A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Antwerp for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Families

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon and Antwerp can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a peaceful, park-filled, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the food and theater.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Antwerp than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Antwerp is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions and small town charm. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is an unbeatable place for its theatre productions. However, Antwerp is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in Stratford-upon-Avon is world-class. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Antwerp is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Antwerp can be an enjoyable experience.

Stratford-upon-Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Antwerp has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

Antwerp is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly town. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Antwerp. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Antwerp are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Stratford-upon-Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Antwerp is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Antwerp is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with students.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Antwerp is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

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

Families should spend more time in Antwerp than Stratford-upon-Avon. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town with plenty to do. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. This town 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, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Lots of people come for the shopping. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

Stratford-upon-Avon 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. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer.

Many people visit Antwerp for a weekend. Lots of people come for the shopping. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

Stratford-upon-Avon 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 destination of Antwerp offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. Since Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the theater. 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This port city offers something for everyone. 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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon and Antwerp, we can see that Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Stratford-upon-Avon during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Antwerp. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

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

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Antwerp. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the museums, the theater shows, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally around the same temperature as Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

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

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Antwerp. Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Antwerp for the activities around the city during these months.

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

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

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Antwerp. Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon