Travel guide · Belgium
Antwerp travel guide
Rubens, diamonds, avant-garde fashion and a grand port on the Scheldt
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Antwerp, Flanders' largest city, grew rich in the 16th century as one of Europe's great trading ports, and its old centre around the Grote Markt and the Cathedral of Our Lady still shows that wealth. It is the city of Peter Paul Rubens, whose altarpieces hang in the cathedral and churches, of the Plantin-Moretus printing house, and of a world diamond trade clustered next to the monumental Central Station. Since the 1980s its fashion academy has made it a design capital, and the Eilandje docks and Het Zuid have become districts of museums, restaurants and bars. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are May–September.
Key facts
- Country
- Belgium
- Best time to visit
- May–September
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- BRU, ANR, CRL
- Mid-range daily budget
- $170–$300 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Rubens, Diamonds, Fashion and Cathedral of Our Lady
Why visit Antwerp
- Rubens's Elevation of the Cross and Descent from the Cross hang in the Cathedral of Our Lady, and more of his work fills the KMSKA and Antwerp's churches.
- Museum Plantin-Moretus, a UNESCO-listed printing house, holds two of the oldest surviving printing presses in the world.
- The MAS museum's free rooftop gives a 360-degree view over the port, the river and the old town.
- Antwerp Central Station, completed in 1905, is one of Europe's most impressive railway buildings and sits beside the zoo and Diamond Quarter.
- Fashion boutiques around Nationalestraat, beer served in De Koninck's 'bolleke' glass and frites shops give the city a strong everyday culture.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
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Religious site · Oude Stad
Cathedral of Our Lady
Belgium's largest Gothic cathedral, begun in 1352 and finished in 1521, has a 123-metre spire visible across the city.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Landmark · Oude Stad
Grote Markt and City Hall
Antwerp's main square is lined with gabled guildhouses topped with gilded statues and dominated by the Renaissance City Hall of the 1560s.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
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Architecture · Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter
Antwerp Central Station
Louis Delacenserie's station, completed in 1905, has a domed stone hall of marble and gilt, a vast iron-and-glass train shed and, since the 2000s, tracks on three levels beneath it.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Photo spot
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Museum · Het Zuid
KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts)
Reopened in 2022 after an 11-year renovation, the KMSKA displays Flemish masters including Jan van Eyck, Rubens and Jordaens in its 19th-century galleries, and the world's largest James Ensor collection, along with Magritte and other modern artists in new white galleries inside the old building.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Oude Stad
Museum Plantin-Moretus
The home and printing business of Christophe Plantin and his Moretus descendants, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, keeps its 16th-century workshops, two of the oldest surviving printing presses, original typefaces and a library of rare books, around a courtyard garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Eilandje
MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)
Opened in 2011, the red sandstone and glass tower of the MAS stacks galleries on the city, the port and world cultures.
- Time needed
- 1–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Where to stay
Oude Stad is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and nightlife
Oude Stad
Guildhouses, the cathedral and cobbled lanes around the Grote Markt
$$$ · Best for shopping, couples and food lovers
Sint-Andries
The fashion district of designer boutiques, vintage shops and MoMu
$$$ · Best for food lovers, culture, couples and luxury
Het Zuid
Wide 19th-century avenues, the KMSKA and stylish restaurants
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers and nightlife
Eilandje
Converted docks with the MAS, the Red Star Line Museum and waterfront bars
What to eat
- Belgian fries — Thick-cut potatoes fried twice in beef fat or oil and served in a paper cone with mayonnaise, andalouse or stoofvlees sauce.
- Moules-frites — A pot of mussels steamed with celery, onion and white wine or beer, served with fries; mussels are best from about September to April.
- Stoofvlees — Beef slowly stewed in dark Belgian beer with onions, mustard and bread, served with fries; the Flemish comfort dish.
- Eel in green sauce — Pieces of eel cooked in a sauce of chervil, sorrel, parsley and other green herbs, a traditional dish of the Scheldt region.
- Shrimp croquettes — Crisp croquettes filled with creamy béchamel and small grey North Sea shrimp, served with lemon and fried parsley.
- Antwerpse handjes — Biscuits and chocolates shaped like a hand, recalling the legend of Brabo throwing the giant's hand into the Scheldt.
When to go
The best time to visit Antwerp is May to September, when terraces are busy, days are long and the Scheldt quays are pleasant for walking. April and October are good for museums with fewer visitors. December brings the Christmas market; winter is otherwise grey but low-priced and ideal for museums and cafés.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Mild days, terraces reopening and the marathon, with frequent showers. |
| Summer | June–August | Warm days, festivals and outdoor events; Tomorrowland weekends push up hotel prices. |
| Autumn | September–November | Settled September days, the cultural season and mussel season, then rain and grey skies. |
| Winter | December–February | Christmas market and lights in December, then cold, damp, quiet weeks with low prices. |
Getting there and around
Brussels Airport is about 40 km south; direct trains reach Antwerp Central in about 35–40 minutes. Antwerp's small airport (ANR) is a short bus or taxi ride from the centre. Brussels South Charleroi is about two hours away by coach or train via Brussels.
Antwerp's centre is compact and walkable from Central Station to the river in about 25 minutes. De Lijn trams and premetro lines cover the city, Velo shared bikes are everywhere, and trains link it to the rest of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Grote Markt, the cathedral, Plantin-Moretus, the MAS and the station. A third day adds the KMSKA, the fashion district and Zurenborg's Art Nouveau streets; with four or five days you can add Ghent, Bruges, Brussels or Mechelen by train.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Dutch
- Plugs
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink, though many locals drink bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Service is included in Belgium.
Antwerp is generally relaxed for visitors. Watch for pickpockets around Central Station, the Meir and the Grote Markt, and take care with trams and cyclists in shared streets.
Flights to Antwerp
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Antwerp?
Two days covers the Grote Markt, the cathedral, Plantin-Moretus, the MAS and the station. A third day adds the KMSKA, the fashion district and Zurenborg's Art Nouveau streets; with four or five days you can add Ghent, Bruges, Brussels or Mechelen by train. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Antwerp?
The best time to visit Antwerp is May to September, when terraces are busy, days are long and the Scheldt quays are pleasant for walking. April and October are good for museums with fewer visitors. December brings the Christmas market; winter is otherwise grey but low-priced and ideal for museums and cafés.
+What is Antwerp known for?
Rubens, Diamonds, Fashion, Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp Central Station, Belgian beer and Port of Antwerp. Rubens's Elevation of the Cross and Descent from the Cross hang in the Cathedral of Our Lady, and more of his work fills the KMSKA and Antwerp's churches.
+Is Antwerp expensive?
Antwerp is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $170–$300 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Antwerp?
No. Walking, trams, Velo bikes and trains cover the city and day trips, and the low-emission zone and parking costs make driving in the centre a burden.