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

Should you visit Antwerp or Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a character-filled, historic, and quaint town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Antwerp and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Antwerp than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Antwerp is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg is known for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also home to Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Antwerp different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antwerp is a great port city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Heidelberg for the nightlife scene. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Antwerp or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Heidelberg offers plenty to see. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Many visitors go to Antwerp to see the historical old town. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Heidelberg?

Antwerp is an amazing port city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Antwerp or Heidelberg Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Antwerp or Heidelberg.

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.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Antwerp or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

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 Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg Better for Students?

Antwerp is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for 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.

Heidelberg is a good port city to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

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

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Antwerp or Heidelberg?

With museums and nightlife around the authentic 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 Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Heidelberg has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Heidelberg?

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.

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Heidelberg. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Heidelberg?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Antwerp during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Antwerp is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antwerp in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Antwerp. In the summer, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Antwerp is generally around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 12°C (54°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during autumn. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Antwerp or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Heidelberg. The winter months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. The weather in Antwerp can be very cold. Antwerp is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the winter. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Antwerp often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Antwerp is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antwerp in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Antwerp