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

Should you visit Southampton or Antwerp?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Antwerp? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Southampton

Southampton is a waterfront, dynamic, and up-and-coming port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Southampton and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Antwerp?

You'll generally find more things to do in Antwerp than Southampton. Antwerp is bigger than Southampton, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Antwerp is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Southampton is more popular for its impressive beauty. Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. Also, Antwerp is famous for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Southampton different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Antwerp is a great port city for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

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

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

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

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 Southampton or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is a great port city for nightlife and partying. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Antwerp has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Is Southampton or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a great port city for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

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.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Antwerp?

Antwerp is an amazing port city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Antwerp draws large crowds to its 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.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Antwerp Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Southampton or Antwerp.

Southampton offers lots of family activities. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

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 Southampton or Antwerp Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Southampton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

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

Antwerp is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Antwerp is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Antwerp is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Antwerp a more walkable city?

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

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

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Antwerp?

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

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

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

In Southampton, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the youthful port city of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the shopping. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Antwerp?

In Southampton, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Southampton has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historical destination of Antwerp. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Antwerp?

Southampton is a great place to explore. 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.

The authentic port city of Antwerp offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Southampton. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Southampton. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Antwerp. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Southampton and Antwerp, we can see that Southampton 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 Southampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Southampton 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or Antwerp in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Antwerp. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Southampton is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

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

Southampton usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Southampton 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 Southampton or Antwerp in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Southampton is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Southampton in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

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

In October, Southampton usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Southampton 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 Southampton or Antwerp in the Winter?

Both Antwerp and Southampton during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Southampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Antwerp can be very cold during winter. Southampton can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 4°C (40°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

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

Southampton usually gets less rain in January than Antwerp. Southampton 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 Southampton or Antwerp in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Antwerp. Most visitors come to Southampton for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the activities around the city.

Southampton is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

In April, Southampton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Antwerp. Southampton 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 Southampton