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

Should you visit Athens or Antwerp?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Antwerp. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a vibrant, energetic, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Athens and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Antwerp?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Antwerp, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Antwerp is known for its shopping. Athens is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Antwerp and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Antwerp?

Athens 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 Athens are among the most recognizable in the world. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

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 Athens or Antwerp? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Athens has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

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 Athens or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Athens 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 Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

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 Athens or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Athens offers plenty to see. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Many visitors go to Antwerp to see the historical old town. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Antwerp?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Antwerp specifically to go shopping. 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.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Antwerp Better for Families?

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

Athens is a very kid-friendly city. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

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 Athens or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Athens and Antwerp both good destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Antwerp is a nice destination for couples. 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 Athens or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Is Athens or Antwerp Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Antwerp are high quality places to visit.

Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Antwerp is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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 Athens or Antwerp Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens 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.

Athens has some very good public transit options. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

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 Athens or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Athens and Antwerp are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Athens?

How long in Athens or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Antwerp. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Antwerp. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

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

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

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

One day in Athens or Antwerp?

Because Athens 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.

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.

A weekend in Athens or Antwerp?

Because Athens 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.

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.

Five days in Athens or Antwerp?

Athens 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 Athens has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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.

A week in Athens or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Antwerp?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Antwerp, 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 Athens or Antwerp?

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 Athens or Antwerp in the Summer?

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

In July, Athens is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antwerp. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Antwerp in the Autumn?

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

Athens is much warmer than Antwerp in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Antwerp in the Winter?

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

The weather in Antwerp can be very cold. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Antwerp averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Antwerp. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Antwerp in the Spring?

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

In April, Athens is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Athens