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

Should you visit Marbella or Antwerp?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Antwerp, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marbella

Marbella is a fun-filled, high energy, and ritzy resort town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, 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.

Marbella and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Antwerp?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marbella than Antwerp. While Antwerp is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Antwerp is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities. Marbella is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Also, Marbella is famous for Plaza de los Naranjos. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Marbella different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Antwerp is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Marbella and Antwerp offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Marbella has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Antwerp area. 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 Marbella or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Marbella 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 Marbella is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

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 Marbella or Antwerp Better for Music?

Marbella is well known for its live music scene. However, Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Antwerp Better for Resorts?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Antwerp is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Marbella is a perfect choice. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Antwerp is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Antwerp Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Antwerp is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Marbella is not to be missed. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Antwerp is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Antwerp is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Marbella is a very popular vacation destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its old town. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

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.

Marbella offers a nice historic old town area. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Antwerp?

Shoppers can find a variety of terrific stores in both Marbella and Antwerp.

Known for shopping, Marbella draws large crowds to its stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Antwerp is a world class destination for shoppers. 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 Marbella or Antwerp Better for Families?

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

Marbella is a very kid-friendly resort town. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

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 Marbella or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Marbella 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, Marbella has plenty to offer. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

Antwerp is a good resort town 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 Marbella or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella and Antwerp are both notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marbella. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

Antwerp is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. 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 Marbella or Antwerp Better for Students?

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

Antwerp is a great port 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.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Antwerp is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Antwerp has some 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Marbella or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Marbella and Antwerp are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

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 Marbella Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Antwerp?

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

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

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

One day in Marbella or Antwerp?

In Marbella, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The port city of Antwerp offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Antwerp?

In Marbella, you'll find shopping and nightlife. 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 Marbella has to offer.

Antwerp is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Antwerp, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Antwerp?

Marbella is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marbella has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Antwerp is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marbella or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Marbella. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Antwerp is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

When comparing the travel costs between Marbella and Antwerp, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella 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 Marbella 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 Marbella or Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Marbella during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Marbella is a little warmer than Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 25°C (77°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 Marbella. In the summer, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Antwerp. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In the autumn, Marbella is much warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marbella in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Antwerp. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. In January, Marbella is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 12°C (54°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets more rain in January than Antwerp. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city.

Marbella is much warmer than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Marbella 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 Marbella