A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Antwerp for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Old Town

Should you visit Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Antwerp, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a historic, canal-lined, and party-oriented city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a authentic, genuine, and cultural port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

You'll generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Antwerp. Amsterdam is bigger than Antwerp, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is better known for its nightlife, music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Antwerp is more popular for its food and shopping. Amsterdam is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Amsterdam different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Antwerp.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Antwerp. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

Is the Food Better in Amsterdam or Antwerp? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Antwerp is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Antwerp. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Many people head to Antwerp for the nightlife scene. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Amsterdam The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam and Antwerp both have excellent historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Antwerp is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Antwerp make it a world-class shopping destination. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for Families?

Antwerp is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Antwerp. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Antwerp is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

It's common for backpackers to visit Antwerp. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Antwerp is a great port city to visit as a student. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

While Antwerp offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Amsterdam or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Antwerp is a very walkable destination. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

For even more information, also check out Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Antwerp. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Antwerp. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Antwerp 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Antwerp. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Antwerp has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the youthful destination of Antwerp. 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 port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural port city of Antwerp. 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 shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Antwerp 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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Antwerp, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Antwerp much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antwerp would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antwerp 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Antwerp.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Antwerp?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Antwerp, 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 Amsterdam or Antwerp?

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 Amsterdam or Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Antwerp. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Antwerp in the Autumn?

Both Antwerp and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is cooler than Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Antwerp. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Antwerp. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Antwerp in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Antwerp. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city.

Amsterdam is cooler than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Antwerp. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Amsterdam