History · Antwerp · Belgium
8 historic sites to see in Antwerp
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Berthgmn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Cathedral of Our Lady, Grote Markt and City Hall and Museum Plantin-Moretus. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 8–9 hours across 2 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 8–9 hours
- Areas
- Oude Stad and Eilandje
Historic sites in Antwerp
-.jpg){kind=link}
Religious site · Oude Stad
1.Cathedral of Our Lady
Inside hang four Rubens altarpieces, including The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross, made famous in Europe through the novel A Dog of Flanders.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
.jpg){kind=link}
Landmark · Oude Stad
2.Grote Markt and City Hall
In the centre, the Brabo fountain shows the legendary Roman soldier throwing the giant's severed hand, a story linked to the city's name.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Museum · Oude Stad
3.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
4.Red Star Line Museum
A tower added to the warehouses has a viewing platform over the docks.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Views
.JPG){kind=link}
Castle · Oude Stad
5.Het Steen
In front of it stands a statue of Lange Wapper, a giant from local folklore.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Religious site · Oude Stad
6.St. Charles Borromeo Church
A fire in 1718 destroyed most of his ceiling paintings, but the Baroque façade, the marble Lady Chapel and carved confessionals remain.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Art
- History
Religious site · Oude Stad
7.St. Paul's Church
Its outdoor Calvary garden has dozens of life-size statues.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Oude Stad
8.Vleeshuis
The striking striped brick-and-stone Butchers' Hall from the early 16th century now houses a museum of musical instruments and sound, including harpsichords made in Antwerp by the Ruckers family.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Oude Stad | Cathedral of Our Lady, Grote Markt and City Hall, Museum Plantin-Moretus, Het Steen, St. Charles Borromeo Church, St. Paul's Church and Vleeshuis | 1 hour + 30 minutes + 2 hours + 45 minutes + 30 minutes + 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| Eilandje | Red Star Line Museum | 1.5–2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 3 free, 2 low cost, 3 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Museum Plantin-Moretus; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Oude Stad): Cathedral of Our Lady → Grote Markt and City Hall → Museum Plantin-Moretus → Het Steen, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Oude Stad and Eilandje): St. Charles Borromeo Church → St. Paul's Church → Vleeshuis → Red Star Line Museum, at least 4 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- February: highs of 7°C (45°F), about 10 rainy days, quiet crowds. One of the quietest months; good for museums and cafés.
- March: highs of 11°C (52°F), about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds. Days lengthen and terraces reopen on sunny afternoons.
- January: highs of 6°C (43°F), about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cold and grey, but museums are quiet and sales start in shops.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Oude Stad — Guildhouses, the cathedral and cobbled lanes around the Grote Markt
- Eilandje — Converted docks with the MAS, the Red Star Line Museum and waterfront bars
More of Antwerp
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Antwerp?
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.
+Which of these are free in Antwerp?
Grote Markt and City Hall, St. Charles Borromeo Church and St. Paul's Church.