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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

Both Antwerp and Thessaloniki have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Thessaloniki is better known for its food and beaches, while Antwerp is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

How is Thessaloniki different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Thessaloniki and Antwerp.

Thessaloniki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a huge number of historic and archeological sights in the city. These include the Rotunda of Galerius, the White Tower, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Arch of Galerius.

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.

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

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. There's a huge culinary scene in the city, and you'll find everything from fun street food options to traditional tavernas and even some great international restaurants.

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 Thessaloniki or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Antwerp have great vibes after the sun sets.

Thessaloniki has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's the second largest city in Greece, and it has large student and tourist populations, so the nightlife scene is among the best in Greece. There are clubs, bars, and lounges that stay busy late into the night.

The people in Antwerp know how to have a good time. 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 Thessaloniki or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a city with a few options for the beache. However, Antwerp is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Thessaloniki. Although the city's not known for its beaches, there are some places where you can relax by the water, particularly if you're willing to get a bit out of town.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

Antwerp is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Thessaloniki. There are shopping streets as well as large malls and shopping centers. You'll find everything from fashion, jewelry, and handicrafts to most European and international brands.

Is Thessaloniki or Antwerp Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Antwerp.

Thessaloniki is a family-friendly city. The port city has a number of museums and attractions for kids including Dinosaur Park, the Noesis Science and Technology Museum, and the water park known as Waterland. There's also the fascinating Kapani Market that is fun to explore.

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 Thessaloniki or Antwerp Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Antwerp make for a notable place to visit.

Thessaloniki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a bustling city that is filled with history and excellent restaurants. Couples who enjoy history and fun cities will appreciate a visit here.

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

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

Thessaloniki is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Thessaloniki or Antwerp Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Antwerp are great destinations for students.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large student population in the city and you'll find a vibrant nightlife scene, easy transportation options, and a reasonable cost of living.

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.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Thessaloniki and Antwerp.

Thessaloniki has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

You'll find some public transit in Antwerp, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 Thessaloniki or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Antwerp is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable city. You can explore much of the city center on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

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

Couples should spend more time in Antwerp than Thessaloniki. 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki.

One day in Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

In Thessaloniki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Antwerp, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this genuine port city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

In Thessaloniki, 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 Thessaloniki has to offer.

Antwerp is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

Thessaloniki 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the genuine destination of Antwerp. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

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

Antwerp is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Antwerp, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Antwerp for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Antwerp. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Antwerp in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Antwerp. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Antwerp can be very cold during winter. In January, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Antwerp. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the activities around the city.

Thessaloniki is much warmer than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Thessaloniki