Antwerp vs. Brussels: the battle of the Belgian titans. International travellers in Belgium often find their way to Brussels and Bruges. But you may want to discover whether the Belgian capital is really the best city for you. Today, I’ll tell you all about the two biggest cities in Belgium: Brussels and Antwerp. Which one will you visit?
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Solo travel in Antwerp vs. Brussels
If you’re travelling solo, you’ll have a great time in Belgium. It’s safe, there are plenty of things to do, and English is widely spoken around the country.
But if you only have a few days to spend in Belgium, you may be looking for the best places to visit. I personally love big cities, so Antwerp and Brussels are logical choices.
While it’s true that Antwerp is a city less discovered by international travellers, I believe Brussels will give solo travellers more bang for their buck.
The winner: Brussels. The capital is more fit for solo travellers, but Antwerp is a close second for those who want to discover lesser-known cities.
Antwerp vs. Brussels: things to do
In terms of activities, attractions, and historic sights, I would dare to say that Antwerp and Brussels are an even match. Here’s an overview of the most important things to do in Brussels and Antwerp:
What to do in Antwerp
- Admire Antwerp Central Station
- The Cathedral of Our Lady
- Grote Markt (incl. City Hall and Guild Houses)
- Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
- Antwerp Zoo
- Diamond District
- Meir
- Hendrik Conscienceplein
- Have a drink on the riverside
- Visit independent bookstores
More free things to do in Antwerp:
What to do in Brussels
There’s a reason why so many international travellers flock to Brussels when visiting Belgium. That reason? There are plenty of things to do.
- Grand Place
- Notre Dame Du Sablon
- The Royal Palace
- Manneken Pis (and Jeanneke Pis)
- Parc Du Cinquantenaire
- Discover culture in and around Flagey
- Dansaert neighbourhood
- Mont des Arts
- Take a cartoon walk in the Marolles area
The winner: It’s a tie. The choice between Antwerp and Brussels depends on your personal preference. If you prefer a city with a rich heritage and historical and political importance, go to Brussels. If you prefer a city with a vibrant atmosphere and lively energy, Antwerp is your best bet.
Architecture in Antwerp and Brussels
Now, I’m going for a bit of a hot take here: besides a few exceptions, the architecture in Brussels is nothing to write books about.
And before you come at me in the comments mentioning Grand Place, the Atomium, or La Monnaie: I know. I’m not saying you should skip the Belgian capital because of its lack of architectural beauty. All I’m saying is I personally prefer the more modern and eclectic architectural heritage of Antwerp.
The winner: Antwerp.
Where can you find the best food in Belgium?
Belgium may be known for its beer, waffles, and chocolate. But the country’s cuisine has much more to offer to travellers willing to venture beyond the basics.
Here’s a few of my favourite Belgian dishes you may not know:
- Stoofvlees — a sweet and sour stew with beef and dark ale, often served with French fries;
- Boulets à la Liégois — meatballs with a sweet, dark brown sauce;
- Fries — the fries and snacks served at the typical Belgian frituur (friterie in French) is probably nothing like the fries you’re used to;
- Steak tartare — a dish made from raw, minced beef steak and plenty of spices, onions, pickles, and more;
- White sausage — a sausage made from pork and milk, delicious on the grill.
Whether you want to taste a few of these local delicacies or find the best exotic restaurants in town, both Brussels and Antwerp are stellar choices.
That being said, I live in Antwerp, so I’ve spent much more time here. In other words: I know which restaurants to recommend and which to avoid. Here’s an overview:
The winner: It’s a tie. Both cities have a wide range of excellent restaurants, both for solo travellers and groups of people.
Antwerp nightlife vs. Brussels nightlife
When comparing the nightlife in Antwerp vs. Brussels, it’s necessary to say that both cities can give you an experience you won’t soon forget.
Antwerp boasts an impressive range of vintage cafés, jazz bars, and places where you can have a delicious cocktail or a fresh pint of Belgian ale.
If you’re looking for nightclubs as greasy as they come — in the best way possible — head to one of the following areas:
- Stadswaag (‘t Waagstuk, Barbier, Klimax)
- Mechelseplein (Izzy Maze, K. Zeppos, Pallieter)
- Miscellaneous: Ampere, Club Vaag, Plein Publiek
Unlike Antwerp and other major Belgian cities (like Ghent), the nightlife in Brussels is not concentrated in one central area. The best bars and clubs in Brussels are sprawled around the city, giving people something worth experiencing in every neighbourhood.
Here are a few local favourites:
- Plein Publiek
- L’Athénée
- Che Habana
- Delirium
- O’Reilly’s
- LGBTQ+ friendly: The Agenda, Chez Maman, Cabaret Mademoiselle, Bonnefooi
- Other fun nightlife areas: Flagey, Zavel, Place Sainte-Catherine
The winner: Antwerp. I’ve gone out in both cities multiple times, and I generally enjoy the nightlife in Antwerp more than I do in Brussels.
Friendliness of locals
In my personal experience, travellers in Belgium often only find their way to Brussels and Bruges. They don’t usually take the time to discover other Belgian cities, like Antwerp and Ghent.
While this inevitably means that Brussels will be more crowded with fellow travellers, it also means that the capital is more dependent on international tourism than other cities in Belgium — like Antwerp.
In other words: you’re more likely to be greeted rudely, scammed, or ripped off in Brussels — especially if you’re staying in the popular areas of the city around Grand Place.
The winner: Antwerp. If you’re looking for a Belgian city with welcoming, friendly locals, Antwerp is your best bet.
Is Antwerp cheaper than Brussels?
The comparison in cost of living in Antwerp and Brussels is very different for locals and visitors.
It’s true that Brussels is a more expensive city to live in than Antwerp (e.g. rent, utilities, childcare, etc.). However, this is compensated for by higher consumer prices in Antwerp (e.g. groceries, restaurants, activities, etc.).
That being said: you can find plenty of ways to save money in both cities — including free things to do, cheap public transport, affordable accommodation, and more.
The winner: Brussels. If you’re staying in the city for just a few days, Brussels will give you more for the same amount of money than Antwerp.
Conclusion: should I visit Antwerp or Brussels?
Let’s add up the points and answer the question, once and for all: “Should I visit Brussels or Antwerp?”
- Solo travel: Brussels
- Things to do: tie
- Architecture: Antwerp
- Food: tie
- Nightlife: Antwerp
- Friendliness of locals: Antwerp
- Prices: Brussels
Brussels puts up a hell of a fight, but Antwerp claims victory in this battle of the Belgian cities.
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Photo credit:
- Photo by Emran Yousof on Unsplash
- Photo by Alex Vasey on Unsplash
Steph
May 20, 2023 at 10:48 pmMy daughter and her friend have has just been to Antwerp and described it as an absolute shit hole! it truly was the dud city of their travels, she said the people were disgustingly rude, it’s was expensive and excruciatingly boring, the only thing going for it was it was ‘pretty’ they literally couldn’t wait to get away, prior to this they were in Paris which they loved and adored and now Rotterdam/Amsterdam which has been AMAZING and has made up for the nightmare of Antwerp, I’ve since spoken to a friend based in London who absolutely agreed, she described it as a shockingly racist city and a horrible place to visit, whereas she said Bruges is a totally different vibe and hard to believe the two could be so different given they are both in Belgium. The upshot is in Antwerp they don’t like or welcome tourists (especially of colour) so no-one should waste their precious time or money going there.