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

Should you visit Antwerp or Montreal?

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 Montreal 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.

Montreal

Montreal is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Antwerp and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Montreal?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montreal than Antwerp, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Montreal is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also home to Notre-Dame Basilica. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Antwerp different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Montreal is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Montreal are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with world-class museums and historic sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, and the Fine Arts Museum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Antwerp can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Montreal 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 Montreal. There are both local and international restaurants that serve up excellent dishes. Some of the local recipes that you should try include tourtiere (a meat pie), a smoked meat sandwich, and, of course, poutine.

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 Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Montreal is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city's nightlife scene is centered around its live music scene, which is excellent. There are also many bars and clubs, as well as a young population that keep evenings lively.

Many people head to Antwerp for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Antwerp or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Montreal The music scene is thriving and world class. One of the most unique aspects of the city's music scene is its impromptu nature. You'll find many talented street performers and you'll likely stumble into many high quality performers. There's also a great indie scene as well as hip hop, classical, jazz, and heavy metal at the many live music venues.

Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Is Antwerp or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp and Montreal 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 Montreal to see the historical old town. Vieux-Montreal is the historic part of the city, and it's filled with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. This is also where you'll find the Old Port, which has a waterfront promenade.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Montreal?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Montreal and Antwerp.

The abundance of shops in Antwerp make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many people travel to Montreal specifically to go shopping. It's known for its fashion scene and there are many independent and local vendors around town. Bonsecours Market is both historic and fascinating, but also make sure you check out Mont-Royal Avenue, which is the main shopping and dining street in town.

Is Antwerp or Montreal Better for Families?

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

Montreal is a very kid-friendly city. Kids and teens will love the many science museums, parks and gardens, and the nearby La Ronde Amusement Park. If your kids are music lovers, there are many talented street performers in the city that will entertain the young and old alike.

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 Montreal Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Montreal frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with romance, from the world class music scene to the romantic restaurants and sunset river cruises. If you're in town during the fall months, check out the Botanical Gardens, which come to life with the annual Gardens of Light.

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 Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Montreal are good 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 Montreal. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other travelers.

Is Antwerp or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal 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 Montreal. It's regularly ranked as one of the top cities in North America for students. There are many students around town, a great nightlife scene, and plenty of opportunities to receive a world-class education.

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 Montreal Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Montreal 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.

Montreal has some very good public transit options. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

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 Montreal a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Montreal 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.

Montreal is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable, particularly in the areas that are popular with tourists.

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

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Montreal?

In either Antwerp or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than Antwerp because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

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

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

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

One day in Antwerp or Montreal?

The port city of Antwerp offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

Antwerp is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Antwerp, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Because Montreal 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Antwerp or Montreal?

Antwerp is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Montreal is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Montreal has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Antwerp or Montreal?

Antwerp is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montreal. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Montreal. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Budget Tours to Belgium, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antwerp and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Antwerp much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antwerp is in Europe and Montreal is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Montreal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montreal 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 Montreal Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Montreal?

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

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 Montreal in the Summer?

Both Montreal and Antwerp during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.

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

In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Antwerp. In the summer, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in July than Montreal. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Montreal in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Montreal. 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 Montreal for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Antwerp is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 12°C (54°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Antwerp or Montreal in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Montreal. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Montreal in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Montreal can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. Antwerp is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Montreal in the Spring?

Both Montreal and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Montreal for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Antwerp is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antwerp in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during spring. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Montreal. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Antwerp