you combine Ghent and Bruges in one weekend?

Yes. The cities are only about half an hour apart by direct train. If you have at least two nights, you can easily stay in one city and visit the other as a day trip. You don't need to change hotels for that.

Example: three days with Ghent as your base

Day 1, Ghent: arrival, walk along the Graslei and Korenlei, dinner in Patershol.

Day 2, Ghent: Gravensteen or a museum, shopping, lunch and a cosy bar in the evening.

Day 3, Bruges: train to Bruges, historic walk, lunch and then back to the Netherlands.

If a quiet evening in a historic centre matters most to you, you can choose Bruges as your base and visit Ghent during the day. Most trains take about 25 to 35 minutes; check the departure times for your travel date in the NMBS journey planner.

If you only have one night, combining the two is less sensible. Choose one city and really enjoy it, rather than constantly keeping an eye on the clock.

Ghent or Bruges by season

Spring

Both cities are lovely in spring. The terraces come back to life and walking is more pleasant as the days get longer. Ghent is appealing for a mix of culture and bars and restaurants; Bruges for beautiful walking routes and a quiet dinner.

Summer

Ghent is full of life, terraces and events. In Bruges, the famous spots in particular are popular with visitors during the day. If you want to stroll around in peace, it is better to head to the central streets early or later in the day.

Autumn

Both cities are strong for museums, restaurants and evenings in cafés. Ghent offers a bit more variety if it rains in the afternoon. Bruges, on the other hand, keeps plenty of atmosphere in its historic streets even when it is cloudy.

Winter

In winter it is mainly about cosy restaurants, illuminated streets and indoor activities. Bruges is atmospheric for a quiet weekend, while Ghent has enough museums, cafés and restaurants to adapt your plans to the weather. Always check winter events and opening times before you leave.

Ghent or Bruges: which suits your preferences?

Still undecided? Then first make a small top three together: atmosphere, activities and budget, for example. Add the number of nights you have and how long you want to travel. That often makes the choice clearer than just looking at lists of popular destinations.

Let MyTripMatcher look beyond Ghent and Bruges

Maybe Ghent is exactly what you are looking for. Or Bruges. But it could also be that you mainly want a historic city with good restaurants, or a lively destination where you can shop and go out with friends. Then there are probably more options than just these two Belgian cities.

With MyTripMatcher you therefore start with your own preferences: who you travel with, number of nights, budget and the things you love to do. Based on that, you can discover trips that fit without endlessly comparing destinations first.

Know what kind of weekend you want? Enter your preferences and discover which city break fits.

Discover your city break

Frequently asked questions about Ghent or Bruges

Ghent or Bruges: which will you choose?

Ghent is a strong match if you love discovering different neighbourhoods, eating out, shopping and heading out in the evening. Bruges suits you better if a compact historic centre, beautiful walks and a relaxed weekend matter most.

Can't choose? With enough time, you can even combine both cities in one weekend. In the end, a great city break is not about the most famous destination, but about a place that matches what you want.

Discover with MyTripMatcher which city break suits you.

With Love, team MTM