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

Should you visit Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a accessible, bustling, and historic 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.

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.

Heraklion and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Antwerp?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Heraklion than Antwerp. While Antwerp is larger than Heraklion, Heraklion has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heraklion is better known for its food and beaches, while Antwerp is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Heraklion is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Heraklion is famous for The Palace of Knossos. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Heraklion different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Heraklion and Antwerp.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Heraklion. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Antwerp. 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 Heraklion or Antwerp? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Heraklion 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 Heraklion. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

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 Heraklion or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

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

Heraklion has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

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 Heraklion or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

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

Heraklion is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Antwerp is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Antwerp?

Antwerp is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Heraklion 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.

Many visitors go to Heraklion to go shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Is Heraklion or Antwerp Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Antwerp are notable to visit with kids.

Heraklion is a family-friendly city. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

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.

Is Heraklion or Antwerp Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Heraklion frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

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 Heraklion or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Heraklion is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

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 Heraklion or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

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

Heraklion has some public transit options. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

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 Heraklion or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Antwerp are superb when it comes to walkability.

Heraklion is a very walkable city. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

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 Heraklion Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Heraklion and Antwerp. In our opinion, Heraklion has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Heraklion than Antwerp. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Heraklion or Antwerp?

In Heraklion, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Heraklion or Antwerp?

In Heraklion, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heraklion has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic 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 Heraklion or Antwerp?

Heraklion 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural 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 Heraklion or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Heraklion. 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 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 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Antwerp, we can see that Heraklion 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion 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 Heraklion Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Antwerp in the Summer?

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

Heraklion is a little warmer than Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Antwerp. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene 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, Heraklion is much warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Antwerp. The winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, 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. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Antwerp. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Antwerp in the Spring?

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

Heraklion is much warmer than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Heraklion