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

Should you visit London 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 London and Antwerp can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a diverse, iconic, and global city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, 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.

London and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Antwerp?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Antwerp, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Antwerp is known for its historical sights. London is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

Big Ben

How is London different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

London 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 London are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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 London or Antwerp Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for its theatre productions. However, Antwerp is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in London is world-class. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Antwerp is not a theatre destination.

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

London 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 London. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

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 London or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

London 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 London is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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 London or Antwerp Better for Music?

London 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 London Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Is London or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a great port city for its historic old town charm. However, London 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.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Antwerp?

If you're looking to go shopping, London and Antwerp both offer plenty of fantastic spots.

Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Antwerp is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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.

Is London or Antwerp Better for Christmas?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Antwerp does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, London is not to be missed. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Antwerp does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Antwerp Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Antwerp does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in London. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Antwerp does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Antwerp Better for Families?

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

London is one of the most popular family destinations. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

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 London or Antwerp Better for Couples?

London 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, London has plenty to offer. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

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 London or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London 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 London. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

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 London or Antwerp Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Antwerp is a great city to visit as a student. 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 London or Antwerp Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in London can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

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 London or Antwerp a more walkable city?

London 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 London on foot is easy. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or London?

How long in London or Antwerp?

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

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

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

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

One day in London or Antwerp?

Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 London or Antwerp?

Because London 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. 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 London or Antwerp?

London is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that London 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 London or Antwerp?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful 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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, 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 London and Antwerp, we can see that London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, London or Antwerp?

London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London 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 London or Antwerp in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Antwerp. The summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In July, London is generally around the same temperature as Antwerp. Daily temperatures in London average around 18°C (64°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antwerp. In the summer, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Antwerp in the Autumn?

Both Antwerp and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

London is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the autumn. The daily temperature in London averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Antwerp. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Antwerp in the Winter?

Both Antwerp and London during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in London. In the winter, London is a little warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the winter temperatures in London in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Antwerp averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, London often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in January than Antwerp. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Antwerp in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Antwerp. Many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Antwerp for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, London is generally around the same temperature as Antwerp. Daily temperatures in London average around 9°C (48°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Antwerp. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and London