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

Should you visit Antwerp or Recife?

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

Antwerp

Antwerp is a authentic, genuine, and cultural port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Antwerp travel costs.

Recife

Recife is a under-rated, authentic, 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. See Recife travel costs.

Antwerp and Recife: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Recife?

Both Recife and Antwerp have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Antwerp is better known for its historical sights and shopping, while Recife is more popular for its beaches. Recife is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its football and music scenes. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Antwerp different from Recife?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Antwerp and Recife.

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 Recife can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is large and cultural, so there are a number of museums that you can explore. Some of the favorites include the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, the State of Pernambuco Museum, and the Recife City Museum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Antwerp and Recife can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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!

Recife has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find plenty of local restaurants around town. Grilled meat is a staple in many of the dishes and you should definitely visit a churrascaria, which is a restaurant that specializes in cooking meat in the churrasco style. Food carts are great for picking up a coxinha (a pastry), and other local dishes include camarão na moranga (pumpkin stuffed with shrimp) and picanha (sirloin cap).

Is Antwerp or Recife Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Recife for the nightlife scene. Many visitors come for Carnival, and this is the obvious time to visit if you're looking for the best parties. Even during the other times of the year, you'll find many happy hours, dance clubs, and live music to enjoy.

Is Antwerp or Recife Better for Beaches?

Recife is well known for the beach. However, Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Recife is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The city's beaches are clean and enjoyable to visit and one of the most famous is Praia de Boa Viagem. Some beaches are lined with hotels and nightclubs while others are a bit more removed. If you decide to swim, do take note that shark attacks in the area are a real concern.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Antwerp or Recife Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a well-known place for its old town. However, Recife 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.

Recife does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Recife?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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 visitors explore the shopping areas in Recife. The city has many local shops, art galleries, and larger shopping centers. Whether you're looking for clothing or a cultural souvenir, there are many places to browse.

Is Antwerp or Recife Better for Families?

Antwerp is a port city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Recife is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Antwerp is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Recife is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a couple of museums that are good for kids, like Museu do Mamulengo. There are also beaches that are relatively clean for swimming, but make sure you go where the locals go and be very aware of the water conditions.

Is Antwerp or Recife Better for Couples?

Both Antwerp and Recife are notable 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.

Recife is a good port city for couples to visit. There are beaches and restaurants that make for a nice date day. You can explore the city, visit some museums, and soak up the local culture.

Is Antwerp or Recife Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Recife are notable 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 Recife. There are a few hostels around town, but they do fill up quickly. The city is often overlooked by tourists but if you're looking for an authentic experience, then this is your place.

Is Antwerp or Recife Better for Students?

Antwerp is a well-known place for students. However, Recife is not popular with students.

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.

Recife is not popular with students.

Is Antwerp or Recife 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 Recife.

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 Recife offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has a metro system as well as city buses.

Is Antwerp or Recife a more walkable city?

Antwerp is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Recife is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Recife is generally not a very walkable port city. Parts of the city are more walkable than others. It's also best not to walk alone at night.

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

Should I spend more time in Recife or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Recife?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antwerp than Recife 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 Antwerp.

One day in Antwerp or Recife?

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 Recife, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Recife?

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 Recife, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Recife has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Recife?

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.

Recife is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Recife?

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 Recife. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Recife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Belgium, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antwerp and Recife, we can see that Recife 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 Recife is in South 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 Recife would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Recife 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 Recife Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Recife?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Recife is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Antwerp has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Antwerp or Recife in the Summer?

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

Antwerp is much colder than Recife in the summer. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Recife fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Recife during summer. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Recife receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

Recife receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Recifein January. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Recife receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Recife.

Should I visit Antwerp or Recife in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Antwerp is much colder than Recife. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antwerp in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Recife averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

In the autumn, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Recifein April. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Recife receives 185 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Recife. Antwerp usually gets less rain in October than Recifein April. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Recife receives 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Recife in the Winter?

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

Antwerp can be very cold during winter. In January, Antwerp is generally much colder than Recifein July. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 3°C (38°F), and Recife fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Recife during winter. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Recife receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. In January, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Recifein July. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Recife receives 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Recife is March to August.

Should I visit Antwerp or Recife in the Spring?

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

Antwerp is much colder than Recife in the spring. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Recife fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in October.

In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Recifein October. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Recife receives 247 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in April than Recifein October. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Recife receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to December is the dry season in Recife.

Typical Weather for Recife and Antwerp