A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Antwerp for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

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

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a pristine, remote, and serene archipelago. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

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.

Orkney Islands and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Antwerp. Although Orkney Islands and Antwerp are both popular with visitors, Antwerp has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Antwerp is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Orkney Islands is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Orkney Islands is popular for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also home to Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Orkney Islands different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

Antwerp is great for its historical sights. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Antwerp specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Orkney Islands is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

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

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

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 Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is great for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

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

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is great for its historic old town charm. However, Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Orkney Islands. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

Antwerp is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Antwerp.

Orkney Islands offers lots of family activities. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

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 Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Orkney Islands frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

Antwerp is a good archipelago 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 Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago to visit for backpackers. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

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 Orkney Islands or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

Antwerp is very popular with students. 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.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

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

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

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

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 Orkney Islands or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Antwerp is great for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

In Orkney Islands, you'll find food and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This archipelago offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Antwerp, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

In Orkney Islands, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

Orkney Islands is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Orkney Islands has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. In Orkney Islands, you'll find museums and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the port city of Antwerp. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly 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 Orkney Islands and Antwerp, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Antwerp in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Antwerp. The summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In July, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 12°C (54°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, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Antwerp. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Antwerp in the Autumn?

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

Orkney Islands is cooler than Antwerp in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Antwerp in the Winter?

Both Antwerp and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine. Also, 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 Orkney Islands. In the winter, Orkney Islands is a little warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orkney Islands in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Antwerp averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Antwerp. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in January than Antwerp. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Antwerp in the Spring?

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

In April, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 6°C (43°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Orkney Islands