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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Antwerp?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Antwerp can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

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 food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Antwerp?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Antwerp, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Edinburgh is better known for its museums & sights, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Antwerp is more popular for its food and shopping. Edinburgh is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Edinburgh different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is well known for its theatre productions. However, Antwerp is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Antwerp is not a theatre destination.

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

Antwerp is a port city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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!

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Antwerp.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Antwerp is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh 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, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 Edinburgh or Antwerp?

Antwerp is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Is Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for Families?

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

Edinburgh is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or Antwerp Better for Students?

Both Edinburgh and Antwerp are superb destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and Antwerp.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Antwerp. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Antwerp. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Antwerp?

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Antwerp. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Antwerp has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Antwerp?

In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Antwerp?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the genuine port city of Antwerp. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. 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.

Antwerp is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Edinburgh is cooler than Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Antwerp. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Antwerp in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Antwerp in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Antwerp in the winter. The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. In January, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Antwerp. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the activities around the city.

Edinburgh is cooler than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Edinburgh