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Which is better to visit Brussels or Antwerp?

Author

Andrew Campbell

Published May 08, 2026

Brussels in general isn't a city where the beauty is spoon-fed but it has some very nice corners and imho is a very interesting and intriguing city. Antwerp: Smaller compared to Brussels and much more easy to chew, more homogeous too.

Keeping this in consideration, which is better Antwerp or Brussels?

*If you like shopping I think Antwerp would have the edge over Brussels. It also has a pretty shopping street, the Meir, and some pretty squares. But I think Brussels has the better nightlife, and more dining options, thanks to the thousands of civil servants with good disposable incomes.

Beside above, which is better Bruges or Antwerp? Bruges or Antwerp: food & nightlife If nightlife is important to you, Antwerp is probably a better choice than Bruges. Bruges is charming but relatively quiet at night. Antwerp on the other hand, has a good reputation for night fun, being an animated port city.

Also Know, is it worth going to Antwerp?

In my opinion, Antwerp is worth at least a quick visit if you're in the area. It doesn't boast many knock-out sites of interest to tourists, but Antwerp is a vibrant, slightly gritty modern city. I imagine if Bruges had not gone into hibernation, it would today probably look and feel much like Antwerp.

Is Brussels worth a visit?

Brussels is certainly worth visiting! This destination is perfect for a weekend away. For UK residents it is even better because you can use the Eurostar for direct trains to Brussels. There are also direct trains to Brussels from Paris.

Related Question Answers

How far is Antwerp from Brussels?

41 km

How many days do you need in Antwerp?

Even if you are visiting for just one or two days, you will be able to use some tips. But if you have the time, I recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days in Belgium. My recommended three day Belgium itinerary includes the capital city Brussels and the most beautiful towns of Flanders – Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges.

Where should I stay in Belgium?

Belgium Hotels and Places to Stay
  • Novotel Brussels City Centre Hotel. View Hotel.
  • Ibis Brussels Off Grand Place. View Hotel.
  • NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon. View Hotel.
  • Hotel Metropole. View Hotel.
  • Novotel Brussels Off Grand Place Hotel. View Hotel.
  • Steigenberger Wiltcher's. View Hotel.
  • Hotel Amigo.
  • Adagio Brussels Grand Place.

What is there to do in Antwerp today?

The Ultimate Guide of Things to Do in Antwerp, Belgium
  • .
  • #1 – Arrive by train to see the famed Central Station.
  • #2 – Go shopping or simply view the renowned shopping districts.
  • #3 – Visit the outdoor or street markets.
  • #4 – Go on a massive food trip!
  • #5 – Witness the city's iconic cathedral.
  • #6 – Walk through the historical heart of the city.
  • #7 – Discover art and culture.

How far is Antwerp from Amsterdam?

around 130km

Should I stay in Ghent or Brussels?

I would opt to stay in Ghent and do the side trip to Bruges if you like. Brussels is, in Belgian standards, a big city and sights are relatively spread. If do do visit Brussels, have a clear idea on what you want to do because otherwise you might be just wondering about in neighbourhoods that are just not so pretty.

How many days do you need in Amsterdam?

Three days

How long is the train from Amsterdam to Antwerp?

2h08 minutes

Is English spoken in Antwerp?

Apart from Dutch, there will be some French spoken and after that probably English and Arabic or Turkish. What repercussions did the closure of this river have to the city of Antwerp and Europe during this time? Throughout all of Europe, the English language is obviously the most dominant language known.

What is Antwerp best known for?

Antwerp is known as the diamond capital of the world and the diamond industry plays an important role in the economy of the city and has done throughout its history. During the 16th Century the city was one of the most important places, and one of the most important ports in all of Europe.

Is Antwerp safe at night?

Antwerp is a reasonably safe city, but the area around some neighbourhoods like De Coninckplein, Borgerhout, Seefhoek and the Schipperskwartier are considered unsafe and best avoided at night. Yet, they can be visited during the day to enjoy the lively environment.

Does Antwerp have a red light district?

Antwerp (or Antwerpen) in Belgium has a single red light district in an area known as 't schipperskwartier. This translates to 'shipper's quarters' and covers Schippersstraat, Vingerlingstraat, Verversrui and Villa Tinto. There are also two adult shops, one of which doubles up as a peep show on Vingerlingstraat.

What can I buy in Antwerp?

Without going further into details, enjoy our list below of the top 10 souvenirs to buy in Antwerp.
  • Belgian Beer. Photo by Michael Sonnabend on Foter.com.
  • Belgian Chocolates.
  • Belgian Cheese.
  • A Piece of Art from the Art Market.
  • A Book from the Book Market.
  • Jar of Speculoos Spread.
  • Beautiful Laces.
  • A Diamond is Forever…

Is there Uber in Antwerp?

Re: Does Uber operate in Antwerp? No, Uber doesn't operate in Antwerp. You are giving absolutely no information of when you want to travel, nor which Anker you want to visit.

