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

Should you visit Antwerp or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a historical, youthful, and vibrant port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Antwerp and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Saint-Etienne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Antwerp than Saint-Etienne. Antwerp is bigger than Saint-Etienne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Antwerp is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. Also, Antwerp is famous for Antwerpen-Centraal. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Antwerp different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Antwerp is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Antwerp or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Antwerp is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Antwerp has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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!

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Saint-Etienne?

Antwerp is an amazing port city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Antwerp draws large crowds to its 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Antwerp or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Antwerp is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Antwerp is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Antwerp or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Antwerp is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable port city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Antwerp Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Antwerp or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Antwerp than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

Families should spend more time in Antwerp than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Antwerp. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical destination of Antwerp. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the port city of Antwerp. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Saint-Etienne?

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

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne 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. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Antwerp is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Antwerp. In the summer, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Saint-Etienne. Most visitors come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Antwerp is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antwerp in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Antwerp or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. The weather in Antwerp can be very cold. In January, Antwerp is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

Antwerp is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Antwerp