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

Should you visit Antwerp or Baltimore?

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 Baltimore can help you decide which place is right for you.

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.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a colorful, historic, and vibrant 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.

Antwerp and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Baltimore?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Baltimore. While Baltimore is larger than Antwerp, Antwerp has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Antwerp is better known for its historical sights and shopping, while Baltimore is more popular for its food. Baltimore is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. Also, Antwerp is famous for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Antwerp different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Antwerp and Baltimore.

Many visitors head to Antwerp specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Baltimore can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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

Baltimore is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Antwerp is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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!

Is Antwerp or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Antwerp and Baltimore.

Antwerp is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Baltimore for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Is Antwerp or Baltimore Better for its Old Town?

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

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Antwerp. 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.

Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Baltimore?

Antwerp is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Baltimore 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 Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Is Antwerp or Baltimore Better for Families?

Baltimore is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Antwerp offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Antwerp or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Both Antwerp and Baltimore are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Antwerp makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Baltimore is a good port city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Antwerp or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Baltimore are notable 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 Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Antwerp or Baltimore Better for Students?

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

Antwerp is very popular with students. 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.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is well known for its public transit. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Baltimore has some very good public transit options. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

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 Antwerp or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Baltimore both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Antwerp and Baltimore. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 2-3 days is enough time in Baltimore.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antwerp than Baltimore 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 Baltimore?

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 Baltimore, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Antwerp or Baltimore?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural 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 Baltimore, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Baltimore has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Baltimore?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical 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.

Baltimore is a great place to explore. 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 Baltimore?

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 Baltimore. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baltimore. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Baltimore, 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 Baltimore?

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 Baltimore in the Summer?

Both Baltimore and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

Antwerp is cooler than Baltimore in the summer. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Baltimore. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antwerp. Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during summer. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In July, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antwerp or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Antwerp during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Antwerp is cooler than Baltimore. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antwerp in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Baltimore averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In the autumn, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in October than Baltimore. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Baltimore in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Baltimore. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Baltimore in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Baltimore can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. In January, Antwerp is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 3°C (38°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during winter. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antwerp or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Baltimore. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Baltimore for the activities around the city during these months.

Antwerp is cooler than Baltimore in the spring. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In the spring, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in April than Baltimore. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Antwerp