What do they speak in Antwerp?

Dutch

Is Antwerp Open on Sunday?

Opening hours Shops in Antwerp normally open Monday to Saturday 0900/1000-1800/1830. The main exceptions are Kloosterstraat and Hoogstraat, where many shops open on Sunday.

How do I get from Brussels to Antwerp?

About this journey The average travel time between Brussels and Antwerp is 49 minutes. The quickest route is 35 minutes. The first train leaving Brussels is at 05:44, the last at 22:01. There is an average of 39 trains a day between Brussels and Antwerp, leaving approximately every 22 minutes.

What is the best area to stay in Brussels?

Read our full review!
  1. 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Brussels.
  2. City Centre Neighborhood – Where to Stay in Brussels for the First Time.
  3. The Marolles Neighborhood – Where to Stay in Brussels on a Budget.
  4. Saint Gery Neighborhood – Where to Stay in Brussels for Nightlife.

Is it better to stay in Bruges or Ghent?

So a bit again: Bruges has more the little town feel and appeals more to the romantic idea of a historical place, but is very touristy and you have to deal with the crowds. Ghent is a vibrant place, has the feel of a larger town, feels more realistic and is more ideal for pub crawling in the evening.

How far is Antwerp from Bruges?

The distance between Bruges and Antwerp is 82 km. The road distance is 92.4 km.

Which is better Brussels or Amsterdam?

Brussels or Amsterdam: short answer Amsterdam is more of a tourist haven than Brussels. It's lively, tolerant, entertaining, and you can see great sights in a few days. English is extensively spoken so communication won't be so much trouble. Brussels is a more laid-back, easy-going European city.

How do I get from Brussels to Bruges?

The quickest route is 53 minutes. The first train leaving Brussels is at 00:29, the last at 23:37. There is an average of 70 trains a day between Brussels and Bruges, leaving approximately every 18 minutes. The journey by train from Brussels to Bruges takes about 1 hour.

Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to Bruges?

The direct Thalys train runs 14x daily from Amsterdam and takes 1 hour 13 minutes to Antwerp or 1 hour 50 minutes to Brussels Zuid/Midi. Expect the total journey time from Amsterdam to Bruges to be around 3 hours if taking the Thalys via Brussels and almost 4 hours if using Intercity trains to Belgium.

How do I get from Bruges to Ghent?

It takes 30 minutes to travel from Bruges to Ghent. The Gent-Sint-Pieters train station is a 30-minute walk from downtown Ghent, so to get into town it is quicker to take a taxi or the tram. Trams pull up in front of the train station. You can buy a round-trip tram ticket from the automated machines at the tram stop.

How do I get from Ghent to Antwerp?

Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB) operates a train from Gand-Dampoort / Gent-Dampoort to Anvers-Central / Antwerpen-Centraal every 30 minutes. Tickets cost 7€ - 11€ and the journey takes 46 min. SNCF also services this route every 4 hours. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Ghent to Antwerp every 2 hours.

Is Brussels a boring city?

Brussels most boring city in Europe. Brussels, the capital of Europe, is the most boring city on the continent, despite its renown for its waffles, chocolates, and comic books, according to a survey of international travellers published on Wednesday (12 March).

Why is Brussels so expensive?

Brussels is the biggest city in Belgium and it's home to the EU parliament. It's also a major business hub of Europe, — which means it's expensive since the city caters to a lot of wealthy business people. Attractions are on the expensive side, and everyday items like transportation and food can be rough on the budget.

How many days do you need in Brussels?

Even if you are visiting for just one or two days, you will be able to use some tips. But if you have the time, I recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days in Belgium. My recommended three day Belgium itinerary includes the capital city Brussels and the most beautiful towns of Flanders – Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges.

What Brussels is famous for?

What is Brussels Most Famous For? Brussels is Belgium's quintessential capital city, full of Art Deco taverns, unique Flemish art, towering Gothic cathedrals, and quaint guild houses.

What is Brussels famous for food?

Moules-frites (mussels served with fries) is considered the national dish of Belgium. The tender mussels are steamed in a metal pot in a variety of broths. Most popular versions of them contain white wine combined with aromatic vegetables and herbs, such as onion, shallots, leeks, celery and parsley.

What is special about Brussels?

The city blooms like nowhere else Every two years the Grand Place in Brussels, the city's Unesco-protected central square, is covered with a carpet of nearly one million begonias, with a different theme of decoration chosen each year.

Is Brussels worth a day trip from Paris?

Brussels is not worth a day trip if you're only staying in Paris for ten days.

What is the center of Brussels?

listen); "Grand Market") is the central square of Brussels. It is surrounded by opulent guildhalls and two larger edifices, the city's Town Hall, and the King's House or Breadhouse (French: Maison du Roi, Dutch: Broodhuis) building containing the Brussels City Museum.

Is Brussels a safe city?

Brussels is generally a safe place to visit. It's as safe as other European capitals, if not safer, but it also faces the same sorts of issues that many other places face as well.