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

Should you visit Antwerp or Galway?

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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a lively, friendly, and cultural 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 Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Galway?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. 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. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Antwerp different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antwerp is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway 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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Antwerp and Galway 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!

Galway is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Antwerp or Galway Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Galway for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Antwerp or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Galway?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Galway 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 Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Antwerp or Galway Better for Families?

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

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.

Galway offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Antwerp or Galway Better for Couples?

Both Antwerp and Galway are nice 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.

Galway is a good port city for couples to visit. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Antwerp or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Galway is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway Better for Students?

Antwerp is notable for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Antwerp and Galway.

You'll find some public transit in Antwerp, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

While Galway offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Antwerp or Galway a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Galway both are superb 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.

Galway is a very walkable destination. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Antwerp and Galway. In our opinion, Antwerp has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Antwerp than Galway. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 2-3 days is enough time in Galway.

Families should spend more time in Antwerp than Galway. 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 Galway. 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.

One day in Antwerp or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Galway, 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 Galway?

Antwerp is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Galway, 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 Galway has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Galway 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 Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Antwerp. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galway. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Galway. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Galway, we can see that Galway 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 Galway Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Galway?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

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

In July, Antwerp is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 17°C (63°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antwerp usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Galway. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antwerp or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Galway. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Antwerp is around the same temperature as Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Antwerp often gets more sunshine than Galway. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Antwerp usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway 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 Galway because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Antwerp can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Antwerp is much colder than Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Antwerp in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Galway during winter. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Galway. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antwerp or Galway in the Spring?

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

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

In the spring, Antwerp often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in April than Galway. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Antwerp