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Antwerp Travel Guide
Rubens, diamonds and a Railway Cathedral. Belgium’s port city is grittier, more creative and easier to cover than its famous neighbours.
This Antwerp travel guide covers a working port city that has plenty of beauty: Gothic and Baroque landmarks, a legendary station, a diamond trade, and some of Belgium’s best food and fashion. Bruges gets the fairytale reputation, but Antwerp is where Belgium gets interesting.
Here you’ll find the sights worth your time, what things cost, how to get around, day trips and where to stay. The centre is compact and walkable, so Antwerp works as a long weekend or an easy day trip from Brussels.
Antwerp at a Glance
| Attraction | Time needed | Cost | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral of Our Lady | 45 to 60 minutes | About €12 (under 18s free) | Check hours first |
| Antwerp Central Station | 15 to 30 minutes | Free | No |
| Grote Markt and Brabo Fountain | 30 to 45 minutes | Free | No |
| MAS rooftop panorama | 30 to 60 minutes | Free | No |
| Plantin-Moretus Museum | 1.5 to 2 hours | About €12 (€8 concession) | Yes, timed entry |
| Sint-Anna Tunnel | 30 to 45 minutes | Free | No |
| Antwerp Zoo | 3 to 4 hours | About €29 adult | Yes, buy online |
Detailed Antwerp Guides
Our in-depth guides to Antwerp. Each one goes further than the overview below.
Best Things to Do in Antwerp
Cathedral of Our Lady
The Cathedral of Our Lady is Belgium’s tallest church, with a 123-metre tower that dominates the skyline. Inside, look for the altarpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, the Antwerp master whose paintings define the city’s art.
Arrive early to avoid queues, and check the opening hours before you go, as services and events can close parts of the nave.
About €12, under 18s free. Allow 45 to 60 minutes.
Antwerp Central Station
Often called the “Railway Cathedral”, Antwerp Central was built between 1895 and 1905 and crowned with a 75-metre dome and a glass-and-steel canopy over the platforms. It is still a working station, so you can walk in and admire it for free.
It sits next to the zoo and the diamond district, which makes it an easy first stop.
Free. Allow 15 to 30 minutes.
Grote Markt and the Brabo Fountain
The Grote Markt is the old town’s main square, surrounded by gabled guild houses and the town hall. At its centre, Jef Lambeaux’s Brabo Fountain (1887) tells the founding legend of Antwerp, in which a hero throws a giant’s severed hand into the Scheldt.
Free. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Come at the start or end of the day for the fewest crowds.
MAS Rooftop Panorama
The red sandstone MAS tower in the Eilandje harbour district has a free rooftop panorama over the city and port. You do not need a museum ticket for the view, but it closes on Mondays and in bad weather.
Plantin-Moretus Museum
A UNESCO World Heritage printing house with a 16th-century courtyard and some of the oldest printing presses in the world. Entry is timed, so book online.
Sint-Anna Tunnel
A 572-metre pedestrian tunnel under the Scheldt, opened in 1933, with the original wooden escalators. It is free, open around the clock, and a quirky riverside detour.
Het Steen and the Riverfront
A short walk from the Grote Markt, Het Steen is a medieval waterfront fortress with a small visitor centre, linked to the Brabo legend.
Port House
Zaha Hadid’s glass extension, perched on top of an old fire station, is best seen from outside, and pairs well with the MAS.
Diamond District and Zurenborg
Antwerp is a global centre of the diamond trade, centred on Hoveniersstraat near the station. The Art Nouveau streets of Zurenborg, led by Cogels-Osylei, are the architectural treat further out.
Our full ranking of the top 12, with the Rubens House, the zoo and the Antwerp specifics, is in the detailed guide.
Read our full Antwerp things to do guide →Book Tours and Tickets in Antwerp
Guided walks, harbour cruises and tastings, with free cancellation on many options. Availability is live.
Eating and Drinking
Antwerp shares Belgium’s food culture, from fries and waffles to chocolate and a deep bench of beers, and it has some city-specific treats. Look for Antwerpse handjes, small biscuits and chocolates shaped like a hand, a nod to the Brabo legend. Local beer is traditionally served in a round glass called a bolleke.
