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

Should you visit Antwerp or Frankfurt?

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

Antwerp

Antwerp is a genuine, cultural, and historical port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Antwerp and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Frankfurt?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt than Antwerp, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Frankfurt is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Antwerp is known for its historical sights and shopping. Frankfurt is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

The Old Town Center

How is Antwerp different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Frankfurt for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Antwerp or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Frankfurt?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Antwerp specifically to go shopping. 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.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Antwerp or Frankfurt Better for Families?

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

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Both Antwerp and Frankfurt are good 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.

Frankfurt is a good port city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Antwerp or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is well known for backpackers. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Frankfurt is a great city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Antwerp or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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.

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Frankfurt?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Antwerp or Frankfurt?

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.

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Frankfurt?

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.

Because Frankfurt 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Frankfurt, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Antwerp or Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt this time of year.

In the summer, Antwerp is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antwerp in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antwerp this time of the year. In the summer, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Frankfurt. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Antwerp is generally a little warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 12°C (54°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during autumn. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Antwerp or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Antwerp during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. Antwerp is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Antwerp often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Antwerp is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antwerp in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during spring. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Antwerp