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

Should you visit Antwerp or Dusseldorf?

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 Dusseldorf 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a cultural, vibrant, and historic 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 Dusseldorf: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Dusseldorf?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Dusseldorf. While Dusseldorf is larger than Antwerp, Antwerp has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Antwerp is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Dusseldorf attracts visitors for its food. Dusseldorf is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany. 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 Dusseldorf?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antwerp is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Dusseldorf offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

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

Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

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 Dusseldorf Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Antwerp know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Dusseldorf has a few options to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

Is Antwerp or Dusseldorf Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp and Dusseldorf are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Dusseldorf to see the historical old town. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Dusseldorf?

Antwerp is very popular for shopping. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Dusseldorf. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Is Antwerp or Dusseldorf Better for Families?

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

Dusseldorf is a very kid-friendly city. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

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 Dusseldorf Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Dusseldorf frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

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 Dusseldorf Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

Is Antwerp or Dusseldorf Better for Students?

Antwerp is a great destination for students. However, Dusseldorf is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Dusseldorf is not popular with students.

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

Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

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 Dusseldorf a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Dusseldorf both are high quality 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.

Dusseldorf is a very walkable destination. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dusseldorf or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Dusseldorf?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Antwerp and Dusseldorf. 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 Dusseldorf.

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the historical port city of Antwerp, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Antwerp, one day is sufficent for most.

In Dusseldorf, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Antwerp or Dusseldorf?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Antwerp, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

In Dusseldorf, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Dusseldorf has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Dusseldorf?

Antwerp, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Dusseldorf is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Dusseldorf?

Antwerp is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dusseldorf. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dusseldorf. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Munich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Dusseldorf?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Dusseldorf, 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 Dusseldorf?

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 Dusseldorf in the Summer?

Both Dusseldorf and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dusseldorf for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Antwerp is generally around the same temperature as Dusseldorf. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 17°C (63°F), and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antwerp. Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf during summer. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Dusseldorf. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antwerp or Dusseldorf in the Autumn?

Both Dusseldorf and Antwerp during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dusseldorf because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Antwerp is around the same temperature as Dusseldorf in the autumn. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Antwerp often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 112 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in October than Dusseldorf. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Dusseldorf in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Dusseldorf. The winter months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dusseldorf in the winter. The weather in Antwerp can be very cold. In the winter, Antwerp is a little warmer than Dusseldorf. Typically, the winter temperatures in Antwerp in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dusseldorf averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf during winter. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Dusseldorf. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antwerp or Dusseldorf in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Dusseldorf. The activities around the city are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the activities around the city.

In April, Antwerp is generally around the same temperature as Dusseldorf. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 8°C (47°F), and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Antwerp often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 155 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in April than Dusseldorf. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dusseldorf and Antwerp