Antwerp is a top tourist destination in Belgium, and for good reason. This guide helps you discover the very best things to do in Antwerp, from where to stay, what to see, and more!
You’ll find Antwerp in northern Belgium, not far from the Netherlands or the North Sea. Most people opt to visit Antwerp after stopping by Brussels, the country’s capital that lies just an hour south.
Although we were only there for a weekend, I fell in love with the entire vibe of the city. The pops of Art Nouveau, culinary delights both new and old, and vibrant bar scene made us think – hey, we could maybe live here!
But as a visitor, we had to make do with the limited time we had. So, in the spirit of helping you do the same, here are some top recommendations for what to do in Antwerp.
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Is Antwerp worth visiting?
Yes, it is – Antwerp has a lot going for it! It’s one of Belgium’s largest cities, boasts one of the biggest ports in the world, and is internationally renowned for its expansive diamond trade. It’s marked by both historic cobblestone ways and modern architecture with an artistic atmosphere.
And of course, as a Belgian city, it’s also known for delicious waffles and chocolates. Locals in Antwerp speak Dutch, but during our visit, we found that many people spoke English as well.
How much time is needed to visit Antwerp?
Antwerp is a popular day-trip destination in Belgium, as it’s not very big and not far from big European cities like Brussels, Ghent, and even London.
However, if you have two days to visit Antwerp, I highly recommend it. We ourselves spent two days in Antwerp on a long weekend visit and felt it gave us enough time to explore leisurely.
↠ Read More: 17 Best Things to Do in Ghent, Belgium
How to get from Brussels to Antwerp
The most convenient way to get to Antwerp, outside of driving, is by taking the train. A direct route leaves from Brussel-Centraal station to Antwerpen-Centraal every 30 minutes. The ride is less than 40 minutes.
Google Maps appears to show the train schedule, but I recommend checking out the official SNBC website. You can purchase tickets online in advance or at the station, but beware of busy days.
The fare is about €7.70 for a one-way, €15.40 round trip, or half-off return with the Weekend Ticket if your travel meets the time and day requirements (Friday night to Sunday).
Where to Stay: Best Antwerp Hotels + Places to Stay
The best place to stay in Antwerp is near the city center. Here are some recommendations for the best Antwerp hotels:
- Antwerp Airbnb: We stayed in this gorgeous Antwerp apartment. It was right on the edge of downtown and had an awesome interior and a very friendly host. It was a little pricier than we normally spend, but it included covered parking.
- Cheap Antwerp Hotel: A-STAY Antwerp offers a central place to stay at an affordable nightly rate that starts around $75-$100/night.
- Nicer Antwerp Hotel Stay: Hotel FRANQ is a stylish boutique hotel in downtown Antwerp that features loaner bikes, an onsite restaurant and bar, and a fantastic location.
- Antwerp budget hostel: The Antwerp City Hostel is a social place to stay in Antwerp for budget backpackers or solo travelers. It’s super close to the cathedral and offers a fantastic way to experience Antwerp on the cheap.
See more top-rated places to stay in Antwerp.
15 Best Things to Do in Antwerp, Belgium
1. See the beautiful Antwerp Central Station
If coming by train, you’ll already be able to tick this fantastic thing to do in Antwerp off your list! If not, it’s worth going out of your way to see.
The Antwerp Central Station, or Antwerpen-Centraal in dutch, is considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. It was built back in 1905 and is such a unique building that it doesn’t really have a definite architectural style. Locals have given it the nickname of the “railroad cathedral.”
Admittedly, there’s not much to do here but marvel at the detailed structures and snap some epic photos.
2. Indulge at Chocolate Nation, Antwerp’s Belgian chocolate museum
Admission: Adults €18.90, teens + students €17.50, children €13.50
Opening hours: Daily from 10:15am to 6pm. Last tour starts at 5pm.
Just across the street from the central station is the popular Chocolate Nation that calls itself the “World’s largest Belgian chocolate museum.” With your ticket, you get to not only learn about the history of chocolate and how it’s made, but you get to eat a bunch too.
The tour is typically about 60-90 minutes long and ends with a chocolate tasting at the gift shop.
3. Walk down the Meir Shopping Street
The Meir shopping street is a pedestrian area with exquisite Rococo buildings, excellent shopping opportunities, and tons of cozy terraces to sit and sip coffee. Popular stores like Zara, H&M, and Primark are tucked away in this part of the city.
If you appreciate architecture, make a stop inside the beautiful Stadsfeestzaal shopping mall that boasts a glittering and ornate interior.
