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

Should you visit Christchurch or Antwerp?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Antwerp? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Christchurch and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Antwerp?

You'll generally find more things to do in Antwerp than Christchurch. Antwerp is bigger than Christchurch, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Antwerp is better known for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Christchurch is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Christchurch is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. 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.

How is Christchurch different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Christchurch and Antwerp.

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

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.

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

Christchurch is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

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 Christchurch or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

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

Christchurch is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

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 Christchurch or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

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

Christchurch is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Antwerp Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Antwerp?

Antwerp is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Is Christchurch or Antwerp Better for Families?

Christchurch is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Christchurch is one of the most popular family destinations. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

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 Christchurch or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Christchurch is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Antwerp is a good city 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 Christchurch or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is well known for backpackers. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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 Christchurch or Antwerp Better for Students?

Christchurch and Antwerp are great places to visit for students.

Christchurch is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Christchurch and Antwerp.

You'll find some public transit in Christchurch, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

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 Christchurch or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Christchurch and Antwerp both are great when exploring on foot.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Christchurch and Antwerp. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Christchurch than in Antwerp. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

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

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

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

One day in Christchurch or Antwerp?

In Christchurch, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Antwerp, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant port city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

A weekend in Christchurch or Antwerp?

In Christchurch, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Christchurch has to offer.

Antwerp is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Antwerp?

Christchurch 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Christchurch or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Christchurch. 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.

Antwerp is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, 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 Christchurch and Antwerp, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Antwerp?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Christchurch is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Antwerp. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Antwerpin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Antwerp in the Autumn?

Both Antwerp and Christchurch during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Antwerp in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Christchurch is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Christchurch in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

In the autumn, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Antwerpin October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Antwerpin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Antwerp. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Antwerp can be very cold during winter. In July, Christchurch is generally much warmer than Antwerpin January. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 6°C (43°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives more rain than Antwerpin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Antwerp in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Antwerp. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the activities around the city.

Christchurch is a little warmer than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In the spring, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Antwerpin April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Antwerpin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Christchurch