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

Should you visit Lucerne or Antwerp?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Antwerp. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a active, cultural, and historic 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, 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.

Lucerne and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Antwerp?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than Antwerp. While Antwerp is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is more popular for its impressive beauty, while Antwerp is known for its shopping. Lucerne is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also home to The Chapel Bridge. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Antwerp and Lucerne.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lucerne. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Antwerp offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Lucerne or Antwerp? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Lucerne and Antwerp offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Lucerne is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Antwerp offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Lucerne or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Lucerne and Antwerp.

Many people head to Lucerne for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

Antwerp has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Lucerne or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the high quality old town areas in both Lucerne and Antwerp.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Antwerp?

Antwerp is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Antwerp specifically to go shopping. 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.

Lucerne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

Is Lucerne or Antwerp Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Antwerp are good family-friendly destinations.

Lucerne offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Antwerp is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Lucerne or Antwerp Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lucerne frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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 Lucerne or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

Is Lucerne or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

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.

Lucerne is a decent spot for students. Most people don't think of the city as a student town but there are some good opportunities for international students. The prices are high, but the city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that is fun to explore.

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

Lucerne and Antwerp both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Lucerne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Antwerp has a few 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 Lucerne or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Antwerp is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Lucerne is somewhat walkable. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Antwerp?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antwerp than Lucerne 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 Antwerp.

One day in Lucerne or Antwerp?

In Lucerne, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

In Antwerp, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Lucerne or Antwerp?

In Lucerne, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Lucerne has to offer.

In Antwerp, you'll find food and shopping. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Antwerp has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Antwerp?

Lucerne is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Antwerp is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A week in Lucerne or Antwerp?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Antwerp. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, 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 Lucerne and Antwerp, we can see that Lucerne 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne 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 Lucerne Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Antwerp in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Antwerp. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Antwerp in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antwerp. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Antwerp. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Antwerp in the Autumn?

Both Antwerp and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Antwerp in the Winter?

Both Antwerp and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Antwerp can be very cold. Lucerne can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Antwerp averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Antwerp. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Antwerp in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Antwerp. The spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In April, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Lucerne