4. Visit The Rubens House Museum
Admission: Adults €12, young adults/students €8, free for under 18
Opening hours: Tues.-Sun. 10am-5pm, last entry at 4pm
The Rubens House is a museum dedicated to showcasing the life and work of Peter Paul Rubens, a famous painter from the 16th century who is regarded as the prime example of the Flemish Baroque style. The museum is housed in a historic Flemish townhome where Peter Paul Rubens actually lived and worked.
Be sure to buy your ticket online in advance.
5. Enjoy a cup of coffee at the Grote Markt and Brabo Monument
The Grote Markt (“Great Market Square”) of Antwerp is the iconic town square in the heart of the old city quarter. It’s filled with an extravagant city hall, numerous elaborate 16th-century guildhalls, and many restaurants and cafés.
You’ll also find the Brabo Fountain here in the square, which is another famous Antwerp landmark. This central area of Antwerp is home to many of the best eats, like Fish A’Gogo!
6. See the oldest printing presses in the world at the Plantin-Moretus Museum
Admission: Adults €12, young adults/students €8, free for under 18
Opening hours: Tues.-Sun. 10am-5pm, last entry at 4pm
The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a really cool museum that has on display not only the oldest printing presses in the world but also some of the oldest collection of books and other artifacts. This beautiful museum is brimming with historical information about Antwerp’s printing history, specifically as it relates to the prolific printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus.
I was initially drawn to this museum because the building itself and the courtyard are absolutely beautiful. I found my tour of the building very interesting, and I’m glad I went. You’ll need to drop off your bags in lockers before being allowed in.
7. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp
Admission: Adults €8, students/seniors €6, free for under 12
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-3pm, Sun., 1pm-5pm
Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady is a towering gothic church that catches your eye as you wander the city center. The cathedral dates back to 1521, and the interior boasts paintings by Antwerp’s very own Rubens as well as other works of art.
I personally didn’t visit the cathedral because of the admission fee, but if you’re an art lover or appreciate the history of cathedrals, it’s a highly rated Antwerp attraction.
8. Appreciate the unique exhibits on display at the MAS
Admission: Adults €12 or €10, students €6-8
Opening hours: Daily between 10am-5pm, closed to individuals Sun 10am-12pm, and Tues/Thur. 10am – 2pm.
The MAS is a really unique museum that’s truly a marvel both inside and out. The bright red exterior is constructed from sandstone and features tall waving windows and a rooftop deck with fantastic views of Antwerp.
It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what this museum is because it showcases so many different things. There are ten different levels inside dedicated to sharing unique historical events, art, artifacts, and more.
What you wish to see will dictate the admission fee you pay. A ticket that includes the permanent and temporary exhibit is €10 for adults, a ticket without the temporary exhibit is €10.
9. Go back in time with a tour of Steen Castle
Admission: Adults €7, children 6-17 €5
Opening hours: Daily 10am-5pm
The Het Steen, or Steen Fortress, is a historic landmark situated on the banks of the passing Scheldt River on the edge of the city center. It is a medieval structure that dates back to the early 1200s. It was closed when visited, but when it’s open visitors can explore the interior courtyard and the rooftop terrace.
10. Window shop in the city’s Diamond District
Antwerp is famous for diamonds, so taking a stroll through the city’s Diamond District is an obvious thing to do! If you have the money and are pining after something sparkly, this is the place to do it. This part of Antwerp is near the central station, Chocolate Nation, and the Antwerp Zoo.
11. Wander through Park Spoor Noord
Park Spoor Noord is a large green space on the outskirts of the downtown area. It was once a railway station but is now a fantastic place to have a picnic, enjoy a drink at the local bars and restaurants, and just breathe.
Gå Nord is a highly reviewed restaurant in the park that is Instagram-worthy. I don’t recommend this as an Antwerp must-do unless you have more than one day.
12. Grab a bite to eat at the hip and cool PAKT
The PAKT is a hidden gem in Antwerp. A place for people to eat, create, and spend time together, this destination was once a warehouse that now is covered in greenery.
If you enjoy less touristy things to do, I recommend visiting the PAKT’s lush rooftop terrace, where an urban farm, local cafes, and bars will keep you happily entertained.
13. Have a beer and watch the sunset at Scheldekaai Zuid
The Scheldekaai Zuid is a public place to sit outside and look out onto the river. Many locals come here to relax with a nice beer after a long day and chat with friends. It’s also a great place to catch the sunset.
14. Spend time at the Antwerp Zoo
Admission: Adults €31, children 3-11 €25, under 3 free
Opening hours: Daily 10am-4pm
Admittedly, I’m not one for zoos, but I thought I’d share since it’s a popular thing to do in Antwerp, especially for families. The Antwerp Zoo is just a minute walking distance from the Central Station and features an aquarium, animals from around the world, and playgrounds for the kiddos.