The easiest way to taste your way around is a guided chocolate and beer tasting, which also explains what you are drinking.
Chocolate and Beer Tastings
A guided tasting is a good first-evening activity.
Antwerp at Christmas
Antwerp’s Christmas market, known as Winter in Antwerp, is held in the lit-up old town, with over 100 stalls, an ice rink, a Ferris wheel and food stands serving waffles and mulled wine. One visitor guide lists the 2026 season as 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, but check the city’s official site before booking, because dates are confirmed late in the year.
Go in the evening, when the lights are on. If the market is your main reason to visit, stay near the old town; for a wider trip, stay near Central Station. See our Christmas Market Dates in Europe page for the other cities.
Day Trips from Antwerp
Bruges
Medieval canals and cobbled squares, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours away by train. See our best things to do in Bruges.
Brussels
The Grand Place, comic murals and chocolate, around 40 minutes by train. See our best things to do in Brussels.
Ghent
A lively canal city with a medieval castle, about an hour away by train.
Getting There and Around
By train
Antwerp is one of the easiest cities to reach in Belgium. Antwerpen-Centraal is a major hub, with direct trains from Brussels Airport in about 30 minutes, from Brussels in about 40 minutes and from Amsterdam Schiphol in around 75 minutes on a direct service. Times vary by train, so check the operator’s timetable.
Around the city
The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot. Trams cover the farther sights such as Zurenborg and the zoo area, and a bike is a popular way to cover the riverfront and harbour.
When to Visit
Spring and early autumn are the best seasons for walking, with milder weather and fewer crowds than midsummer. Summer brings long days and extended rooftop hours at the MAS. Bring a waterproof at any time of year, since Belgian weather is changeable. December is the season for the Christmas market, with the city at its most atmospheric after dark.
Two-Day Itinerary
Old town and landmarks
Start at Central Station, walk to the Grote Markt and the Cathedral of Our Lady, then follow the riverfront to Het Steen. Cross under the Scheldt in the Sint-Anna Tunnel, and finish with a beer tasting.
Harbour and design
Head to the Eilandje district for the MAS rooftop view and the Port House, then spend the afternoon at the Plantin-Moretus Museum. Finish in the diamond district or the Art Nouveau streets of Zurenborg.
Where to Stay
For sightseeing, base yourself in the old town around the Grote Markt and the Cathedral, so most sights are a short walk away. Staying near Antwerp Central Station is more convenient for trains and day trips, and the area has a good choice of hotels.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Antwerp?
Two days is enough to cover the main sights at a relaxed pace. Add a third day for day trips to Bruges, Ghent or Brussels, which are all within about an hour or so by train.
What is Antwerp best known for?
Antwerp is known for the painter Peter Paul Rubens, its landmark Central Station, the global diamond trade, fashion and design, and as one of Europe’s biggest ports.
Is Antwerp worth visiting compared with Bruges?
Yes, if you prefer a working, creative city over a medieval theme-park feel. Antwerp has fewer crowds, more variety in food and design, and plenty of free sights. Many visitors combine both.
How do I get from Brussels to Antwerp?
Take a direct train from Brussels to Antwerpen-Centraal, which takes about 40 minutes. Trains from Brussels Airport take roughly 30 minutes. Check the operator’s timetable for the current schedule.
Are the main sights in Antwerp free?
Several are: Central Station, the Grote Markt, the MAS rooftop panorama, the Sint-Anna Tunnel and the Port House exterior. Paid sights include the Cathedral, the Plantin-Moretus Museum and the zoo.
When is the Antwerp Christmas market?
The market is held in the old town in December. One guide lists 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, but confirm dates on the city’s official site before you book.
Explore More of Belgium
Disclosure: Route & Stay may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices, opening hours and dates change, so always confirm on the official websites before you go.
Going beyond Antwerp?
Explore our guides to Brussels, Bruges and more of Belgium, same no-fluff approach, every destination.