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

Should you visit Bali or Antwerp?

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 Bali and Antwerp can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

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.

Bali and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Antwerp?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bali than Antwerp, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Antwerp is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Bali different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Antwerp is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

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 Bali or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Bali 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 Bali is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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 Bali or Antwerp Better for Resorts?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Antwerp is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Bali is a perfect choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Antwerp is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Antwerp Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Antwerp is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali is not to be missed. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Antwerp is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

Bali is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Antwerp is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Bali is a very popular vacation destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a well-known place for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic 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.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Antwerp Better for Hiking?

Bali is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Antwerp?

Antwerp is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island 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 Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Is Bali or Antwerp Better for Families?

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

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

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 Bali or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Antwerp is a good island 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 Bali or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali 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 Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

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 Bali or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is a well-known place for students. However, Bali 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.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Antwerp Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bali and Antwerp offer notable public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Antwerp has some public transit options. 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 Bali or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Antwerp is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island 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.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Bali?

How long in Bali or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Antwerp. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Antwerp. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

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

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

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

One day in Bali or Antwerp?

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Antwerp. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bali or Antwerp?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Antwerp is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Antwerp?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the youthful destination of Antwerp. This port city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The historical port city of Antwerp offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Antwerp, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Antwerp is in Europe, 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 Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Antwerp would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antwerp than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Antwerp in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Antwerp. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

Bali is much warmer than Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antwerp this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bali as well as Antwerp. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Bali is much warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in October than Antwerp. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Antwerp in the Winter?

Both Antwerp and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Antwerp in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Antwerp can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

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

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Bali during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Antwerp for the activities around the city during these months.

Bali is much warmer than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in April than Antwerp. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Bali