With kids · Antwerp · Belgium
Antwerp with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Antwerp is easy with children: the zoo next to the station, the MAS rooftop, Het Steen and the Sint-Annatunnel's wooden escalators all appeal, and the centre is compact and largely flat. Top picks: Antwerp Zoo, MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) and Het Steen. Families usually base themselves in Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 5
- Best area for families
- Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter
- Rainy-day options
- 1
Best things to do with kids
Zoo · Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter
1.Antwerp Zoo
Founded in 1843 next to what is now Central Station, Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world, with 19th-century animal houses such as the Egyptian temple-style elephant building, an aquarium and a planetarium, alongside modern enclosures.
Combine it with the station; the zoo entrance is on Koningin Astridplein, right next to the station's main hall.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Architecture
- Outdoors
Museum · Eilandje
2.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. Escalators wind up through a glass gallery to a free rooftop with a 360-degree view over the docks, river and old town.
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
3.Het Steen
The oldest building in Antwerp, a medieval fortress on the Scheldt, now houses the city's visitor centre and an exhibition on Antwerp's story. In front of it stands a statue of Lange Wapper, a giant from local folklore.
Walk the raised riverside promenade beside it for views along the Scheldt.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Historic site · Linkeroever
4.Sint-Annatunnel
A pedestrian and cyclist tunnel opened in 1933 runs about 570 metres under the Scheldt to the left bank, reached by original wooden escalators and tiled entrance halls. On the far side, the riverside gives the classic view back to the old town skyline.
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
Park · Wilrijk
5.Middelheim Museum
An open-air sculpture museum in a large park on the city's southern edge, with works by Rodin, Henry Moore and contemporary artists placed among lawns and woodland. Entry is free.
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
Rainy-day ideas
- MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) — Even if you skip the galleries, ride the free escalators to the rooftop at sunset.
Where families should stay
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and budget
Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter
Around Antwerp Central Station, the Diamond Quarter's Hoveniersstraat and Pelikaanstraat hold diamond exchanges and jewellers, and the zoo is right next to the station. It is the most practical base for train travel, with many mid-range hotels, and the Meir leads straight into the old town in about 15 minutes on foot.
- Good
- Next to the station for day trips; Good-value hotels; Zoo on the doorstep
- Watch out
- Some streets feel rough at night; Busy traffic around Koningin Astridplein
- Nearby
- Antwerp Central Station, Antwerp Zoo, DIVA, Meir
Family travel tips
- Children under 6 usually travel free on De Lijn trams.
- Combine the zoo with Central Station and a waffle on the Meir.
- The left bank's Sint-Anneke riverside is a good place to run around on sunny days.
- Cobbles can be bumpy for strollers in the old town; use pavements where possible.
- Frituur fries are an easy, child-friendly lunch.
Day trips for families
- Mechelen (About 15–20 minutes by train) — Mechelen's St.
- Lier (About 15 minutes by train) — A small town with a beguinage, the Gothic St.
When to go with children
The best months overall are May–September. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Antwerp good for kids?
Antwerp is easy with children: the zoo next to the station, the MAS rooftop, Het Steen and the Sint-Annatunnel's wooden escalators all appeal, and the centre is compact and largely flat.
+What can kids do in Antwerp?
Antwerp Zoo, MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), Het Steen, Sint-Annatunnel and Middelheim Museum.
+Where should families stay in Antwerp?
Stationsbuurt and Diamond Quarter: The grand Central Station, the zoo and the diamond trade's streets.