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

Should you visit Antwerp or Mainz?

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

Antwerp

Antwerp is a vibrant, authentic, and genuine port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a charming, beautiful, and peaceful town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Antwerp and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Mainz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Mainz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Antwerp is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mainz attracts visitors for its food and impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. 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 Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antwerp is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Mainz 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 Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

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 Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Antwerp has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Antwerp or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp and Mainz 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 Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Mainz?

Antwerp is terrific for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Antwerp. 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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Antwerp or Mainz Better for Families?

Antwerp is a port city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Antwerp is a family-friendly port city. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Antwerp or Mainz Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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 Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Mainz 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 Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Antwerp or Mainz Better for Students?

Antwerp and Mainz are superb places to visit for 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.

Mainz is a great port city to visit as a student. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Mainz 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.

Mainz has some very good public transit options. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

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 Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Antwerp or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

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

One day in Antwerp or Mainz?

In Antwerp, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this genuine destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the shopping. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Mainz, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town 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 Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Mainz, 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 Mainz has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Mainz?

Antwerp is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Antwerp. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Mainz 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 Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mainz. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Mainz?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Mainz. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Mainz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

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

Should I visit Antwerp or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Antwerp is a little warmer than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Should I visit Antwerp or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Antwerp during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Mainz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Mainz can be very cold. Antwerp can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Antwerp is much warmer than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Antwerp in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).

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

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

Should I visit Antwerp or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Mainz. The spring months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

In April, Antwerp is generally cooler than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 8°C (47°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Mainz and Antwerp