15. Stroll through Antwerp’s Groenplaats city square
The Groenplaats is less of a thing to do and more of a landmark in Antwerp to see. It’s a city square that has a famous statue of Peter Paul Rubens (yes, this guy again!) and a view of the cathedral belfry. It’s also a part of the city with many restaurants, cafes and places to sit outside.
Other Noteworthy Things to Do in Antwerp
The places to visit in Antwerp listed above are amongst the most popular and more than enough to fill a one or two-day visit. But if you’re looking for more options, here are even more things to do and places to see.
- The Vleehuis is an old building that was once a meat house but is now dedicated to showcasing musical instruments.
- Do the De Koninck brewery tour to sample the local Antwerpen brew.
- The Red Star Line Museum sits along Antwerp’s famous harbor and was once a shipping company that helped millions emigrate to North America.
- The View Antwerp is a Ferris wheel that takes you up into the sky for a bird’s eye view of the city for €8.
- Saint Charles Borromeo Church is an ornate, baroque Catholic church from the 17th century that features a lace museum for €5.
- The Antwerp Beguinage is another hidden attraction. This historic courtyard once housed the city’s religious women and today reflects that unique history through the beautiful brick architecture. Be respectful when you visit, they’re residences still today.
Best Restaurants in Antwerp
Now for one of my favorite parts of any trip – where to eat in Antwerp! We weren’t able to personally eat at each of these places during our short visit, but they were on my list for being highly rated and recommended by others.
- Fish a’gogo: If you like seafood, consider visiting this small local stall. They offer some of the best mussels in town (according to reviews) as well as delicious oysters and mussels.
- De Pottekijker: We wanted to try the local Flemish cuisine and the well-reviewed De Pottekijker to be the perfect spot to do so. This lovely restaurant didn’t disappoint, but you’ll need to make a reservation as it’s small and popular.
- Banh Mi Antwerp: I love Vietnamese, so had to jump on the chance to munch on a Banh Mi! Their sandwiches were fresh, delish, and exceeded my expectations. Be sure to get a classic Vietnamese coffee to wash down your sandwich.
- Kloonies: A popular brunch spot in Antwerp
- Masala Mission: We missed out on dining here, but this popular Indian restaurant creates unique dishes using local ingredients. I recommend making a reservation to secure a table.
Best Bars in Antwerp
I don’t know about you but I enjoy a good cocktail – especially after a long day of exploring a new city. Here are some bars we loved on our visit to Antwerp.
- Dogma Cocktails: For unique craft cocktails, head to Dogma. The cocktail I ordered featured a scoop of goat cheese ice cream served with some sort of strawberry alcohol and droplets of olive oil. It was divine, and so was the atmosphere you’ll find at this bar.
- Cocktails at Nine: This classic and upscale cocktail bar is a little pricey but offers many tasty classic and housemade cocktails. You can sit inside or enjoy their romantic garden patio.
- Het Elfde Gebod (Twelve Commandments Cafe and Pub): For a more traditional bar experience, head to this cool pub. They serve up a long list of local and foreign beers and the inside is an eclectic experience filled with wooden carvings and tons of fun decor.
Best Cafes in Antwerp
As with the bars above, a good cup of coffee is another vice of mine. While there are many fantastic options in the city, these cafes were some that we particularly liked.
- Toitoitoi: Hip cafe serving up coffees and light breakfast options. There’s also a speakeasy bar in the back that opens in the evenings.
- Caffe Mundi: A cozy cafe off the main square with classic coffees and teas on the menu.
- 8tea5: A popular bubble tea cafe that had a line of people waiting every time we passed it.
- Brood en Spelel: A charming bakery with fresh coffee and bread/pastries every morning for a quick fix.
Antwerp Travel Tips
- Antwerp is very vegetarian and vegan-friendly, and there are many veg restaurants to choose from.
- If driving to Antwerp, you’ll need to register and pay for the city’s Low emission zone pass or LEZ before arriving.
- Download the Lime App for a fun and convenient way to get around Antwerp via electric scooters.
- As of the end of 2021, many Antwerp attractions saw a change/increase in admission fees and many museums are now €12 to enter.
- The Antwerp City Card is a tourist card that provides free rides on public transportation and discounts and free admission to some of the most popular Antwerp attractions. You can buy the card as a 24, 48, or 72 hour pass. I recommend calculating if the cost of the card is worth your planned itinerary before purchasing.
- Consider the train Weekend Ticket if traveling by train on the weekend. With this discount card, riders enjoy half off round trip travel between 7 pm Friday until Sunday to any destination in the country.
- If you’re a student, don’t forget your student ID for discounts!
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