A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antwerp vs. Anchorage for Attractions, Nightlife, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Antwerp or Anchorage?

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 Antwerp and Anchorage can help you decide which place is right for you.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a cultural, historical, and youthful port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a scenic, breathtaking, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Antwerp and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Anchorage?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Anchorage. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Antwerp is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Anchorage is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Antwerp is famous for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also well known for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Antwerp different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Antwerp is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Antwerp and Anchorage can be an enjoyable experience.

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!

Anchorage is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Antwerp or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

Antwerp offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Antwerp or Anchorage Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

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.

Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Is Antwerp or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Anchorage specifically for its hiking. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Anchorage?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Antwerp is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Antwerp or Anchorage Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Antwerp or Anchorage.

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.

Anchorage offers lots of family activities. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Antwerp or Anchorage Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Anchorage frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Antwerp is a good port 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 Antwerp or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Anchorage are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Antwerp is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Antwerp or Anchorage Better for Students?

Antwerp is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Antwerp. 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.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Antwerp is a port city with good options for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Antwerp has a few public transit options. 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.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Antwerp or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Antwerp is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable port city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Anchorage?

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

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

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

One day in Antwerp or Anchorage?

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.

In Anchorage, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

A weekend in Antwerp or Anchorage?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic 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.

In Anchorage, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Anchorage has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the youthful 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.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A week in Antwerp or Anchorage?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Anchorage. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antwerp and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Antwerp much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antwerp is in Europe and Anchorage 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 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage 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 Antwerp Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Anchorage?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Anchorage, 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 Antwerp or Anchorage?

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 Antwerp or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Anchorage. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Anchorage in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Antwerp is generally a little warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 17°C (63°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during summer. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antwerp or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Anchorage. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Anchorage for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during autumn. Antwerp is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

In the autumn, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in October than Anchorage. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. Antwerp can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Antwerp is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Antwerp in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during winter. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antwerp or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Antwerp during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the spring. In April, Antwerp is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 8°C (47°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Antwerp