Travel tips · Antwerp · Belgium
Antwerp travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Antwerpenaars are known for their pride in their city, sometimes jokingly called 'the centre of the world'. It is a trading city with large Jewish, Moroccan and Indian communities linked to the port and diamond trade, and a creative scene shaped by its fashion and art academies.
Key facts
- Language
- Dutch
- Currency
- EUR
- 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
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Antwerp is Dutch-speaking; greeting in Dutch or English is better received than French.
- Greet staff with 'Dag' or 'Goeiedag' when entering shops.
- Respect the privacy of the Orthodox Jewish community in the Diamond Quarter; ask before photographing people.
- Watch for cyclists and trams in shared streets.
- Wait to be seated in restaurants rather than choosing a table.
- Book KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts) ahead: Booking a timed slot online is recommended at weekends.
- The MAS rooftop, Central Station, the Grote Markt, the Sint-Annatunnel and the Middelheim Museum cost nothing.
Tipping
Service is included in Belgium. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated but not expected.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dag | Hello / goodbye |
| Dank u wel | Thank you |
| Een bolleke, alstublieft | A De Koninck beer, please |
| De rekening, alstublieft | The bill, please |
| Santé | Cheers |
What to wear
Antwerp is fashion-conscious, so smart-casual clothes fit in; bring a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for cobbles.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink, though many locals drink bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is excellent and free Wi-Fi is common; EU roaming applies to European SIMs.
- Time zone
- Europe/Brussels
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Belgium's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Antwerp?
Service is included in Belgium. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated but not expected.
+Can you drink the tap water in Antwerp?
Tap water is safe to drink, though many locals drink bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Antwerp?
Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Antwerp?
Dutch.