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

Should you visit Murren 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 Murren 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.

Murren

Murren is a authentic, breathtaking, and stunning town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a cultural, historical, and youthful port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Murren and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Murren or Antwerp?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Antwerp. Although Murren and Antwerp are popular destinations, Antwerp has more sights and attractions for tourists. Antwerp is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Murren attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Murren is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. Antwerp is famous for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also well known for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Murren different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Murren or Antwerp Better for Skiing?

Murren is an unbeatable place for winter skiing. However, Antwerp is not a skiing destination.

Murren is among the world's best ski destinations. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Antwerp is not a skiing destination.

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

Antwerp is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Murren and Antwerp can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Murren offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

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!

Is Murren or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is well known for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.

Is Murren or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is well known for its historic old town. However, Murren 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.

Murren does not have a historic old town.

Is Murren or Antwerp Better for Hiking?

Murren is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Murren specifically for its hiking. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Antwerp?

Antwerp is an amazing port city to visit for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Is Murren or Antwerp Better for Families?

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

Murren is a very kid-friendly town. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

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 Murren or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Murren 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, Murren has plenty to offer. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Antwerp is a good 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 Murren or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp is a port city with good options for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Antwerp is a good port city 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.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.

Is Murren or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is well known for students. However, Murren 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.

Murren is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Murren and Antwerp.

You'll find some public transit in Murren, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

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 Murren or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Murren 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 Murren on foot is easy. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

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 Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Murren?

How long in Murren or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Murren and Antwerp. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Murren than in Antwerp. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antwerp than Murren 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 Murren or Antwerp?

Murren is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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 Murren or Antwerp?

Murren might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Murren has to offer.

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 Murren or Antwerp?

Murren is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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.

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 Murren or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Murren. Since Murren is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Murren and Antwerp, we can see that Murren 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 Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren 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 Murren Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Murren or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 1020 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren 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.