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

Should you visit Antwerp or Toulon?

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

Antwerp

Antwerp is a cultural, historical, and youthful port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Antwerp and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Toulon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp than Toulon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Antwerp is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. 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. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Antwerp different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antwerp is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

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

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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!

Toulon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Antwerp offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Antwerp is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Antwerp is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is very good for the beache. However, Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Toulon?

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

Antwerp is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Antwerp or Toulon.

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.

Toulon offers lots of family activities. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for Couples?

Both Antwerp and Toulon are nice 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.

Toulon is a good port city for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp and Toulon 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 Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Antwerp or Toulon Better for Students?

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

Toulon is not popular with students.

Is Antwerp or Toulon 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 Toulon.

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 Toulon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Antwerp or Toulon a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Toulon 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.

Toulon is a very walkable destination. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Antwerp or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Antwerp than Toulon 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 Toulon.

Couples should spend more time in Antwerp than Toulon. 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 Toulon 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon, you'll find nightlife and food. This port 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Toulon has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Toulon?

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.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical 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 Toulon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Toulon, 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 Toulon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Toulon?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Antwerp or Toulon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Toulon. The summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

In July, Antwerp is generally cooler than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 17°C (63°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Toulon. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antwerp or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Toulon. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Antwerp is cooler than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. In the autumn, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. In the winter, Antwerp is much colder than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Antwerp in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during winter. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Toulon. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antwerp or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Antwerp during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Antwerp is generally much colder than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 8°C (47°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in April than Toulon. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Antwerp