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

Should you visit Wellington or Antwerp?

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

Should I visit Wellington 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Wellington travel costs.

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. See Antwerp travel costs.

Wellington and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Antwerp?

You'll generally find more things to do in Antwerp than Wellington. Antwerp is bigger than Wellington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Antwerp is better known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Wellington is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Wellington is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. 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 Wellington different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Antwerp is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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 Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Both Wellington and Antwerp offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Dining out in Antwerp is an experience not to be missed. 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 Wellington or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Wellington and Antwerp.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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.

Is Wellington or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

Wellington is well known for the beach. However, Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its old town. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Antwerp Better for Hiking?

Wellington is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Antwerp?

Antwerp is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington 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 Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Wellington or Antwerp Better for Families?

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

Wellington is a very kid-friendly city. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington or Antwerp Better for Couples?

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

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

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 Wellington or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Wellington is a great city to visit for backpackers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow 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 Wellington or Antwerp Better for Students?

Antwerp is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Wellington is well known for its public transit. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Wellington and Antwerp are great when it comes to walkability.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wellington and Antwerp. In our opinion, Wellington has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Wellington than Antwerp. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Antwerp.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington 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 Wellington.

One day in Wellington or Antwerp?

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

With museums and nightlife around the cultural port city of Antwerp, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Antwerp, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wellington or Antwerp?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Antwerp, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Wellington or Antwerp?

Wellington is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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.

Antwerp, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Antwerp?

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

Antwerp is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Antwerp, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Antwerp is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Antwerp would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antwerp than you might in Wellington.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Antwerp?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Antwerp has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or Antwerp in the Summer?

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

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

In Antwerp, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wellington. In the summer, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Antwerpin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Antwerpin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Antwerp in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Wellington is a little warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Wellington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Antwerpin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Antwerp in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Antwerp. Many visitors come to Wellington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, 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 July, Wellington is generally much warmer than Antwerpin January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Antwerpin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Antwerpin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Antwerp in the Spring?

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

Wellington is much warmer than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F)in April.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Antwerpin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Wellington