Free things to do · Antwerp · Belgium
8 free things to do in Antwerp
Antwerp without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Antwerp without paying an entry fee: Grote Markt and City Hall, Antwerp Central Station, St. Charles Borromeo Church and St. Paul's Church are all free. The MAS rooftop, Central Station, the Grote Markt, the Sint-Annatunnel and the Middelheim Museum cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
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Landmark · Oude Stad
1.Grote Markt and City Hall
Come at dusk, when the guildhouses are lit and terraces fill up.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Architecture · Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter
2.Antwerp Central Station
Look up at the dome from the main staircase, then walk onto the upper platform level to see the full train shed.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Religious site · Oude Stad
3.St. Charles Borromeo Church
Sit for a drink on the Hendrik Conscienceplein afterwards, one of the city's quietest squares.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Art
- History
Religious site · Oude Stad
4.St. Paul's Church
Look for the Calvary in the courtyard on the way in.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Linkeroever
5.Sint-Annatunnel
Walk across in the late afternoon and watch the sun set over the old town from the left-bank riverside.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Street · Zurenborg
6.Cogels-Osylei and Zurenborg
Start at Berchem station and finish with a drink on the Dageraadplaats.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · Eilandje
7.Port House
Combine it with the MAS rooftop, from where you can see it across the docks.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Park · Wilrijk
8.Middelheim Museum
Bring a picnic on a fine day and allow time to wander the whole park.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Outdoors
- Kids
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Oude Stad | Grote Markt and City Hall, St. Charles Borromeo Church and St. Paul's Church | 30 minutes + 30 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter | Antwerp Central Station | 30 minutes |
| Linkeroever | Sint-Annatunnel | 1 hour |
| Zurenborg | Cogels-Osylei and Zurenborg | 1.5 hours |
| Eilandje | Port House | 30 minutes |
| Wilrijk | Middelheim Museum | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Eilandje
MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)
Even if you skip the galleries, ride the free escalators to the rooftop at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Castle · Oude Stad
Het Steen
Walk the raised riverside promenade beside it for views along the Scheldt.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Museum · Oude Stad
Vleeshuis
Look at the building's banded façade from Vleeshouwersstraat for the best angle.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Oude Stad
Museum Mayer van den Bergh
It is small and quiet, a good counterpoint to the larger museums.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- History
More ways to save
- The MAS rooftop, Central Station, the Grote Markt, the Sint-Annatunnel and the Middelheim Museum cost nothing.
- The Antwerp City Card pays off if you visit several museums over one or two days.
- Weekday lunch menus are much cheaper than dinner.
- Fries, waffles and beer in local cafés make for affordable meals and breaks.
- Many city museums offer free entry on the last Wednesday of the month; check before you go.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Antwerp expensive to visit?
Antwerp is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Antwerp?
Grote Markt and City Hall: Come at dusk, when the guildhouses are lit and terraces fill up.